Pro se is a Latin phrase meaning “for oneself” or “on one’s own behalf.” A bankruptcy is a complicated procedure but a debtor has the option to file a case on their own without an attorney. Sure the Debtor can download forms from online or get them from the library, and there are also books and websites that can walk a Debtor through the process. However, bankruptcy law is very complex, incredibly precise and the many forms to be filed can be exceptionally complicated. The forms require a large amount of detail, and if certain things are missed the case can be dismissed. If your case is thrown out (dismissed) creditors can come after you again.
The success rate will depend on the type of case. Some jurisdictions require debtors who own a business to hire an attorney to file the bankruptcy case. Also, the success rate for a chapter 13 case that is filed pro se is extremely low. This is because there are added complications and local rules that determine when and how the pleadings are to be filed, and in what manner.
Even in a simple chapter 7 case, pro se filers run the risk of losing an asset like a house or car if the documentation is not filed correctly, or they could misinterpret a request and you could be charged with bankruptcy fraud.
If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy and have questions, contact the experienced attorneys at the Fears Nachawati Law Firm, who can guide you through the process and get you back on stable ground financially. For a free consultation, call our office at 1.866.705.7584.