Asked in Bankruptcy

Q: Do I need a bankruptcy lawyer?

Related Topics:
3 Lawyer Answers
Stuart Nachbar
PREMIUM
Answered

A: Without any details, it is hard to say, but probably yes.

A: If you're wondering about this, the answer is that you should speak with a bankruptcy attorney. Most offer free initial consultations, and it won't cost you anything but an hour or two of your time to get good information about whether you should file a bankruptcy or not.

Filing a bankruptcy without an attorney is fraught with perils that the non-attorney layperson would know nothing about. If you don't know what a "bankruptcy estate" is, if you're not sure how to exempt your individual retirement annuity, if you don't know what I mean by "exempt," if you think you should pay back your grandmother that $1,000 you owe her before you file, if you think it's OK to transfer your car to your cousin before filing, you should talk to an attorney.

If you're thinking of filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you should definitely talk to an attorney.

Look for a good attorney in your local area or ask friends and family-members if they can recommend someone with whom you might speak.

A: Yes. Very very difficult to navigate on your own.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.