How to File Bankruptcy Yourself: A 10-Step Guide to Filing Pro Se

Yes, you can file bankruptcy without a lawyer. While challenging, filing bankruptcy yourself (known as “pro se”) can save you thousands in attorney fees. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your own in 2025.

The DIY Bankruptcy Process: What You Need to Know

Filing bankruptcy without legal help isn’t for everyone, but many people with straightforward financial situations successfully navigate the process. Here’s what you need to know before deciding if this route is right for you.

Is Filing Bankruptcy Yourself a Good Idea?

Self-filing works best for individuals with:

• Simple financial situations
• Primarily unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills)
• Few valuable assets
• The time and patience to handle paperwork

If your case involves businesses, significant assets, or potential fraud allegations, consulting an attorney is strongly recommended.

How to File Bankruptcy Without an Attorney: 10 Essential Steps

1. Understand What Pro Se Filing Means

“Pro se” means representing yourself without legal counsel. While courts allow this option, they recognize the complexity of bankruptcy law. You’ll need to follow the same rules and procedures that attorneys do, with no special allowances for being self-represented.

2. Gather Your Financial Documents

Before filing, collect these essential records:

• Credit reports from all three bureaus
• Six months of pay stubs or income proof
• Last two years of tax returns
• Recent bank statements
• Complete list of assets and their values
• Comprehensive debt inventory
• Vehicle registrations and property documents

Organization is crucial here—create digital and physical folders to keep everything accessible.

3. Complete Required Credit Counseling

Before filing, you must complete an approved credit counseling course from a U.S. Trustee-approved provider. This mandatory session typically:

• Takes 60-90 minutes
• Costs $25-50 (though fee waivers may be available)
• It can be completed online or by phone
• Must be finished within 180 days before filing

The course evaluates whether you truly need bankruptcy or if alternatives to bankruptcy might work for your situation.

4. Fill Out the Bankruptcy Forms

This is the most time-consuming part of the process. You’ll need to complete numerous official forms, including:

• Voluntary Petition (Form 101)
• Schedules A through J (listing assets, debts, income, expenses)
• Statement of Financial Affairs (Form 107)
• Means Test forms (Forms 122A-1 and possibly 122A-2)
• Creditor mailing matrix
• Statement of Social Security Number
• Certificate of Credit Counseling

Accuracy is critical—false statements could result in your case being dismissed or even charges of bankruptcy fraud.

5. Pay the Filing Fee or Request a Waiver

As of 2025, the Chapter 7 filing fee is approximately $338. You have three options:

• Pay the full fee when filing
• Apply to pay in installments (typically four payments)
• Request a fee waiver if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty line.

For fee waivers, you’ll need to complete Form 103B and provide proof of financial hardship.

6. File Your Bankruptcy Petition

Take your completed paperwork to your local bankruptcy court clerk’s office. Be prepared with:

• Original signed forms
• The required number of copies (varies by district)
• Filing fee, installment application, or fee waiver request
• Government-issued photo ID

Once filed, you’ll receive:

• Your bankruptcy case number
• Your assigned trustee’s contact information
• The date for your 341 meeting of creditors

7. Submit Additional Documents to Your Trustee

After filing, you’ll need to send supporting documentation directly to your assigned trustee:

• Recent pay stubs
• Tax returns (often the most recent filed)
• Bank statements
• Other financial records they request

These documents help the trustee verify the information in your bankruptcy forms. Missing deadlines for these submissions can jeopardize your case.

8. Complete a Financial Management Course

After filing but before receiving your discharge, you must complete a second mandatory course on financial management. This course:

• Focuses on budgeting and future financial stability
• Takes approximately two hours and must be from an approved provider
• Results in a certificate that must be filed with the court

9. Attend the 341 Meeting of Creditors

About a month after filing, you’ll attend the “341 meeting,” where your trustee and potentially your creditors can ask questions about your finances. This meeting:

• Typically lasts 5-10 minutes
• Requires you to answer questions under oath
• Is mandatory—failing to appear can result in case dismissal
• Usuall, ity, it doesn’t involve creditors actually appearing

Bring a government-issued photo ID and proof of your Social Security number.

10. Address Secured Debts

For debts tied to collateral (like car loans or mortgages), you must decide whether to:

• Surrender the property
• Redeem it (pay market value in a lump sum)
• Reaffirm the debt (continue payments outside bankruptcy)
• In some cases, “ride through” (continue payments without reaffirmation)

These decisions must be formalized through the proper forms filed with the court.

DIY Bankruptcy Filing Timeline

Pro Tips for Successful Pro Se Bankruptcy

1. Use available resources: Tools like Upsolve (for simple Chapter 7 cases) provide guided filing assistance at no cost.
2. Consult with legal aid: Many areas offer free bankruptcy clinics where you can get basic questions answered.
3. Follow court rules precisely: Each bankruptcy district has local rules about document formatting and submission procedures.
4. Be completely honest: What happens when you declare bankruptcy depends largely on your transparency. Hiding assets or income can result in denied discharge or worse.
5. Keep copies of everything: Maintain digital and physical copies of all documents for your records.

When to Consider Hiring an Attorney Instead

Some situations make self-filing especially risky:

• You own a business
• You have significant equity in your home
• You’ve made large transfers of money or property recently
• You have tax debts or student loans you’re hoping to discharge
• You’ve previously filed for bankruptcy
• You’re behind on mortgage or car payments and want to keep these assets

In these cases, the money saved by filing pro se might not justify the potential risks.

Life After Bankruptcy: The Road to Financial Recovery

Successfully completing bankruptcy is just the beginning. Focus next on rebuilding credit after bankruptcy through secured credit cards, credit-builder loans, and maintaining perfect payment history on all accounts.

Remember that bankruptcy remains on your credit report for up to 10 years, but its impact decreases over time as you establish a new, positive credit history.