This Week's Topic

This Week’s Topic: Filing chapter 7 without an attorney

Filing bankruptcy without an attorney isn’t for the feint of heart, but it is possible (particularly with a little bit of help).

There’s lots of help online if you want to prepare and file your own bankruptcy petition. There are books on the subject by publishers like Nolo Press. And the Bankruptcy Court has the petition package, with instructions, on its website: www.uscourts.gov. If you go that route, you’ll probably learn more about bankruptcy than you ever wanted (or needed) to know.

I’ve reviewed a lot of petitions that people have filled out themselves and I have yet to see one that was filled out correctly.

That’s where I come in. I’m a bankruptcy attorney in California and I can act as your coach as you navigate the rocky parts of filing bankruptcy and keep you from making any painful mistakes.

I said this newsletter was for people wanting to file bankruptcy without an attorney. So what gives?

I’ve filed hundreds of bankruptcy cases for my clients. But, I know that many people can’t afford an attorney, so I have something to offer that falls somewhere in between doing it yourself and hiring an attorney to do it for you. I call it “Do-It-Yourself Chapter 7.” And it’s better than using a petition preparer because it includes some legal advice.

It’s only for California residents (where I’m licensed to practice).

You’ll learn everything you need to know to file your own bankruptcy.

You’ll download the forms and start filling them out.

You’ll get your questions answered.

Once you've filled out the paperwork, you’ll email it to me and I’ll review it and mark it up for you to revise.

Then we’ll talk on the phone so we can discuss your case and the revisions that need to be made. And I’ll answer your questions. We’ll also talk about what happens after you file and what to expect at your 341a.

When you’ve made the revisions, email it to me again and I’ll review it once more and make sure it’s ready to file.

So what does this service cost? For a simple chapter 7, my fee is $500.00, payable in two installments ($250 before we start, and $250 before our telephone conversation). If you have to pass the “means test” because your annual income is more than the median income for a family your size, it’s an additional $250 for me to help you with the means test.

As an introductory offer, “Do-It-Yourself Chapter 7” is only $450.00. The means test (if you need it), is an additional $225.00. The price goes up to $500.00 and $250.00 on March 15, 2024.

If you’d like to sign up, email me at [email protected]. Please include your name and address, and your phone number.

If it turns out your case is too complicated (because you have too many assets to protect or because you don’t pass the means test), we’ll talk ab out what to do next.

Tip for the week: The first step in preparing to file bankruptcy is to pull your credit report and make a list of your creditors (with addresses, the last 4 digits of the account number, and the amount owed).

Next week’s topic: What’s the downside of filing bankruptcy?