Are you considering claiming bankruptcy, but aren’t sure that you want to file a claim on your own? If you’re like most people then the simple thought of filing a bankruptcy claim probably stirs up at least a bit of anxiety. Although filing a claim isn’t technically difficult, it can be somewhat time-consuming and stressful, particularly at a time when you don’t need any additional stress in your life. The good news is that there are several ways to get help with your claim, including the use of full-fledged bankruptcy attorneys and also through paralegal bankruptcy services.
Although hiring a bankruptcy attorney certainly has its advantages, not everyone can justify the expense. Once debtors realize that it will cost between $1,000 and $2,000 to retain the services of an attorney, they often find themselves looking elsewhere. One of the best alternatives to spending a small fortune on a bankruptcy lawyer is to search for a reputable paralegal bankruptcy service. Although a bankruptcy paralegal cannot offer legal advice or representation, they can help with the time-consuming process of gathering information and filing paperwork. Often times this type of assistance is all that is needed for a given debtor to move forward with their bankruptcy claim; however, things aren’t always so cut and dry.
You should be aware that, while a paralegal bankruptcy might save you money in the short term, you probably won’t receive the insight and personal attention that you would if you had hired a reputable bankruptcy attorney. The main disadvantage in working with bankruptcy paralegals or “bankruptcy petition preparers” is that they cannot legally ask questions that would otherwise help them guide you toward the right decisions. Along the same lines, paralegal bankruptcy services cannot make recommendations to help you exempt certain assets from the bankruptcy process. Lastly, a bankruptcy paralegal is not responsible for any misinformation that was submitted on your behalf, nor will they represent you in court to defend these types of potential errors.
The bottom line is that, while bankruptcy service companies can save you a considerable amount of money over a traditional attorney, the benefits that they provide are somewhat limited. If you want more information on choosing a bankruptcy attorney for your case, then feel free to take our free bankruptcy evaluation. Upon completion of your application you will be directed to a reputable attorney in your area who can assist you with all facets of your claim.