12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow  Easy Questions  
12Law Arrow 12Law Arrow Instant Legal Documents
 
 
FINANCIAL & MARITAL

Cohabitation Agreement coming soon!
Separation Agreement coming soon!
No-Fault Divorce coming soon!
Bankruptcy coming soon!
 
 

Do I Need a Lawyer to File for Bankruptcy in Zip Code 85308

Do I Need a Lawyer to File for Bankruptcy in Zip Code 85308


The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
 
- Nelson Mandela


Corporations and Partnerships must have an attorney to file a bankruptcy case. Individuals, however, may represent themselves in bankruptcy court.

In many cases, it's a good idea to have a bankruptcy attorney. However, many petitioners file for bankruptcy without a lawyer. Some represent themselves in bankruptcy because they cannot afford the lawyer's fees. Others have simple cases, and don't feel the need to hire a lawyer. Even the simplest Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires extensive paperwork, gathering of financial documentation, research of bankruptcy and exemption laws, and follow up with local rules and procedures.

Bankruptcy rules are very technical, and a misstep may affect a debtor's rights. For example, a debtor whose case is dismissed for failure to file a required document, such as a credit counseling certificate, may lose the right to file another case or lose protections in a later case, including the benefit of the automatic stay. Bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal implications, so it is very important to do it right. An individual filing for bankruptcy must list all property and debts in their bankruptcy schedules. If a debt is not listed, it is possible the debt will not be discharged.

The simpler the bankruptcy, the better your chances are to successfully complete it and receive a discharge on your own. So it's usually more feasible to file without an attorney if you are filing a simple Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

If your household income is low and you own little or no assets, and you don't have any priority debts or creditors alleging fraud against you, then your case may be simple enough for you to handle without an attorney.

Bankruptcies filed under Chapter 13 can be more complex than Chapter 7. If you are underwater on your mortgage payments, and if your second mortgage is worth less than your first mortgage, you may be able to use Chapter 13 bankruptcy to "strip" the second mortgage (discharge it in bankruptcy). If you owe more than your car is worth, through a process known as "loan cram down," you may be able to negotiate a Chapter 13 payment plan based on what the car is actually worth, as opposed to the value of the car loan.

You may choose to file a Chapter 13 to take advantage of these benefits or simply because you make too much money to qualify for a Chapter 7. No matter what your reason is, it generally means that your case may be too difficult to file on your own.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcies, in addition to filing the official bankruptcy forms, you must also design a proposed repayment plan, which can be very difficult to do. Stripping your second mortgage or cramming down a car loan will usually require filing additional motions and paperwork with the court.

So, if you are planning to file a Chapter 13 or a complex Chapter 7, it is a good idea to hire a qualified attorney. Your Chapter 7 will usually be more complex if you own a business, have high income, own significant assets, or have creditors who may claim fraud. If any of the above applies to you, you risk having your case dismissed, your assets being taken and sold, or facing a lawsuit in your bankruptcy to determine that certain debts should not be discharged. In that case, it is advisable to hire an attorney to handle your bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy fraud is a crime and the presiding judge may also deny the discharge of all debts if a debtor does something dishonest in connection with the bankruptcy case, such as transferring assets to friends and family, destroying or hiding property, falsifying records, or lying. Individual bankruptcy cases are randomly audited to determine the accuracy, truthfulness, and completeness of the information that the debtor is required to provide.

Individual debtors are generally required to obtain credit counseling from an approved provider within 180 days before filing a case, and to file a statement of compliance and a certificate of credit counseling furnished by the provider. Failure to do so may result in dismissal of the case.

Homeowners who are having trouble or have fallen behind in making their mortgage payments may have options that would allow them to avoid foreclosure and bankruptcy, starting with renegotiating with the mortgage lender. However, please beware of marketing offers made once your house is in foreclosure - there are a number of fraudulent schemes specifically directed at individuals facing foreclosure.

Only you can decide if hiring a lawyer is right for you. Check out 12Law.com for listings of lawyers in your neighborhood.
 
Personalize & Print a Free AZ Last Will Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
 
Personalize & Print a Free AZ Living Will Create This Document
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Related Legal Services near Zip Code 85308
Rasmussen, Ward B - O'steen & Harrison
17235 N 75th Ave # E110
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 486-8131
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans, General Practice Attorneys
Stinson William G
19022 N 47th Ln
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 434-8088
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Out-Of-Court Solutions
20100 N 51st Ave, Suite F-640
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 428-8087
Divorce Attorneys,  Mediation Services,  Arbitration & Mediation Attorneys,  Divorce Assistance,  Le
Kent Lee
7075 W Bell Rd Ste 5
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 889-7760
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Tony Behrens Law Offices
4410 W Union Hills Dr # 7
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 587-7474
Attorneys
Why Pay A Lawyer
3515 W Union Hills Dr
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 396-7021
Attorneys
Gustafson Peter
18001 N 79th Ave # B35
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 334-6930
Attorneys, Bankruptcy Services, Credit & Debt Counseling
Goldberg & Osborne - Glendale
8160 W Union Hills Dr Ste 200
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 808-6850
Attorneys,  Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law Attorneys,  Legal Service P
The Holt Law Group, P.C.
7075 W Bell Rd Suite 1
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 334-6800
Estate Planning Attorneys, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys
Wayne Howell PLLC
17505 N 79th Ave Ste 211-F
Glendale, AZ 85308
623-328-8567
Accident & Property Damage Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Malpractice Law Attorneys,  Personal Injury Law A
Lawyers Title
17100 N 67th Ave # 200
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 979-6060
Title Companies, Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys, Title & Mortgage Insurance
Howell, Wayne PLLC
17505 N 79th Ave Suite 211F
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 688-5541
Civil Litigation & Trial Law Attorneys, Attorneys, Criminal Law Attorneys, Accident & Property Damag
Acuff Law Firm
17505 N 79th Ave # 405
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 337-5480
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys
Cole David V
3932 W Union Hills Dr
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 434-5224
Attorneys
Bornmann Law Group, PLLC
20325 N 51st Avenue, Suite #134
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 640-4945
Criminal Law Attorneys,  Family Law Attorneys,  General Practice Attorneys,  Bankruptcy Services,  B
Platt & Westby, P.C.
20325 N 51st Ave Ste 134
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 277-4441
Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys,  Attorneys,  Real Estate Attorneys,  Bankruptcy Law Atto
Maddox Matthew D
4344 W Bell Rd
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 588-4040
Attorneys
Crampton Law Firm PC
20100 N 51st Ave # E540
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 354-3771
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Kenney Raymond A
20325 N 51st Ave # 134
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 234-3536
Attorneys
Allegrucci Law Office
17505 N 79th Ave
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 979-3374
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Scott Christina
20325 N 51st Ave Ste 134
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 748-3338
Attorneys, Business Bankruptcy Law Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Foreclosure Help Phoenix Az
6234 W. Behrend Drive, Suite 1120
Glendale, AZ 85308
(602) 326-2820
Foreclosure Services,  Real Estate Agents,  Real Estate Consultants,  Real Estate Rental Service,  B
Hallas & Associates
6908 W Morrow Dr
Glendale, AZ 85308
(480) 332-1938
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Cavaletto Law
7075 W Bell Rd Ste 9
Glendale, AZ 85308
(623) 334-1717
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US