I been searching left and right for non-lawyer help to prepare all the bankruptcy papers. I was told by a legal secretary that there are bankruptcy petition preparers that fill out all the paper work, the problem is I can't find them. I've searched the internet and no luck, it just explains who they are and what they do, but no where it tells me where to find one. Do any of you know where to find one in the Southern NJ area?? If so, please tell me, or better yet, if you know of a lawyer that charges under $1000 to file it, also please let me know. I'm in a desperate situation. Thank you.

First of all let me say this. Not all bankruptcies are the same. Each one is different. Not knowing the complexities of your bankruptcy you just can't pick a number out of the sky ($1,000) and expect to find an attorney for that price. You need to have your individual bankruptcy problem looked at by an attorney. He will be able to tell you how much this will cost. The filing fees cannot be waived but must be paid at the time of filing in full. The attorney's fees can be negotiated but the majority of the fee must be paid prior to filing.

You'll just have to call around to find an attorney.

If you are that desperate, then just pay the fee and get it done and over with.

Tick

From Angelinesyg, No offense to Tick, but if I had the money I would've got it done and over with a long time ago and would not be asking this question.

From Angelinesyg. I know every case is different and it goes depending on what chapter to file, however all of the ones I found where private lawyer that charge $1200 and up. I'm not picking a number out of the sky, I'm just hoping to find someone that knows of a lawyer that works with the community that may be able to do it cheaper. And also hoping to find a petition prepare so that I won't have to pay so much for a lawyer.

Do you have Legal Aid where you are ? (no offence taken :) )

Tick

I'm not sure. I'm not even sure what that is. (I know, it's dumb) There's a community legal services, but they said I would be in a very long waiting list, could be almost a year before they call me. They also won't answer this question that I've posted here, they say they don't give that information.

Have you contacted your local county Bar association and ask them if they could steer you towards an attorney who doesn't charge an arm and a leg for bankruptcy work?

Sometimes lawyers advertise in the newspapers for bankruptcy filings work. Have you checked out any newspapers lately?

Back in the 1990's I worked for a bankruptcy attorney and did all the paperwork for him to sign and then I would take and file at the Federal Courthouse for him. I had a software program that I used and would just plug in all the creditor's names, addresses, phone numbers, account numbers of the debt, etc. I even had a questionnaire that I made up to help me fill in the blanks in this software program. The hard part now is determining what assets you have that you would like to keep such as a house (and have it approved to keep), your car loan, etc. That's where it gets a little tricky in that each state has different guidelines and will let you keep some things in some states and not keep it in other states. And also the bankruptcy laws have changed a lot as well.

If you have a lot of credit card debt or medical debt you'd probably want to do a Chapter 7. If you want to repay the debt you'd do the Chapter 11.

You'll eventually find someone to handle this for you if you just keep shopping around.

Thank you for your comment. I did contact the Bar Association, but they didn't have anyone cheaper than what I found on the net. It didn't occur to me to check the news papers, I will do that. Thank you.