You may have always been the type of person who is very private about their personal finances. Well, this may be doubly the case if you are currently going through a rough patch with your finances. And if you have to turn to bankruptcy, you may be too ashamed to involve an attorney and for them to learn just how terrible of a situation you got yourself into. Well, for this, please follow along to find out whether you can file for bankruptcy without an attorney and how a proficient Rockland County bankruptcy attorney at The Law Offices of Allen A. Kolber, Esq., P.C. can step in if you ever change your mind.
Can I realistically file for bankruptcy without an attorney?
In the United States, you may be allowed to file for consumer bankruptcy without being represented by an attorney. If so, you may be classified as a pro se litigant. You may still garner outside help at this time, though. That is, a non-attorney petition preparer may offer you their services. This individual may prepare all your necessary bankruptcy forms on your behalf. Specifically, they may answer all the posed questions, provide their signature, printed name, address, and Social Security number, and give you a copy of all the forms.
Importantly, though, you must understand that a non-attorney petition preparer is barred by law from offering your legal advice, answering your legal questions, and guiding you through your bankruptcy case proceedings. The same goes for court employees and bankruptcy judges. With that said, it may be in your best interest to employ a pro se law clerk. This individual may be authorized to advise you on court procedures and bankruptcy forms to better ensure that your case is handled fairly and efficiently.
What are the potential drawbacks of not hiring a bankruptcy attorney?
While you may still have outside assistance as a pro se litigant, this level of support cannot compare to what is offered by an experienced bankruptcy attorney. You can not underestimate just how complex the bankruptcy process can be, especially if you are someone who has never gone through this before. So, any small misunderstanding of the bankruptcy law or misstep in the bankruptcy procedures may compromise your rights.
For example, you may jeopardize your opportunity to get your eligible debts discharged at your case’s close. Or, in a worst-case scenario, you may be accused and subsequently charged with bankruptcy fraud over an unintentional, accidental action. This may be followed by serious criminal consequences, which may just be about the last thing you need.
No matter what, you do not need to feel alone in this process. A talented Rockland County bankruptcy attorney is ready to be in your corner and support you throughout. So please reach out to The Law Offices of Allen A. Kolber, Esq., P.C. whenever you are ready.
