Guide to filing pro se bankruptcy in District of Columbia. Forms, procedures, costs, and free resources.
Yes. You have a constitutional right to file pro se (without an attorney). The court filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 or $313 for Chapter 13. However, bankruptcy forms are complex, and mistakes can have serious consequences.
Official bankruptcy forms are available free at uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms. You need the voluntary petition, all applicable schedules (A/B through J), the Statement of Financial Affairs, and the means test form (122A for Ch. 7 or 122C for Ch. 13).
Yes. Contact your local Legal Aid office, the District of Columbia bar association's lawyer referral service, or a law school clinic. Many bankruptcy courts also have a pro se clinic or self-help desk.
From the Open Bankruptcy Project -- free information, no strings.
Discharge Screener Means Test CalculatorOur research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5