Bankruptcy Store| Forms | Books | Software | Online Services | Whether or not you decide to handle your bankruptcy yourself, many people find it useful to buy a book on the subject to get the lay of the land before plunging ahead and spending money on a lawyer. Although there are mistakes you can make in handling a bankruptcy yourself, starting with a good book on the subject can reduce this risk considerably -- and it can help you keep an eye on your lawyer and work with them more efficiently. Books don't charge by the hour. ADVERTISEMENTS -
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Nolo Online BookstoreNolo is a well-respected publisher of books and software designed to help people handle their own legal affairs. Their website features many helpful articles on a wide variety of topics, including bankruptcy. You can also buy Nolo products there. (DISCLAIMER: I co-author a book for Nolo on bankruptcy, so... yes, I tend to recommend Nolo books -- for the same reason I write for Nolo; because I think Nolo is an honest, decent company that produces quality products.) Step-by-Step GuidesChapter 7 | Chapter 13 | Credit Repair The following books take you step by step through the filing process, including how to fill in the standard federal bankruptcy forms used for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.. How to File for
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by
Attorney James Caher. 
Foreclosure Survival Guide
Keep Your House or Walk Away With Money In Your Pocket 
(periodical) Help Topics
Do I Need a Lawyer?
There is no requirement to use a lawyer to file for bankruptcy. However, some people decide to hire one to help them get through the process.
Whether you're a good candidate for doing it yourself, depends on the complexity of your financial situation, and your willingness to take the time to learn the rules of bankruptcy. (If you're not the type of person that is willing to follow instructions carefully, then self-help is probably not for you.)
Your Financial Situation
If your debts consist only of unsecured credit card debt, you may well be able to file for bankruptcy on your own.
However, other factors to consider are the amount and type of property you own. If you own your home, have substantial retirement savings, or other substantial assets you may want to consult with a lawyer to make sure your property is not at risk.
A good way to approach the decision of whether to hire a lawyer is to buy (and read) Nolo's book How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. It will give you a good idea of what issues may arise when you file, and flags specific situations when a lawyer's help is called for. It will also give you a good idea of whether the filing process seems to complicated for you.
If your financial situation is simple, but you just don't want to deal with the forms, you might consider a using a Bankruptcy Petition Preparer to handle the form preparation.
Some lawyers may be willing to review your situation without taking on your entire case. If they see that your situation is very simple, some lawyers might even tell you that you can do it yourself.
One option is to get limited help from a lawyer combined with the services of a bankruptcy petition preparer. If you live in California, see www.bankruptcylawproject.com for more information about their "Affordable Attorney Advice" service, which, for a flat rate of $100, will answer all questions that may arise in the course of your bankruptcy, but not actually file bankruptcy for you. (Disclaimer: This service is run by my friend and co-author, Attorney Stephen Elias. But I think what he's doing is pretty innovative and useful and so I list it here.)
Other Resources, Other Opinions
Lots of people have opinions on the topic of whether you should get a lawyer. Most lawyers... guess what... think you should always have a lawyer. But, seriously, they make some worthwhile points that are worth reading as you decide what to do.
The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) makes the case of why you should use an attorney and offers tips for those who cannot afford one.
The law firm of Moran Law Group, in addition to providing loads of useful free information about bankruptcy, also makes the case why you should get a lawyer and the US Courts site has this advice about filing without an attorney.
And, my Nolo co author, Stephen Elias has written a blog post on Using Non-Lawyers to Help You With Your Bankruptcy
These are all worth reading.
What should I expect from a lawyer?
If you hire a lawyer, make sure your lawyer is an experienced bankruptcy lawyer. Bankruptcy is a complex, unique area of law that is not something that a general practitioner can learn overnight. Ask your lawyer how many bankruptcies they have filed.
Your lawyer will probably have you fill in a questionnaire about your property, debts, expenses and income. A good lawyer will be able to determine quickly what kinds of debts will be dischargeable in bankruptcy. The lawyer should advise you to get credit counseling before you file, and will may even have a computer terminal in their office where you can do the counseling right there, online. Many lawyers have preferred credit counselors that they work with.
Lawyers are responsible for making sure that your information is accurate, so they will be asking you to bring in documentation about your finances, including pay stubs, tax returns, etc.
For more information about working with a bankruptcy attorney,
check out Chapter 10 of How
to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
What is a "BPP" (Bankruptcy Petition Preparer)?
Bankruptcy Petition Preparers are non-lawyers paid by consumers to prepare bankruptcy documents, for filing in court.
Anyone can be a BPP, provided they comply with the rules governing BPP practice contained in the bankruptcy code.
Customers who use a BPP are representing themselves in the bankruptcy court. This means they are responsible for making the choices required of them in their case. They must also provide the BPP with complete and accurate information to be entered in the documents.
Because BPPs are not lawyers, their customers must obtain necessary legal information and advice from an independent source such as a self-help law book or a lawyer.
Think of it this way, A BPP's customers are their own lawyers and the BPP is thewww.bankruptcylawproject.com.
Bankruptcy Software for Consumers
A relative newcomer to online bankruptcy form preparation is a service geared toward self-helpers, called BKParaDox. It has licensed the Nolo bankruptcy book to be used as a resource in conjunction with their online bankruptcy form filling tools. One unique aspect to their product is their arrangement with "LegalHelpers", promising to credit the cost of the online form preparation service, if you eventually decide to abandon the the do-it-yourself approach and turn over your case to a lawyer retained through LegalHelpers.com
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