pro se (need lawyer help on filing in 0hio)

[glc4122]

hello does any one know of a lawyer in ohio that will help on as needed basis for myself to file pro se with problems that may arise from filing?

[HHM]

lol, no bk lawyer helps on an "as needed basis". It would be very rare for a lawyer to jump into a case once its been filed (too much liability).

If you really think there will be issues with your case, you need to hire a lawyer from the start.

What you should do is schedule 3-4 consultations with lawyers in your area, most consultations are free and no obligation, that way you can get some assessment if there will be any challenges with your case that would require a lawyer.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

GLC, what you are looking for is called "unbundled" legal services. While there is some of this in certain parts of the country, it's still rare: HHM is quite right.

However, I am a pro se filer, and there are quite a few of us here. What I did was to study my tail off before I filed, including looking at many local cases. The Nolo Ch7 book was a *tremendous* help, as was this forum!

Some of the things you really want to consider before going pro se are:
-- are you very close to or over the median income for your area? (Ch7 vs. Ch13)
-- do you have important assets (such as non-exempt home equity) that you are trying to save?
-- are you bk'ing for personal or business debt?
-- do you have complex tax issues that are involved with your bk?
-- insider payments /asset transfers made within the last year or two?

The Nolo book points out more, but off the top of my head any one of the above is good reason to contact an atty. Bk consults are often free, and many of us who filed pro se took advantage of them, because you can go in and just ask questions and say you're not ready to file yet. Bk attys make more from Chapter 13s than from Chapter 7s, so know the difference well *before* you go see an atty, because you don't want to be guided by him into a 13 when you know you are eligible for 7. Also, if you know you have no assets and are eligible for Ch7, don't be afraid to do it pro se because it's actually very straightforward, but be prepared to spend a number of hours studying and learning the process.

Again, that Nolo book is just a gem, I can't recommend it highly enough. (No, I have no affiliation with them, just a happy user. ) The link is http://www.nolo.com/product.cfm/Obje...51A79/213/161/ or you can buy it at Barnes & Noble, Borders, wherever.

Good luck!!!!