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You Don’t Need An Expensive Attorney To File For Bankruptcy

Stephen Elias, a California bankruptcy attorney, prominent author and specialist in bankruptcy law, advocates non-attorney, cheap bankruptcy alternatives this way:

“There is seldom a good reason to use an attorney in a consumer Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. The procedures are almost exclusively administrative — that is, there is no appearance before a judge. The forms are all (with very few exceptions) pre-printed in plain English… (But, in spite of that fact), what’s tragic is that people actually think they have to have attorney representation (to be able to do it.)”

File for Bankruptcy in California

If you are looking for help filing a cheap bankruptcy in California, seek out a reputable bankruptcy petition preparer. Before you file, get educated! Read our important tips for people who are considering filing bankruptcy and learn how filing bankruptcy may affect your credit score.

Which type of bankruptcy proceeding is right for you?

Tired of creditor calls? Buried in debt that you are unable to pay? In today’s economic crisis, you are not alone. Filing chapter 7 bankruptcy or a chapter 13 reorganization can be a way to eliminate debt and provide a way for people to obtain a “new beginning.” When you file for bankruptcy in California, the bankruptcy process can either eliminate an individual’s responsibility to pay a debt or claim if the debt can be discharged under current bankruptcy laws, or force creditors to accept a court approved restructured payment program.

Chapter 7 is the most common bankruptcy proceeding filed by individuals or married couples. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is known a a “regular” Bankruptcy case where an individual or business (self-employed individual that is not a corporation) (the “Debtor) can file a bankruptcy petition to eliminate their debt obligations. Debtors can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy no matter how small or how large their debt obligations are. In most Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceedings, most, if not all, of the debtor’s property can be protected. (See “Protecting Property”)

Get Informed

The bankruptcy forms required by the Bankruptcy Court are extensive. A typical bankruptcy consists of 60 to 80 pages of documentation! Choosing  a Bankruptcy Petitioner Preparer (BPP) to prepare your Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a simple way to prepare your bankruptcy documentation. Keep in mind that a BPP is a self-help service, which means that in the end, you are responsible for the outcome of your legal paperwork. Most importantly, a BPP cannot provide legal advice. It is important that you, as a debtor, understand the bankruptcy process.

When you file for bankruptcy in California under Chapter 13, you repay all or part of your debt through a three- to five-year repayment plan. Chapter 13 is often filed by people facing foreclosure on their home, people who may want to keep these assets that might not be protected in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or people that are not eligible to file Chapter 7. When you file for bankruptcy in California under Chapter 13, you will submit a repayment plan to the court. After submitting the plan, you will need to start making payments to the court (who then pays your creditors) within 30 days from the date you filed your proceeding. Although creditors can object to the proposed repayment plan, the judge has the final say. After your plan has been approved, you will continue making payments to the court. Once you’ve completed your Chapter 13 payment plan, any remaining dischargeable debt is discharged and you are no longer responsible for them.
    We no longer offer bankruptcy services. If you are in the Central District of California, this court offers a FREE document preparation service through the court's electronic Self-Representation (eSR) bankruptcy petition preparation system website which can be accessed here. We have positive input from many individuals who have used this system so we would encourage you to check it out!

    Bankruptcy Services We Offer

    Our office no longer offers bankruptcy document preparation. If you are in the Central District of California, this court offers a FREE document preparation service through the court's electronic Self-Representation (eSR) bankruptcy petition preparation system website which can be accessed here.We have positive input from many individuals who have used this system so we would encourage you to check it out!