Online bankruptcy filing is only available for bankruptcy attorneys. While you can download bankruptcy forms, find bankruptcy software online or have your bankruptcy lawyer submit your bankruptcy forms online – but if you prepare your forms by yourself you cannot submit them online.

You will have to submit a specific number of copies of your petition to the court and each court has different rules for the creditor matrix as well.

Do It Yourself – If you choose to file your bankruptcy after filling out the forms yourself, you will be responsible for learning the bankruptcy laws and finding out where you submit your bankruptcy forms. You will also need to find the bankruptcy expemptions available in your state to use when filling out your bankruptcy forms.

You will also need to represent yourself at your 341 meeting if you file pro se. While you can represent yourself, you need to make sure you know the laws in order to protect your property.

Hire An Attorney – Hiring a bankruptcy attorney is also an option, they will most likely look over your case, advise you on the chapter of bankruptcy that is right for you, after gathering your information they will fill out the bankruptcy petition and file it at the courthouse.

Your attorney will also be responsible for representing you at the 341 meeting. While this method requires the least amount of work and aggravation on your part, but the trade off is that the cost is much higher.