Can I File Bankruptcy On My Own?

Debtors often inquire if they can file bankruptcy without hiring an attorney.  Yes, you can file bankruptcy "pro se" without attorney representation.  However, I do not ever recommend this approach for numerous reasons.  Yes, by filing pro se you will save the expense of paying for a lawyer but you could wind up losing much more than the cost of an attorney's fees if you choose to file bankruptcy without an attorney.

An experienced bankruptcy attorney such as myself, Cary Smalley, knows the ins and outs of the bankruptcy filing process and procedure.  An experienced bankruptcy attorney will be able to advise you if filing bankruptcy is the right choice for you and under what Chapter you should file.  Additionally, an experienced bankruptcy lawyer knows how to properly fill out and file the complicated bankruptcy forms, which are often over 50 pages, to ensure that all of your creditors, assets, income and expenses are properly listed.  An experienced Kansas City bankruptcy law firm, such as The Smalley Law Firm, will also ensure that all property that you are entitled to keep is properly exempted from the bankruptcy estate, among other things.

If you choose to file bankruptcy on your own you risk that some of your debts may not be discharged, that property that is entitled to be kept is not properly exempted, or even worse, that your case is dismissed without discharge.  For more information about bankruptcy and to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Kansas City bankruptcy attorney please visit my firm's webiste at http://www.thesmalleylawfirm.com