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 97205

Do I Need a Lawyer to File for Bankruptcy in Zip Code 97205


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 OR 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 OR 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 97205
Bryan Mcgowan Immigration Law
806 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9900
Attorneys
Balski Dennis
621 SW Morrison St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9830
Attorneys
Margolin Phillip M
621 SW Morrison St # 1025
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9830
Attorneys
Matasar Lawrence
621 SW Morrison St # 1025
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9830
Attorneys
Lave Alan A
621 SW Morrison St # 140
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 228-9673
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Meyer William A
610 SW Broadway # 408
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9513
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
James Chris
1501 SW Taylor St # 200
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 274-9503
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Du Val Business Law PC
1012 SW King Ave.
Portland, OR 97205
(866) 601-9440
Business Litigation Attorneys
Walker Kent
950 SW 21st Ave Apt 1117
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 973-9349
Attorneys
Rasskazova Larisa
1020 SW Taylor St # 425
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 228-9318
Attorneys
Totten Jeffrey
620 SW Main St # 301
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 274-9310
General Practice Attorneys, Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Liza Langford Attorney
715 SW Morrison St # 905
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 274-9070
Child Support Collections,  Family Law Attorneys,  Adoption Law Attorneys,  Child Custody Attorneys,
Levinson Law, LLC
1020 SW Taylor Street, Ste 888
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9057
Estate Planning Attorneys, Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning Attorneys, Entertainment & Sports Law Att
Ashton Derek J
805 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 323-9000
Attorneys
Baldwin-Sayre Nicholas J
805 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 323-9000
Attorneys
Coers-Mitchell Christine
805 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 323-9000
Attorneys
Knoll James L
1500 SW Taylor St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9000
Attorneys, General Practice Attorneys
Rhodes Mediation & Arbitration
1500 SW Taylor St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 222-9000
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Smith Julie
805 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 323-9000
Attorneys
Heap Theodore H
121 1030 SW Salmon St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 223-8988
Attorneys
Judy Snyder
1000 SW Broadway
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 974-8910
Attorneys,  Labor & Employment Law Attorneys,  Social Security & Disability Law Attorneys,  Accident
Tyler Lee Ogden
1123 SW Yamhill St
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 233-8868
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Brush Bart A
621 SW Morrison St # 900
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 221-8651
Attorneys, Legal Service Plans
Bean David I
621 SW Morrison St # 1300
Portland, OR 97205
(503) 228-8448
Attorneys
12Law.com   |  NASHVILLE, TN USA   |  CONTACT US