People can file for bankruptcy without a lawyer, which is called a pro se filing. However, it is strongly recommended to seek the advice of a qualified lawyer because bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal consequences. Before a waiver can be granted in an individual Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case, each debtor must complete a personal financial management course. This course must be completed after the submission of the petition.
On the link corresponding to the U.S. In the US, you can find a list of approved financial management providers. Married couples are free to file for bankruptcy together or individually. Couples usually file a joint return when they have joint debts, but spouses can file them themselves if they wish.
If a person's income is below a certain amount, they can use Chapter 7, which offers debt forgiveness and uses their property to pay off some of the debts. If a person's income exceeds a certain amount, they will most likely qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which requires the repayment of some or all of the debts the person owes. Yes, you can legally file for bankruptcy without an attorney. The other 41 states have what is called common law property, which means that if a person makes a purchase during marriage (buys a car, for example), that property belongs to one person, unless it is titled or named in both of their names.
Anyone who files for bankruptcy must take a credit counseling course within 6 months prior to filing their bankruptcy petition in court. While in some cases you can file for bankruptcy without an attorney, there are exceptions, depending on the type of bankruptcy. When considering filing for bankruptcy without an attorney, the first step is to perform an “resources test” to determine if you qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Completing official bankruptcy forms is generally the most complicated and time-consuming task if you decide to file for bankruptcy without an attorney.