MarketplaceMoney has an interesting story about the pitfalls of filing for bankruptcy without representation. One U.S. Bankruptcy Court was so concerned about the mistakes made by pro bono debtors in bankruptcy--mistakes that can cause serious problems like the loss of the automatic stay protection or dismissals that in some cases result in the loss of homes or vehicles--that it created a position for a special clerk simply to help people who aren't represented by counsel.
Even in that court, though, the clerk can't give legal advice--and she says that she often ends up persuading pro bono bankruptcy petitioners that they need legal help after looking over their paperwork.
Tags: bankruptcy, bankruptcy attorney, bankruptcy clerk, bankruptcy forms, bankruptcy lawyer, bankruptcy representation, filing bankruptcy, pro bono bankruptcy
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