COVID-19 has overwhelmed many Americans with financial problems. You’re not alone. If you want to stop foreclosure, repossession, wage garnishment, or creditor harassment from all your debt problems, bankruptcy protection offers one of the best options for debt relief.
While it is possible to file for bankruptcy without a lawyer (known as a pro se filing), you stand a much better chance at a secure financial future with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. In this article, we’ll discuss the downsides of filing bankruptcy without an attorney as well as the advantages of hiring one when you go bankrupt.
Even if you’re just considering bankruptcy, it’s better to consult with an experienced Upland bankruptcy lawyer. They’ll consider your case along with the relevant bankruptcy laws. Call us now for more bankruptcy information!
3 Risks of Pro Se Bankruptcy Filing
More Expensive Bankruptcy Proceedings
A competent bankruptcy lawyer has the knowledge and skill to navigate through the complicated bankruptcy law efficiently and effectively. When you file your petition, you’ll feel like everyone will be against you, because they’re all looking out for their interest. Your creditors will fight tooth and nail to get you to pay and deny your discharge.
A reliable Upland bankruptcy attorney will fight and negotiate on your behalf regardless of which personal bankruptcy you filed for.
Risk of Bankruptcy Fraud
The bankruptcy petition requires you to provide all assets and sources of income to the judge and the bankruptcy trustee. If you miss any of these, the bankruptcy court may perceive you are performing bankruptcy fraud.
The attorney fees are certainly nothing compared to the jail time you’ll face if you’re convicted of fraud.
Mistakes in Filing
There is a certain way to go through the bankruptcy process. If you miss any small detail, the judge can throw out your case and you’ll miss out on the bankruptcy protection. Not to mention, you may not be able to file bankruptcy for some time after that. If there’s any mistake with listing your assets and liabilities, it could affect your discharge and you could lose your property in the process.
An experienced bankruptcy attorney has handled enough bankruptcies that they can do it in their sleep. Be debt-free with the legal help of an attorney!
The Benefits of Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer
Someone Else Fills out the Paperwork
As mentioned, you can get a lawyer to fill out all the bankruptcy forms. Aside from an accurate filing, you’ll also avoid the hassle of filling all those forms, listing your asset liabilities, and acquiring all the necessary documents.
Better Odds to Get Approved
All the statistics show that bankruptcy cases with a lawyer involved saw significantly higher success rates than those who filed pro se. An attorney from a reliable bankruptcy law firm will increase your chances to wipe out your debt.
You’ll Have All Your Bankruptcy Options Laid Out
A lawyer will evaluate your case and know the options available to you. Before declaring bankruptcy, it may be better for you to undergo debt consolidation or debt settlement for the repayment of any debt owed.
If the best option is bankruptcy, then the attorney should tell you which type of bankruptcy from the US bankruptcy code is more apt for your case. Whether it’s a Chapter 7 liquidation or a Chapter 13 reorganization payment plan, your attorney will inform you of your eligibility via the means test, and which is much better for your situation.
Deal with Annoying Collectors
When you file for bankruptcy, the court orders an automatic stay. This stops or prevents any collection efforts and collection calls from any entity: collection agencies, individual debt collectors, or other lawyers. This also prevents you from getting sued for your unpaid debt
Eliminate Dischargeable Debt
A bankruptcy discharge eliminates your liability with the debt. In other words, if your debt gets discharged, you don’t need to repay them after bankruptcy.
Of course, not all debts incurred can be discharged. An attorney can look at all your secured debt and unsecured debt you have to determine which bankruptcy chapter can help you discharge them. Whether it’s tax debt, student loan debt, alimony, credit card debt, or medical debt, or whatever types of debt, your attorney should know how to handle these.
Ask your lawyer which of your debt is exempt and nonexempt from discharge.
What are you waiting for? Call us Now!
If you’re struggling with debt, and find it difficult to pay off, call our Upland Bankruptcy Lawyers for assistance! As we keep saying, an experienced attorney is key when you go bankrupt and want to get out of debt.
The bankruptcy attorneys from the Law Offices of Marc Grossman are here to help any debtor with filing for bankruptcy. Whether you’re facing harassing phone calls, home foreclosure, our lawyers will be there to provide their service and give you a fresh start at a financially free life!
Make that first step to rebuilding your financial security and gaining your financial freedom by calling our Upland bankruptcy law office now!