Software instead of attorney?

[blessedmommy]

Can anyone recommend a good software so I can file myself instead of hire attorney? I really can't afford an attorney and I don't think my bk will be too difficult as its all credit card and 1 personal loan. No mortgage or auto loans.

[HHM]

For chapter 13, I don't know of any. The only software that is freely available is the Best Case Demo, but I believe it is only for chapter 7.

Frankly, there is NO SUCH THING as a simple chapter 13. In fact, why are you considering a chapter 13. Filing out the forms represents only about 35% of what makes a chapter 13 successful, the rest has to do with knowing the ins and outs of your local BK districts and the peculiarities of the bankruptcy trustee and the judges in your area, no software can provide you that insight.

[debtinohio]

The software will cost you more than an attorney.

You could look at the NOLO book, but I would suggest getting an attorney - 1 mistake on your part and you could easily cost yourself more than what you would have paid an attorney. You should expect to put $1000-1500 down and the rest of the fees would be in your plan.

[blessedmommy]

http://www.standardlegal.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=SLS506

this is the software I saw. There is another one on ebay.

[blessedmommy]

[/QUOTE]Frankly, there is NO SUCH THING as a simply chapter 13. In fact, why are you considering a chapter 13. Filing out the forms represents only about 35% of what makes a chapter 13 successful, the rest has to do with knowing the ins and outs of your local BK districts and the peculiarities of the bankruptcy trustee and the judges in your area, no software can provide you that insight.[/QUOTE]

I am filing because we lost income and I am trying to do a debt settlement program and now am getting summons for going to court and some are wanting to garnish wages. We have 7 cards now. about $30,000 in unsecured debt and about $4000 in secured debt (3 cars are calatoral on a personal loan)cars are old and 2 aren't even running but still.

We make 47,000 a year now and have 9 in our family. I see no other way. We are making payments to one credit card monthly and just recently keep getting summons from the other ones.

Can't do ch 7 because we did that 5 years ago due to home business failure. Talk about feeling like a SHMUCK!!!!
We sold a house to move to a smaller more affordable one and that sale fell through and we were trying to make two house payments can you believe they gave us credit cards just after a year of filing bankruptcy? they are DUMB but I am dumber obviously as we used the credit cards to pay to keep from losing the other house until it sold and to live off of when my husband lost over $1000 a month in income. We just recently lost $300 more a month from some other income we were getting through my home business of pasture boarding other peoples horses. Our income with his work is now stable and has been for 18 months or so and it looks like it will remain that way so we see ch 13 as the only way to avoid garnishment.

[momofthree]

It looks like that "software" only contains the forms and instructions on how to fill them out. You can get that free from: http://www.uscourts.gov/FormsAndFees...ptcyForms.aspx

Also, you'll want to read the Nolo book for ch.13. Check it out from the library, just make sure it's a recent copy.

Start going to free consultations with attorneys and gleaning as much info as you can from them. Make sure to take a list of your budget (check out the IRS standards here: http://www.justice.gov/ust/eo/bapcpa...anstesting.htm ), your recent paystubs, a list of your debt, and a list of your assets so that they can give you as much info as possible. Don't tell them you're planning to file pro-se, just glean as much info as you can from them.

I don't think anyone here is going to recommend you filing ch.13 without an attorney though, especially since this is your 2nd bk. Your case will be given extra scrutiny as you'll be considered a "serial filer."

[blessedmommy]

Thank you momof3.
This is soooo humiliating. I will get ahold of some local attorneys. Wish I knew how to find a good one.

I appreciate your advice.

Blessings,

[NowImDownInIt]

It can be done (i.g. - justbroke), but I don't think anyone on here would suggest it. It sounds to me like you could have trouble funding a plan, and when disaster strikes nothing beats a good attorney for advice (even bkforum, though it is good for morale).

[HHM]

Yeah, the software you posted appears to be just be a "forms" book. As was already pointed out, you can get the forms for free.

The software the attorney's use is far more robust, but that is not worth the investment for a single case and there would be a huge learning curve.

As was stated, I really think you need to speak with some attorneys, and probably hire one; you sound like a high risk 13.