Most people believe that the best place to get bankruptcy services is through a law firm that specializes in bankruptcy, and they are correct. There are other places you can get bankruptcy advice and services, but with the newer bankruptcy laws, it can be risky.

If you decide to declare bankruptcy without a lawyer, you are a pro se filer. As a pro se debtor in a bankruptcy case, you and you alone are responsible for all the filings that are necessary. The federal bankruptcy court does not provide special privileges or any special considerations because you are working without a lawyer.

There are some organizations that can help with the explanation of bankruptcy to help you better understand the impact it will have. Anyone that you designate as a representative can check bankruptcy filings on your behalf, but ultimately, unless you hire a bankruptcy attorney, there is always the risk of “missing something.”

Bankruptcy is a very serious financial decision. The bankruptcy laws are complicated, and the federal bankruptcy court is unforgiving when it comes to mistakes. Making sure you fully understand the process and what is expected of you is critical to the success of your case.

So you’ve decided that your best option for starting a fresh page on your financial record is to file bankruptcy. Now what?

Before you do anything, it’s a good idea to do plenty of research on the type of bankruptcy you plan to file, as each one has its own nuances and unique characteristics that are important to know.

Being uncertain about the complex, intricate system of bankruptcy law is extremely normal. To make sure you have the best help with filing bankruptcy available, here is a quick list of three great places that offer bankruptcy help and advice to people just like you:

A financial adviser

If you have a financial adviser who you pay to file your taxes each year, this person may be able to offer bankruptcy help and advice. You should typically only consult a financial adviser before filing for bankruptcy, as he or she can give valuable insight into whether or not a bankruptcy is the only option you have to get out of debt.

A nonprofit credit counseling agency

Another great place that offers bankruptcy help is any of the nonprofit credit counseling organizations registered with the Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. These organizations are designed to inform individuals about all the ins and outs of their upcoming bankruptcy, and are extremely helpful and there to help you. And in most cases, you’ll be required to attend a credit counseling session anyway before you can be considered eligible for filing bankruptcy.

Your Chapter 7, Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney

Perhaps the best source of help filing bankruptcy is a qualified attorney who specializes in bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy attorneys are used to helping their clients file the correct paperwork for a successful bankruptcy that won’t get tossed out of court due to a small error. Best of all, they’re with you every step of the way to offer advice and guidance, removing any uncertainties about your bankruptcy process. Not sure if you can afford a bankruptcy attorney? You may be able to qualify for a pro bono attorney based on your level of financial need.

Know of any other good places where people can find help with their Chapter 13, Chapter 11 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy? Feel free to share in the comments section below this article. Ger more information on this topic here.