A recent client believed this when she filed for bankruptcy without the assistance of an experienced New York bankruptcy attorney. She believed that her Chapter 7 case was straightforward and that she did not need to hire an attorney to assist her.
She filed for bankruptcy based on what she believed to be reliable information from websites professing to know everything about New York exemptions and rules.
Unfortunately, she ran in the incorrect direction. Her bankruptcy case failed, and she came to me for assistance after consulting the incorrect websites for bankruptcy-related information.
The Truth Is Out There - But Hard To Locate
I had no idea how my client, an intelligent and otherwise well-reasoned consumer, could have been misled in her search for trustworthy bankruptcy information.
So I did the obvious and went to Google. And what I discovered astounded me.
Only one law firm (in the paid search section at the top) and the website for the New York bankruptcy court appeared among the top search results. Every other result, including all paid results and four of the top five unpaid results, were paid attorney referral sites.
Not lawyers. Not informational websites. Referral sites.
The fact that a bankruptcy attorney pays for a directory listing does not indicate that they are not competent.
Let's get one thing straight. There are numerous outstanding bankruptcy attorneys who pay for directory listings. And I know many of the proprietors of these directories personally; they are good individuals with strong business ethics. However, these websites do not provide bankruptcy-related information; to suggest otherwise would be equivalent to stating that the Yellow Pages is a resource for recommendations. It's just not true.
If you're searching for reliable bankruptcy information in New York, you should dig deeper.
It would be unnecessary for me to tell you how wonderful this website is and how much information you can discover here. Therefore, despite my strong wish to blow my own horn, I will refrain from doing so. However, I wouldn't be offended if you praised the quality of the bankruptcy information for New York issues on this site.
There are additional sources of reliable bankruptcy information. They are listed below:
Bankruptcy Law Network is comprised of twenty-six bankruptcy attorneys from across the country who share information for free. Disclosure: I am a member of BLN)
MoranLaw.net: This site, operated by California bankruptcy counsel Cathy Moran, contains more bankruptcy information than I've ever seen in a single location by a single individual. It is an exceptional resource for both New York consumers and aspiring bankruptcy attorneys.
U.S. Trustee Program: This government agency is responsible for overseeing bankruptcy filings in the United States, and their bankruptcy information is comprehensive.
Federal Trade Administration
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Southern New York
Self-Help Is of No Assistance
Filing for bankruptcy may appear straightforward, and for many people it is. In contrast, if you obtain your bankruptcy information from a paralegal or someone who is not an experienced bankruptcy attorney, you leave everything to chance. Take the time to sit down with a real, live counsel (in person or over the phone) and get the information you need to make the right decision, even if you decide to represent yourself.
" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/
