Filing for bankruptcy is a process filled with complex legal hurdles and deadlines set by the bankruptcy court. It is an ambitious undertaking to navigate through the bankruptcy web without the professional services of an experienced bankruptcy attorney. Most cases of pro se bankruptcy filers are dismissed. Here are the most common mistakes that debtors, who represent themselves in bankruptcy cases, make:

* Bankruptcy petitions and forms are not filled out correctly
* Deadlines to submit crucial documentation are not met
* Unpaid filing fees
* Failure to complete pre-bankruptcy or pre-discharge counseling
* Failure to attend the Meeting of Creditors

Beyond that, pro se filers do not have the experience to properly respond and often fail to respond to an Objection to Exemptions or to an Objection to Discharge. Furthermore, failing to claim eligible exemptions or making improper use of exemptions can cause irreparable damage causing you to lose property, when in fact the whole idea of bankruptcy is to salvage your property at the brink of insolvency.

The potential risk of going it alone can be easily offset by hiring a bankruptcy attorney who knows the procedures, laws and terminology for filing bankruptcy successfully and can explain everything in simple language to help you make informed decisions. While you need to consider the cost of hiring a bankruptcy attorney, also consider what is at risk. It is a worthwhile investment.