When Congress enacted the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (“BAPCPA” sometimes fondly called Bappa Crappa) it required all “Debt Relief Agencies,” that is, lawyers who do bankruptcy work, to tell potential clients that they don’t need an attorney to file bankruptcy.  That wasn’t a new change in the law — anyone can represent herself in bankruptcy just like anyone can represent herself in any other court in the United States.  Most bankruptcy lawyers, myself included, believe that the Bankruptcy Code is complex enough that an ordinary person is well advised to get an attorney.  Filing bankruptcy could be the most significant financial step someone ever makes.

But, for those who are really convinced that they should try to file by themselves, rather than leave you on your own without any guidance except what you might get from your cousin’s best friend who knows a guy who once filed bankruptcy, we’ll publish a series of posts on DIY bankruptcy.  Some of the topics we’ll cover are:

• Should I file bankruptcy?
• Is bankruptcy ethical or moral?
• What type of bankruptcy should I file?
• What do I need in order to file
• What debts will be discharged and what debts won’t?
• What is the Means Test and how does it work?
• Will I lose everything in bankruptcy?

Stay tuned as we navigate the maze called the United States Bankruptcy Code.