The internet is the height of convenience. Despite all the complaints we might have about technology, one thing we can admit is that being able to handle all of your expenses from the comfort of your desk is no small luxury. But can you make a big financial like bankruptcy online? Is it possible to file for bankruptcy over the internet?
In this article, we’ll discuss what your options are when considering whether or not you can file for bankruptcy online. By the time we’re done, you’ll hopefully have all the info you need to make the right call.
Can You File For Bankruptcy Online?
For the most part you can file for bankruptcy online. There are a few caveats, as there are with really any big decision, but you likely won’t have trouble finding ways to make such a difficult decision with at least a little bit of comfort and confidence.
With your computer, you can do a number of things related to bankruptcy. For one, you can, in fact, receive bankruptcy filing forms and any local documentation relating to your application for bankruptcy. This takes a lot of the stress of gathering documents and filing papers out of the task.
You will also be notified about the progress of your bankruptcy case over the internet. Your bankruptcy court will send you email updates stating the important facts of your bankruptcy case. This will help you track your financial situation and get a hold on where you are.
After your bankruptcy is filed, you may also be able to check on how your repayment plan through the internet. While this feels more like a chore than a privilege, it will help in the necessary budgeting process that will come during your recovery phase.
You Cannot Do the Actual Filing
Unfortunately, most of us will have to do the actual, physical filing part of filing for bankruptcy in an actual, physical setting.
There may, however, be places where the filing process can be done completely online. This will depend on the district your filing in and the rules and regulations it has decided upon in the past.
If you’re unsure of the rules in your district, it might be good to consult a financial professional. The may be able to help you jump through all the hoops when filing bankruptcy and advise you on recovery afterwards.
Trustees also might not be so hospitable to the idea of going paperless. While many districts have discussed moving in a more electronic direction, the trust that floats around the idea of the hard copy filing process is just too big to overcome for most trustees. This is why hard copies may still be required here.
Any fees related to court filing are also usually not offered on an online basis.
Thus, there’s a lot of the process you can do online, and a lot that you can’t. You will be able to do a lot of the filing documents electronically, but submitting them and onward will be a physical process.