Bankruptcy
Understand whether bankruptcy is the right move, which chapter fits your situation, and prepare every form correctly before you file.
People considering bankruptcy who want to understand their real options before committing to anything.
A bankruptcy attorney typically charges $1,000-$3,500 for a straightforward Chapter 7 case.
Yes - filing pro se (without an attorney) is legal in every state. It works best for straightforward cases; the harder part is usually the means test and getting every schedule filled out correctly, which is where most self-filers get stuck.
Chapter 7 typically discharges qualifying unsecured debt within a few months but can require selling non-exempt assets. Chapter 13 sets up a 3-5 year repayment plan and is common when you don't pass the Chapter 7 means test or want to keep an asset you'd otherwise lose.
Yes - a Chapter 7 filing commonly stays on your credit report for up to 10 years, and Chapter 13 for up to 7. Many filers still see their credit score improve within a year or two once high debt balances are discharged.
The court filing fee is set federally and is typically a few hundred dollars, separate from whatever an attorney would charge. Filing yourself avoids attorney fees entirely, though a credit counseling course fee is usually required as well.