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When you are completely broke and looking to file for bankruptcy, the thought of shelling out the money for a bankruptcy lawyer seems impossible. There are ways you can pay for these services without dipping too far into your already drained resources. Filing for bankruptcy often feels like a catch-22. While you need legal representation to make the process go smoothly, you have no money left or you wouldn’t be filing. Finding the financial resources to hire a bankruptcy lawyer may feel impossible. These tips will help you understand how you can afford to hire an attorney to help with the process. If you are filing Chapter 13, you can add your attorney to your repayment plan. This way you are not paying anything upfront for the services, but rather pay as you work on your debt situation through the protection offered by the courts. If you are filing Chapter 7, you may be able to stop paying some types of debts, like your credit cards, and use that money to pay your attorney. A qualified attorney can help you find the debts that are safe for you to stop paying. Another way to afford the services of a bankruptcy lawyer is to find one who is willing to take your case at a reduced rate or even pro bono. If you have extenuating circumstances, such as a situation where you have fallen victim to predatory lending practices or if you live below the poverty level, finding an attorney willing to help is quite possible. However, you may want to get a referral through a debt help or other non-profit organization, rather than asking the attorney directly for free services. Some attorneys will offer partial help on bankruptcies. For instance, they will offer some advice prior to filing, or they will look over your forms for you. This can cost just a few hundred dollars, rather than the thousands that you pay if you hire the attorney for the whole process. Not all attorneys are willing to offer their limited services in this way, but if you can find one who will, you will have an easier time paying for the services. There are alternatives to hiring a bankruptcy lawyer, but use these with caution. In some areas, the local court will have a pro se desk. This desk is allowed to provide legal advice to those filling on their own as they arrange their documentation. Once you file, however, they can no longer provide advice. Another option is to hire a document preparation company. These companies cannot provide any legal advice, so the likelihood of you making a mistake is still quite high. The price is also quite high, usually a couple hundred dollars for basically a typing service. Hiring an attorney is always the best option. If all else fails, ask your attorney if he or she will be willing to arrange a payment schedule. Once you are out from under the oppression of your debts, you might find that you have a little extra money that you could pay towards your legal fees. The likelihood of being freed of your debts is much stronger if you enlist the help of a bankruptcy lawyer, so ask about whether or not a payment plan is a possibility. An Oakland bankruptcy lawyer can help you if you are having a tough time financially. To learn more please see the following: http://www.yhllp.com/
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