Four Free Bankruptcy Filing Options - How to Guarantee Great Results
Let's start by assuming the purpose of a free bankruptcy filing is to eliminate attorney fees and the clerk's mandatory filing fee. To achieve this purpose successfully, you should also assume that a high quality work product is essential. This way, free services and and a fee waiver will also produce a highly beneficial end result. The danger is, of course, that you may get what you pay for when choosing one of your free bankruptcy filing options.
In simple terms, you have limited options when seeking a high quality free bankruptcy filing and discharge of debt. These options are:
- pro bono legal services provided by lawyers in private practice
- services provided by student operated / law school legal clinics
- services provided by legal aid foundations
- do-it-yourself (DIY)
For in-depth information about free bankruptcy filing options and other no-cost alternatives, see:
Secrets for Success and Other No Cost Alternatives
Finding sources that provide no cost legal representation is not difficult. However, the quality of representation provided during a free bankruptcy filing, the amount of time spent on your case, and ultimately the value you receive should cause you concern. Saving a dime on attorney fees to waste a dollar in benefits available is foolish. Fortunately, you can have your cake and eat it too if you know how to interview, manage, and direct your own case.
How to Get the Best Results in Your Case
In practice, everyone achieves a better result when knowing, in advance, what their options are and what they hope to accomplish. Individuals who spend a little quality time discovering their options are able to participate in their case to a greater extent. For example, if you calculate the means test yourself, you will know which chapters are available. More importantly, if you calculate the means test yourself, you will know if a lawyer makes a mistake. Mistakes are known to happen. Even an error of a few pennies could potential have a serious affect. Let me explain.
The means test plays a pivotal role in all cases filed by individuals. It determines if you qualify for Chapter 7. It determines your trustee payments if youchoose to file Chapter 13. In some cases, individuals do not qualify to file either chapter because of the means test. Because of these important functions, your personal familiarity with the means test and how to calculate it are very important.
You have the ability to change your means test result. When you discover which items of personal income and discretionary expenses are included, small changes in your monthly budget have a big impact on your means test.
If you choose a free bankruptcy filing, you should not sacrifice the quality of legal representation you receive. Fortunately, you don't have to. The link above points to a user-friendly guide that explains how to prepare yourself for using no-cost options effectively. You will also discover the manual includes easy-to-understand instructions, examples, tips and suggestions to help you during the entire process.
Check out the manual by following the links above. You deserve to know what to do to help yourself, your family and the ones you love. All information is cleansed of unnecessary legal jargon to the greatest extent possible.
One Final Suggestion
Most lawyers provide a free initial consultation for potential clients. To get a free consultation, you have only to ask a few local lawyers. You may also visit with as many lawyers as you wish. These meetings provide you with a rich opportunity to obtain answers to your most important questions. If you learn how to interview lawyers, these meetings will be much more productive.
In addition, ask a local lawyer about fee waivers. In general terms, a waiver of the filing fee is available if you earn less than 150% of the official poverty level in your state of residency. The clerk of your local federal court can also provide you with this information by telephone.