How can a Bankruptcy attorney help if I have no money at all to get caught up with my bills? How would I even afford one?

First, consider working with a reputable debt management group; they can sometimes propose a plan to all of your creditors that will let you pay off what you owe in monthly payments – at much lower interest rates. This approach may cause less damage to your credit than actually filing for bankruptcy.

Second, you can file the bankruptcy forms yourself and either pay the $299 filing fee or ask the court if you can pay it out in several installments. (You can also ask the court to waive the fee altogether). You can download all the forms you will need to fill out at your local bankruptcy court’s Web site.  ( All U.S. Bankruptcy Courts   Just darken the circle by “Bankruptcy Court,” enter your zip code and hit “search”). You can also obtain the forms at the federal government’s Web site).  It’s a tedious process, but it can be done.

Third, some private attorneys will offer you a discount on their fees if your circumstances are extremely negative. If you take this route, be sure to get a written contract spelling out what you must pay and when.

Finally, consider calling your local county bar association and ask who might be able to help you, free of charge. There are both government and private attorneys who will sometimes take on such cases, if you meet certain guidelines for free or pro bono representation.