It seems that nearly everything can be done online – you can file your taxes, find your soul mate and connect with thousands of people that you might not otherwise ever have the privilege of knowing. Yet, when it comes to claiming bankruptcy, human interaction is an unfortunate necessity, as one must physically show up in bankruptcy court of file the appropriate forms. The good news is that, while you can’t file bankruptcy online, you can do a lot to prepare yourself for the process.
Find Out if You Qualify
Before deciding that bankruptcy is the best course of action to improve your financial situation, it’s generally a good idea to speak to a qualified professional – typically a bankruptcy attorney or a financial professional who is well versed in bankruptcy law and the benefits (and consequences) that filing can bring with it. A simple way to connect with an attorney is to fill out our free bankruptcy evaluation, which will place you into contact with a friendly professional in your area. A free evaluation is beneficial not only because it can place you into contact with a qualified attorney, but also because it can tell you almost immediately whether or not you qualify to file a claim. Remember that not everyone will qualify for every type of bankruptcy, as qualification depends on several factors including your current income, debts and asset picture.
Do it Yourself – Fill out Necessary Forms Online
While working with a qualified attorney is recommended when it comes to filing a claim, it isn’t a requirement. In fact, you can do most of the prep work on your own, including the filing of appropriate documents. There are many places online where you can obtain the necessary forms, including the official U.S. Bankruptcy Court site. Of course, the downside to filling out all of these forms yourself is twofold – you will need to sort through them and find the forms that apply to your type of bankruptcy and you must also ensure that the information you provide is completely accurate.
An alternative to finding and filling out the forms yourself is to hire a bankruptcy paralegal to accurately fill out your bankruptcy forms, but then you may as well just work with an attorney from start to finish. This way you will gain the benefit of experience that only an attorney can provide. Plus, by working with an attorney you will avoid having to represent yourself at your 341 Meeting (a.k.a. the meeting of the creditors).
The Choice is Yours
Whether you choose to file on your own or through an attorney, it’s important that you understand the pros and cons of filing bankruptcy. Please take a moment to browse through our comprehensive site for a list of articles regarding how to file and what to expect before, during and after your claim. And remember, our free evaluation is a great way to get into contact with an experienced attorney without any obligations.