Filing Pro Se
Filing for bankruptcy without an attorney, otherwise known as filing pro se, is legal and possible. However, your bankruptcy is going to affect you for decades to come, and getting it wrong will cost you.
One of the most significant mistakes you can make by doing it on your own is filing for bankruptcy at all. (You read that right.) If you bring a legal professional into your corner while you’re considering bankruptcy, before you’ve filed anything, you may save yourself much unnecessary financial harm. Many pro se filers charge headfirst into bankruptcy without considering that there may be other options for debt relief available to them.
If you undergo the process without an attorney, you are legally assumed to understand and adhere to laws and court procedures. (In other words, the court doesn’t go easy on you when you say, “But I didn’t know!”) While all the rules and regulations regarding bankruptcy are available online, it may not be feasible for you to read, absorb, and remember enough of it to effectively advocate for yourself in court. If you file pro se, you will also be cut off from helpful legal counsel. Court officials, employees, and judges are strictly prohibited from dishing out legal advice of any kind.
Experienced Bankruptcy Lawyers in Harrisburg
If you get yourself into a bind during a bankruptcy proceeding, you will likely need someone to look over your shoulder, help you evaluate your options, and advise you on the best way to move forward. That’s what we’re here for. Our Harrisburg bankruptcy attorneys at Dethlefs Pykosh & Murphy Law has the knowledge and experience to help you successfully maneuver through all of the laws, regulations, and requirements of bankruptcy.
