If you’re think about filing your own bankruptcy, you’re not alone. In Colorado, about 10% of people who file represent themselves. In California it’s even higher. As I’ve written before, I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary for everyone to hire a Denver bankruptcy attorney. If you’re prepared to navigate the Internet, you’ll find all the forms and information you need to file your case. And my experience is that the clerks at the bankruptcy court are very helpful. (Keep in mind, though, that there is a large sign in the clerk’s office which recommends hiring an attorney.)
Filling out forms and filing them is just one part of the bankruptcy process, however. Consider the pro se debtor representing herself at the meeting of creditors I saw the other day. While my clients and I waited to be called, the trustee called her to the conference table. I won’t say he scolded her, but in a very stern voice he told her that her meeting would not be held that day. He explained that she had missed the deadline to provide him with her prior year’s tax returns (due one week before the meeting). He also told her that he was likely going to ask the court to dismiss her case.
Now, it’s possible that he didn’t ask the court to dismiss her case, but I’m guessing he did. And, it’s also possible that the court will give her additional time to provide her tax returns and allow the meeting of creditors to be rescheduled. That is, if she responds to the trustee’s motion to dismiss. Take a look around and see how easy it is to find a “form” response to a motion like that.
My point is that the bankruptcy process is filled with requirements that aren’t included on any forms. You have to be prepared to learn the entire process, including deadlines and what documents you must provide the trustee or creditors. You may find yourself trying to learn the Bankruptcy Code. An experienced Denver bankruptcy attorney would have guided her through her meeting of creditors easily, and she likely would have gotten her discharge right on schedule. Instead, she faces the possibility of having to defend a motion to dismiss, or worse, having to refile her case and pay the court another filing fee. If her case is dismissed, you can be sure her creditors will be picking up their collection activity where they left off.