The internet is a great thing, so thanks to Al Gore for inventing it. If I need to fix something around the house and run into trouble, chances are there are Youtube videos that will solve the problem. If you are considering Bankruptcy, you might start with google searches to get more information (and hopefully this site comes up). Look long enough and you’ll find websites and people that tell you that you can file your own Chapter 13 without paying a lawyer (known as representing yourself, or “pro se“). You are a pretty smart person, and willing to put in the work, so why not? There are many reasons, and we could take up several posts to go through some of them and discuss real-life disasters, but the most important reason is that the chances of even getting a confirmed Chapter 13 plan are close to zero percent. In recent studies, the rate is less than one-half of one percent. About 4 people out of one-thousand who proceed without a lawyer get to a confirmed plan, and while that is a big step it is not close to a successful completion of the case. It is also a safe bet that most or all of those four people have some help behind the scenes. The bottom line is that if Bankruptcy is something you are considering, find a couple good lawyers in your area and make sure it is done correctly. This is the beginning of the rest of your financial life, so do not waste time, money and energy one something that is just not going to work. You owe it to yourself, and your family.
Scott Riddle is a Bankruptcy lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. The best way to contact us is by phone at 404-815-0164. You can also email scott@scottriddlelaw.com, or contact us through the contact page.