New Survey Shows Filing Bankruptcy On Your Own Could Be a Detriment!
In a survey conducted by the ABA Coalition for Justice, 1,200 state trial judges have revealed some surprising facts about litigants who handle legal matters on their own. Though the number of people who have chosen to represent themselves has risen, the survey shows that it may not be a great idea to do so.
While we all are acutely aware of the effects the economic downturn has had, it is still interesting to see the impact it is having on individuals. In an effort to save money, many people are choosing to represent themselves in foreclosures, domestic relations, consumer issues, and non-foreclosure housing matters, among others. The results? The judges who were surveyed revealed that the people who choose to represent themselves aren’t doing a great job and are, thusly, creating more work for an already burdened court system.
Over 60% of the judges imparted through the survey that representing yourself in court will typically lead to a bad outcome for the litigant.
This survey supports a statement that I make often: Don’t decide to file bankruptcy on your own unless you’ve seriously considered the consequences. Filing bankruptcy is no easy task. It requires you to handle important documents, negotiate with the trustee, and take care of any obstacles that will inevitably pop up. Am I saying it is impossible to file bankruptcy by yourself? No. I am, however, telling you that it is a huge task to take on and you should evaluate the consequences carefully.
Remember: Filing on your own doesn’t always mean you’ll save money—and it certainly doesn’t save you any time. By making one easy mistake, you put yourself and your family at risk of not receiving a discharge. That means you could’ve done all that work and spent all that money only to not receive a discharge.
The best way to get a great outcome for your case is to do the proper research, evaluate your situation, and choose the pathway that will give you the best outcome, not the one that will cost you the least amount of money.
Am I saying that it is always better to file with a lawyer than to file a bankruptcy case on your own? Not necessarily. To have the best bankruptcy experience possible, you must choose a qualified, experienced bankruptcy attorney. If you end up picking an attorney because of a low price or one that has limited experience, you could be putting yourself in just as dangerous a position as if you’d filed on your own.
If you are struggling with this decision, make sure you fully research all of your options and think about what risks you are willing to take. See what reputable attorneys have to offer in terms of free information. You will probably find blogs, bankruptcy FAQ, and possibly even free publications that will point you in the right direction.
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