How to File for Bankruptcy with No Money?

Anyone who has ever done a Google search for “how to file for bankruptcy with no money” has no doubt seen the ads offering so-called free bankruptcy filings. As with most things, these are too good to be true. I have often said that when you are facing the federal courts, as you are when filing for bankruptcy, you need an attorney on your side. Very often these “free” bankruptcy filings are anything but, and they often do not even have an attorney on hand to advise you. You will end up dealing with bankruptcy preparers – who simply fill out forms and cannot offer legal advice – or paralegals who despite the title are not allowed by law to offer legal advice. Think about it – paramedics are medical professionals, but you won’t see them performing surgery or diagnosing an illness – right?

Passing the Means Test

Chapter 7 has a means test meant to weed out people who would be able to pay off their creditors to some degree in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If your median income is lower than Florida’s median income for your household size, then you are allowed to file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This can significantly reduce the costs of filing for bankruptcy, but this type of bankruptcy is a complete liquidation of your nonexempt assets.

How the Automatic Stay Can Help You

One of the biggest reliefs in filing for bankruptcy is the automatic stay. If all of your money is going toward servicing your debt, the automatic stay will immediately stop all collection actions. This goes for lawsuits, collections on defaulted accounts, credit card payments, and other claims by your creditors. Very often it will give you enough breathing room to start getting your financial house in order again. Once you have some money in your pocket, you will feel a little better about life and sleep more soundly at night. Don’t misunderstand me, bankruptcy is not a merry-go-round. It is going to be tough to recover, but with a plan you will exit bankruptcy better able to manage your finances for the future.

Zero Down Bankruptcy

Now we come to a unique offering of Van Horn Law group. I originally announced the zero down bankruptcy at the end of 2016, and I’m bringing it up again because one of the most common things I hear is “I’m too broke to file for bankruptcy.” I understand that people who are filing for bankruptcy are not deadbeats, but instead are good people who have ended up in bad circumstances. I got into this profession so that I could help people, and the zero down bankruptcy does just that. With a zero down bankruptcy, you pay your legal fees on a set schedule, and get out from under your debts that are wrecking your life.

If you feel that you need to file bankruptcy, but are too broke to afford an attorney, don’t turn to bankruptcy preparers or dubious law firms. Go with a trusted professional. Our offices in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are open seven days a week, so give us a call and let’s get started on making things right again.