There are many websites, legal kits, and books that tell you filing bankruptcy by yourself without an attorney is easy, quick, and inexpensive.  They also tell you that most bankruptcies are "routine" and do not require you to spend money on an attorney to be able to do it properly. 

Even if your bankruptcy is "routine" that does not mean it is "easy".  Removing your appendix is a "routine" procedure for a skilled surgeon, but that does not mean it is easy and that you should try doing it yourself at home.  What makes many bankruptcies "routine" is the proper preparation, knowledge, and skill of an experienced attorney.  Good attorneys, much like professional athletes, make it look easy.  The behind-the-scenes preparation and work needed to get things to go smoothly is not always apparent.

You may be thinking "Well, of course you'd say that I need an attorney because you're an attorney!".  There is no doubt we are biased in favor of having an attorney because we are a law firm.  Having said that let me say this:  "You need an attorney representing you in your bankruptcy, EVEN IF IT IS NOT US!"  We would rather see you be properly represented by our competition than see your financial life ruined by improperly representing yourself in bankruptcy court.

You have the right to represent yourself in your bankruptcy case, but hiring a competent bankruptcy attorney has many advantages.  If you represent yourself you must prepare your own petition, schedules, and statements.  These documents are commonly 30 to 60 pages long.  You may have to take time off from work and travel to the courthouse and file your case.  You will still have to pay the court filing fee.  You must learn the relevant sections of the Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the local Fort Worth bankruptcy rules, and all the state laws that may affect your bankruptcy case.  You will be held to the same standard as an attorney as there are no separate set of rules for people representing themselves.

You may also be required to review reaffirmation agreements, send out notices to all parties entitled to notice in your case, make amendments to your pleadings, deal with creditors and their attorneys, deal directly with the trustee, respond to motions made by other attorneys and creditors, and represent yourself in front of the bankruptcy judge. 

Bankruptcy is an extremely complicated area of law and even minor mistakes can have huge consequences.  (Click here to see all the courses The Law Offices of John Saitis attends in order to keep current on the law.)  Hiring an attorney to represent you in your bankruptcy will save you hours of work and worry.  It could also save you tens-of-thousands of dollars in costly mistakes you might make representing yourself.  Click here to see what some of our clients had to say about their experience filing bankruptcy with us.