im sorry im new to here, i have few question about chapter 7, first can i file chapter 7 with out an lawyer..... cuz i may not have money to get one, im in new jersey where i can go get the forms etc, and another question how much normaly cost to getting a lawyer to help me do this?
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You can do it without a lawyer but it requires a lot of painstaking reading and research even for a simple under-median case. I'm fairly good at this kind of thing -- I've represented myself in other matters, drafted and reviewed legal documents for my employer, etc. -- and it still took me very many days of research to get the petition together. For a complicated case, for instance where you brush close to having too much DMI, or there is some non-trivial asset protection required, a lawyer would probably be indicated anyway. They'll know what debtors can usually get away with locally.
Good sources of information will include your district's bankruptcy court website, and the Nolo Chapter 7 book. If you're lucky, the court will run a free clinic for pro se filers.
Be warned, if you mess it up, a lawyer's probably going to be reluctant to step in and try to pick up the pieces. The debtor has various duties and you will be expected to know what they are -- for instance, see 11 USC 521. Failure could mean dismissal.
It's worth talking to a few lawyers. Fees and abilities will vary markedly, perhaps not in a well-correlated way. $2000 isn't surprising for a Chapter 7 case.
Good luck. -
How much money were you spending towards monthly payments on debt? I sat down and figured it out and it was shocking. Something I avoided doing for years but should of. I probably wouldn't be in the mess I'm in now. Almost $800 dollars a month was going just to unsecured debt. The attorney I chose is $1250, $300 for court, and $30-50 for the classes. I was already getting in over my head around March with both of us making less each month but I figure by June I will definitely have all the money I need to have it all paid.
I've read on here some people do file themselves. Murphy's Law tends to bite me in the butt. So for me just knowing my luck the attorney is worth the money to protect me from screwing myself over
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i c thanks for the help everyone, my debit is not that big compare to some others i think.... i lost my job and plan on going back to my country for few years, and i have bunch credit card debit that i owe i cant pay it off. so i want file an chapter 7 be4 i leave, sorry for my poor English. if i file an chapter 7, do you guys think my credit card debit will clear? or still gonna stay with me anywhere i go.Comment
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