If I need to file bankruptcy, I obviously don’t have any money.

While this may seem like a given, it is not always true. People with money in their bank account will still file bankruptcy if they see that their income is no longer suffient to pay the bills on going.

However, a lot of people looking to file bankruptcy for the first time do not think about this. Often time people are shocked to find out that they must pay money in order to file a bankruptcy. The first thought in their minds are, if I had money to give a bankruptcy attorney, I could pay my bills. While this may be true for some people, the reality is that attorneys, like anyone else with a job, needs to be paid for their time and expertise. Ask your lawyer about a payment plan. Some attorneys may work with you.Do I have to pay for a bankruptcy attorney?

Short answer: If you want a bankruptcy attorney to help you file bankruptcy, Yes. Bankruptcy Attorneys do no work for free, nor are they compensated by the government in anyway. So, Yes is the answer. That being said, it is possible to file bankruptcy without the use of an attorney. However, there are filing fees with the courts that will be paid. While there are waivers available to discount the cost of bankruptcy, you must pay money out of pocket for something.