Can I Just Put Anything On My Petition To Get My Bankruptcy Filed In A Hurry?

So you’ve waited to the last minute to file your bankruptcy. The creditors have won a judgment against you and it’s just a matter of days before they garnish your wages and bank account. If this is true or you are facing some other equally desperate situation, then you’re probably in a rush to file bankruptcy.

Here’s what you should NOT do just because you’re in a rush to file your bankruptcy:

  1. File your bankruptcy with a bunch of blanks.  If you file your bankruptcy petition without filling it out, you are guaranteed to face a bankruptcy dismissal.  A bankruptcy dismissal could make it difficult for you to re-file bankruptcy and even if you do re-file, you may not be able to do so until after a certain amount of time has passed. And if you don’t think that’s bad enough, once you do file bankruptcy after a dismissal you may not be able to get the full benefit of the automatic stay.
  2. File your bankruptcy with grossly inaccurate information.  Once again if you file bankruptcy with information that is so far from reality the bankruptcy trustee won’t believe that you were making an honest guess, then you may face a dismissal.  All debtors, whether they are in a rush or not, need to make sure that they provide the bankruptcy court with accurate statements on income and debts.
  3. File your bankruptcy through some online automated system and skip the professional advice of a bankruptcy attorney. Because the numbers of bankruptcy filings have significantly increased, we are also seeing an increase in the number of online bankruptcy preparers. Many of these individuals are not bankruptcy attorneys and may not be able to provide the advice you need to avoid a bankruptcy dismissal or a denial of your bankruptcy discharge. Save yourself time, money and stress by working with a professional bankruptcy attorney who can advise you on your specific financial situation.