Since 1989, the Bankruptcy Law Project has developed ways for consumers to gain affordable access to the bankruptcy court. Because of changes in the law, legal advice and guidance are now an essential part of every bankruptcy. The fees for lawyer representation have greatly increased, thus pricing most consumers out of that market. However, our Affordable Attorney Advice system, pioneered in 2004, will solve this problem for most consumers who represent themselves. It combines unlimited telephonic legal advice and Bankruptcy Petition Preparation services. The cost to the self-represented consumer for contracted attorney advice is only $100, and BPP cost is about $150.

Self-represented consumers using this system have the best of both worlds, i.e. a combination of expert legal advice and skilled petition preparation service at less than 25% of lawyer fees. We believe that this 2-part system is now the best way to provide affordable and informed access to the bankruptcy court for those representing themselves. Our new mission, therefore, is to:

1) provide expert legal advice to self-represented consumers, and

2) provide training and support for Bankruptcy Petition Preparers.

Our expert legal advice is provided by an experienced, practicing California bankruptcy lawyer. This provides the BPP with “insurance” against unauthorized practice charges as well as a way for the BPP customers to competently represent themselves throughout their bankruptcy.

Because the new bankruptcy law requires a number of new disclosures, forms and procedures, we offer assistance to BPPs in those areas by providing an overview of BPP practice for those new to the area, the rules governing BPP practice as found in Section 110 of the bankruptcy code, and the mandatory disclosure forms required by Sections 110 and 527 of the bankruptcy code.

We also offer several optional tools for safe BPP practice, including a checklist of Chapter 7 bankruptcy events, model customer handouts, and an acknowledgment of compliance with BPP requirements.

Finally, as the demand for bankruptcy services increases, many Bankruptcy Petition Preparers find it necessary for hands-on training. We have already conducted one highly-successful training in Northern California and look forward to conducting additional trainings in the near future.