Written by bankruptcy attorney, Jeena Cho

The short answer is, you could but it’s a very bad idea. Here are 12 reasons why filing your own bankruptcy is a bad idea by 12 different bankruptcy attorneys around the country.

1. Because you could lose your home and car and other assets if you do not know how to properly analyze and apply your case to the complex bankruptcy code.
2. Because California has its own exemptions and improper use can result in loss of property.
3. Because of possible complication with fraudulent transfers and preferences.
4. Because your case may be dismissed.
5. There can be complications when filing without and attorney…… loss of assets, denial of discharge, additional stress wondering about what is going on and how to navigate thru the processes….. etc…….
6. Filing ch7 is like jumping out of a plane for your finances. When you pull the rip cord, do you want your parachute packed by a professional or do you trust yourself after reading a book?
7. At least in some parts of the country, if you are pro se and you’ve charged anything int he last 90 days, you will be sued.
8. Man (or woman) who represents himself has a fool for a client.
9. For the same reasons you do not do your own surgery.
10. No attorney will want to help you clean up your mess when your DIY turns into WTF.
11. Well, you can remove your own appendix, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
12. Please read the statute or the forms and see if you can explain it.

Tagged as: Chapter 13, chapter 7 bankruptcy, filing bankruptcy, filing bankruptcy without an attorney