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In Utah Chapter 7 Bankruptcy can be a painful process. Life feels unstable, uncertain and vulnerable. If we had only made more money or made better choices, none of this would have happened, right?
Wrong. Sometimes life happens to us, despite all we do correctly and we learn the harsh lessons that we’re not always in control. That’s why Chapter 7 Bankruptcy law was created. To aid those who can’t help themselves.
Keep something in your mind: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is for those who cannot pay their debts. It was never intended for those who won’t pay their bills.
The truth is, we understand in Utah Chapter 7 Bankruptcy was made for people in dire situations they couldn’t control. Many have found themselves forced into bankruptcy.
It doesn’t make it any easier though, does it? It’s one of the primary reasons for working with a professional in this field. To walk you through the process and to show you why you don’t need to worry or fear when all you’re doing is exercising your legal rights to relief.
You have several choices if you decide Bankruptcy is right for you: a) You can do it yourself; b) have a paralegal do it; c)have a lawyer do it; d) use a Bankruptcy Document Preparer service. What are the differences? Quite a lot actually, and your choice will determine your experience and how far someone is going to reach into your wallet.
You can do the whole process yourself, but there are substantial risks. If you’re a layman when it comes to the law or the system of bankruptcy, the least of mistakes can void your chances of financial relief. That’s not something you want to risk. However, you will only have the minimal filing fees to worry about (which vary from state to state).
Paralegals are a great option if you can get a recommendation. They usually work for lawyers and are the hidden hands the lawyers use to accomplish 80-90% of their workloads, plugging you into their systems of boilerplate law practices. That means the paralegal will most likely know the process and can help you if there are no legal questions. Prices can vary, they have varied experience of the system and filing preferences, so it’s still a better option than doing this on your own and merits consideration.
Lawyers are the traditional choice and the easiest to find, though it’s rarely recommended to flip open the yellow pages and pick your nearest bar graduate. They know the laws of the land and particularly your state/area and the new bankruptcy laws hold them responsible for the work they do. The best bankruptcy lawyers will take a personal interest in you and your circumstances and help you understand your options when it comes to the law.
However, lawyers also come with the two largest negatives: cost and experience.
We knew that with living in Utah chapter 7 bankruptcy would be a rough process, especially if word got out in our church circles. This was a painful and embarrassing process for us. When my wife and I were done submitting all our information and had our last consultation, we felt a bit unsure. He was so cold and unfeeling to any of our plight and our emotional concerns were not an option or of any value to him. The last thing he did was tell us to stand against the back wall in his office while he took a Polaroid of us. When I questioned him, he said it was to make sure he knew who we were when he met us at the Trustee’s office.
The last method has quickly increased in popularity, which is to use a Bankruptcy Document Preparer service. An industry created after federal law enacted by President Bill Clinton, Bankruptcy Document Preparers were created to save people time and money while providing a level of security during the Bankruptcy process. In Utah Chapter 7 Bankruptcy has become an easier system to deal with, now that these powerful services are available. These are not lawyers, though in some cases they can be paralegals. However, under no circumstances can a BDP give you legal advice. They do exactly as their title suggests: paperwork, though with a significant twist.
The highest recommended Bankruptcy Document Preparer, Clean Slate Bankruptcies (cleanslatebankruptcies.com) is a prime example of the niche industry, setting the bar for performance and specializing in Utah Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. They do not offer legal advice, yet they hold the hands of their clients during the process, educating their clients while providing the needed support and direction, all at a minimal fee. Where Clean Slate Bankruptcies goes the extra mile, they have a national network of the top lawyers who meet their strict personal standards of service that covers all 50 states. So even if you never end up as a client of Clean Slate Bankruptcies, during a free consultation they can direct you to the best legal minds who will provide you with a positive, non-typical legal experience.
What amazing people! We talked with a woman named Shawna, who it turns out was a client of Clean Slate Bankruptcies before she started working for them. She was compassionate and understanding, especially when we were going through the roughest experience of our lives. I can’t recommend them enough for the guidance and saving us over $2200 with a lawyer.
Make sure you do your research and find out what’s right for you. There will be many services and lawyers to choose from and their main desire is to get your business at this low point in your life.Ask yourself honestly what type of experience you want to have and whether money is an issue. Are your resources low? Do you want to understand the process and learn about your rights and options? Do you want to hold your head high or have someone simply make the pain go away for you?
Choose wisely.
