How Can I Get Help With Bankruptcy?
If you don’t have the funds to pay for an attorney you can get one free through your state’s bar association. Some firms even require ten percent or more of their caseloads to be pro bono. You can hire a petition preparation service to handle the paperwork if you cannot afford a bankruptcy attorney. Although a petition preparer won’t provide legal advice, they can trigger an automatic stay if the fee is not paid.
Pro bono legal services
Houston’s William S. Boyd School of Law sponsors a program that provides free legal services to people in need. To learn more about your options, qualified individuals who are not represented in bankruptcy cases may attend the free class. Afterwards, they can apply for pro bono services by submitting an application packet. The Pro Bono Project evaluates the cases to determine if they are eligible for the services. Once a client is qualified, pro bono lawyers assist them with the preparation of their case documents, filing, as well as any other steps.
Another group that provides pro bono legal assistance to low-income residents is the NYC Bankruptcy Assistance Project. NYC BAP attorneys provide bankruptcy representation to people who are self-represented. These cases usually involve student loans, whose dischargeability is crucial to the bankruptcy process. These attorneys are independent contractors, and are not supervised by the firm. Clients are always offered pro bono legal services regardless of how they are provided.
Alternatives to bankruptcy
The good news is that there are several alternatives to bankruptcy. The credit counseling society offers many alternatives to bankruptcy. These may include debt consolidation loans, debt repayment programs, and the Consumer Proposal. Visit the Credit Counselling Society to find out more. You can combine multiple options to bankruptcy if you have too many debts. Some people might find that combining multiple options works best for them. Listed below are some of these options:
Debt settlement can help you avoid bankruptcy. Another option to bankruptcy is debt consolidation. This involves taking out large loans to pay off your debts. This can help you make one single payment instead of many, while giving you a lower interest rate. If you are in financial difficulty and can’t pay your bills on time, this may be the best option. Talk to your creditors about the options available and the benefits.
Cost of filing for bankruptcy
The cost of filing for bankruptcy can be very high. If you are a pro-se filer, you may be able to save money by filing your bankruptcy on your own. But be warned that a bankruptcy case that you file on your own is likely to be dismissed and you will have to face your creditors. It can cost anywhere from $1500 to $3500 to hire a bankruptcy lawyer. The average indebted household carries over $15,000 in credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and underwater home second mortgages. The cost of filing bankruptcy will vary from one state to another, from one district to the next, and from bankruptcy attorney to bankruptcy lawyer.
Many people file bankruptcy on their own, saving money and avoiding the need to hire a lawyer. But they don’t realize the amount of bankruptcy costs they will have to pay in attorney fees. This is because they are trying to save money and are short of cash. If you have many assets to liquidate, the attorney fee is usually worth it. However, a bankruptcy attorney will likely be able offer you lower fees than filing for bankruptcy yourself.
Locating a lawyer to handle your case
Before you hire a bankruptcy lawyer, you will need to get a copy your credit report. This is important to bankrupty attorneys before they can take your case. If your credit report has become outdated, you might want to get a fresh one. Also, get a copy of all your current bills. A good bankruptcy attorney will have several recommendations, including a referral from a friend who has recently filed for bankruptcy.
The state bar association’s website is another good source. The State Bar website has links to report lawyers who practice unauthorizedly. The American Bankruptcy Institute has a list of pro bono lawyers who will take your case at no cost or at a reduced price. These are great options for those who don’t have the budget to hire a lawyer. Avvo is also a good resource.