 TITLE: What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? CONTENT: How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy\n------------------------------------\nYou can choose to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on your own or hire an attorney to help. Some legal aid centers and nonprofit credit counseling agencies may also be able to offer you free assistance. Once you determine that you're eligible, the process will be largely the same:\n1.  **Attend counseling**: It starts with an individual or group credit counseling course from an approved credit counseling agency, which may take place online or over the phone. You must do this within 180 days of filing, although there are sometimes exceptions during emergencies or if there aren't enough approved agencies offering the service.\n2.  **File your forms**: On your bankruptcy forms you'll list your property, exemptions, creditors, income, recent transactions and other financial information. If you have secured debts, you'll need to decide whether you want to pay off the debt, continue making payments or surrender the property to the creditor. There's a fee to file the forms, although you can also request a fee waiver based on your income.\n3.  **Send verification documents to the trustee**: Once the court accepts your filing, you'll need to send documents to the bankruptcy trustee who will verify your bankruptcy forms. These could include recent bank statements, tax returns, paychecks and business documents.\n4.  **Creditor meeting**: Attend the creditor meeting with the trustee and answer questions about your paperwork and situation. The meeting is often brief, and your creditors may choose not to attend.\n5.  **Attend budget counseling**: Within 60 days of the creditor meeting, you must complete a second course from a counseling agency. Don't forget to submit your certificate of completion to the court, or the court may close your case.\n6.  **Wait for the discharge notice**: Once the court receives your certificate of completion, and often within 60 to 75 days of the creditor meeting, it can discharge your debts. During this time, you might have to give the trustee your nonexempt property, but don't sell or give anything to anyone else you have the trustee's permission.\nLife After Bankruptcy\n---------------------\nFiling bankruptcy can be financially, physically and emotionally draining. However, it may be your best option when bills keep piling up and you don't have the means to pay your creditors. It's also possible to recover from bankruptcy and rebuild your finances and credit, but it will take time. END