Do you need a lawyer if you are filing for bankruptcy?

Answer 1

No, an attorney is not needed to file bankruptcy in any state or federal court. However, the petitioner should be completely educated on the state or federal procedures as even what appears to be a "simple" BK can become complexed and costly.

Answer 2

Yes - but you know what they say about a person who represents himself...he has a fool for a client.

In all seriousness...you can download the forms and file them yourself....but I wouldn't advise it.

And getting in your face a bit: You understand that the main reason people go bankrupt, that is, fail to abide by and live up to their promises...like paying back what they promise to as they promised to, when they borrow what they want.....is because they make a number...that is regularly...bad decisions. They may not understand the consequences...and generally think the consequences are something else. Ignorance and misunderstanding are not adequate defenses in court. The repercussions of doing something wrong...can be...and is to many, fatal to their BK case or at least, not the result they expected. (And, there are things you can do, which because they may be considered against the promises you make to the court, that are criminal and prosecuted as fraud).

In BK you ask the Courts to protect you from your creditors...because your creditors have rights to do things you don't want. In reality, you need to start to protect yourself...from yourself. SO, IF YOU DIDN'T REALIZE THAT JUST LIKE YOU CAN DEFEND & REPRESENT YOURSELF EVEN FOR MASS MURDER, OR ANYTHING (it's a very basic principal)....you better get a lawyer. Oh....consider virtually all of your creditors will have lawyers, if not teams of them, specializing in just this field, to make sure whatever errors you make they get the advantage of....gee, imagine that...those absolutely knowegable about these things...those your going to try and beat or get a result you want from...all have lawyers, even though, like you, they may not "need" one. Think you might?

Oh yeah....you understand the difference between State and Federal Laws and which courts handle them of course....and as BK is ALWAYS handled in a FEDERAL Bankrutpcy Court (its own court system)..your State is basically irrelevant. And of course, common sense should tell you that it has to be something done nationally (gonna go BK on a credit card or mrtgage or car loan....made by a NATIONAL company aren't you, want to include all your debts don't you....maybe YOUR in Texas...but where are the others that are involved....if a State thing...wouldn't it make sense you go to them?)

Yup...do it yourself.

Answer 3

no