Document Preparation Services (Docu-preps) and Bankruptcy in Arizona

Here in Arizona there is no unauthorized practice of law statute.

There are, therefore, document preparation services that will word-process wills, bankruptcy petitions and schedules, and divorce packages.

The prices for those services will vary. The prices for word processing a bankruptcy package is apparently held to a ceiling of $200, because the docu-prep services are permitted to provide typing and clerical services, but not legal advice to a potential debtor.

Have I ever referred anybody over to a typing service for a bankruptcy? No.

Would I ever do so? Ever is a long time, I suppose.

But a "no advice" service would make me nervous if I were filing a bankruptcy.

There is, after all, so much to go wrong. go wrong. go wrong.

At a Flagstaff first meeting of creditors in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case, I watched a debtor couple lose three vehicles that were not exempt. And that made me sad.

I knew if they had gone to somebody who knew what they were doing, and who was permitted to give advice, the couple would have sold the vehicles prior to filing and at least been ahead of the game for six months worth of food, fuel and provisions, whatever provisions are.

But it made me sad.