Expert: Terry Leeders - 6/21/2007

Question
I am under a Chapter 13 and it is being dimissed because I cannot make payments.  I do not have the money to convert as my attorney wants several hundred more dollars to do so.  I am on disability and not likely to have the money in the near future.  Is it possible to file for Chapter 7 without an attorney?  There are no new debts and I have been under the Chapter 13 for about 2 years.

Answer
It is possible to convert your case without an attorney, but I don't recommend it.  You could have assets that might not be protected under the conversion, you may have too much income to convert your case, and you would have to complete the means test analysis, although possible, there are many pitfalls that can catch the unwary.  Therefore, I strongly recommend you pay the attorney to convert your bankruptcy case for you.