Just checked Pacer...my bankruptcy was discharged yesterday and the case was closed today!
I thought about filing a long time before I actually did and part of the reason I didn't was because I couldn't afford a couple thousand dollars for a lawyer. The ones I spoke to for a free consultation made it sound like it's damned near impossible to do this myself. I thought I was stuck and I dealt with the harassment of collections agencies until I figured out what to do. My goal was ultimately to work hard to increase my earnings and pay everyone off.
Unfortunately, one of the credit card companies couldn't wait for my plans to work out and they sued me. They left me no choice but to file pro se. So, I read the NOLO book and forums like this, got my forms, and spent a week working on my forms every day. I filed my case within 2 weeks of getting notice from the court that I was being sued.
My 341 meeting was an absolute breeze. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. The day of my 341, the only people that I saw having problems were the ones with attorneys. Go figure.
So, folks, this can be done. It wasn't easy and I was an emotional wreck until my 341 was over, but I got through it. I was scared to death that I was going to do something wrong, but I didn't. When I filed, the clerk complimented me on being so thorough and in my 341, my trustee did too. Now it's officially over and I am thanking God.
If anyone reads this and is thinking about going pro se, it won't be easy, but you can do it if you really want to. Thanks to NOLO and this forum, I did it and you can too!
Filed: 3-4-2011
341 Meeting: 4-5-2011
: 6-7-2011
Closed: 6-8-2011
I thought about filing a long time before I actually did and part of the reason I didn't was because I couldn't afford a couple thousand dollars for a lawyer. The ones I spoke to for a free consultation made it sound like it's damned near impossible to do this myself. I thought I was stuck and I dealt with the harassment of collections agencies until I figured out what to do. My goal was ultimately to work hard to increase my earnings and pay everyone off.
Unfortunately, one of the credit card companies couldn't wait for my plans to work out and they sued me. They left me no choice but to file pro se. So, I read the NOLO book and forums like this, got my forms, and spent a week working on my forms every day. I filed my case within 2 weeks of getting notice from the court that I was being sued.
My 341 meeting was an absolute breeze. I was in and out in less than 5 minutes. The day of my 341, the only people that I saw having problems were the ones with attorneys. Go figure.
So, folks, this can be done. It wasn't easy and I was an emotional wreck until my 341 was over, but I got through it. I was scared to death that I was going to do something wrong, but I didn't. When I filed, the clerk complimented me on being so thorough and in my 341, my trustee did too. Now it's officially over and I am thanking God.
If anyone reads this and is thinking about going pro se, it won't be easy, but you can do it if you really want to. Thanks to NOLO and this forum, I did it and you can too!
Filed: 3-4-2011
341 Meeting: 4-5-2011
: 6-7-2011
Closed: 6-8-2011
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