Making the decision to File For Bankruptcy is not one that you should make lightly. While things might seem hopeless to you, there may be a way out that you don’t understand. If the best way forward is to file for bankruptcy, you have to ensure that you follow all of the federal regulations in relation to filing for bankruptcy. In order to make sure that you take the right steps, your first move should be to talk to a lawyer. Here are a few reasons why you should talk to a lawyer first.
Do You Qualify
One of the first things that a bankruptcy lawyer is going to do is help you to determine if you qualify for a bankruptcy in the first place. There are a number of criteria that you must meet before you’re allowed to file and a lawyer can tell you whether or not you meet those criteria.
What Type of Bankruptcy
You have two different options when it comes to filing for bankruptcy – Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Your lawyer will help you to decide which option is best for you. He or she can show you the benefits of choosing one over the other, including the various impacts on your future ability to borrow money for a car or a home.
Paperwork – Paperwork – Paperwork
Unfortunately, to File For Bankruptcy, you’re going to have to fill out a lot of paperwork. It’s not uncommon for filers to make mistakes on the paperwork simply because there is so much of it. Your lawyer can help you to either fill out the paperwork, fill out the paperwork on your behalf or review your already filled out paperwork prior to your filing.
Compliance
Another area in which your lawyer can help you is with compliance. There are certain things that you have to do, from meeting with a property appraiser to going through credit counseling that you have to complete before you finalize your bankruptcy.
You may be thinking that you can’t afford a lawyer – after all, you’re thinking about bankruptcy, but there is an alternative.
