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Filing on your own

Pro se

Representing yourself in court without a lawyer. 1

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How it works

Individuals can file bankruptcy without an attorney, which is called filing pro se. The federal courts strongly recommend getting advice from a qualified attorney because bankruptcy has long-term financial and legal consequences. 2

Court employees and bankruptcy judges are prohibited by law from giving legal advice. 2

Businesses such as corporations, partnerships and LLCs generally cannot file without an attorney. 3

Sources

  1. Glossary
  2. Filing Without an Attorney (uscourts.gov)
  3. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, C.D. Cal.: Attorney, Are All Debtors And Creditors Required To Have One?

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