Money
I'm thinking about filing bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is handled only in federal court, so the county's Civil Law Self-Help Center has no bankruptcy forms or guides. Free help does exist in Las Vegas. Here's where to start and what to do about any state court case you're already in.
What to do first
1. Take the free bankruptcy class from Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada.
It helps you decide whether bankruptcy fits your situation. If you want Legal Aid Center to
represent you for free in a Chapter 7 case, you have to take this class first, and you'll get
an intake form and a list of documents to bring.
Register for the class ·
class schedule.
3. Do credit counseling before you file. You can't be a bankruptcy debtor unless
an approved nonprofit credit counseling agency gave you a briefing in the 180 days before you
file (11 U.S.C. § 109(h)(1)). The Legal Aid Center class does not count for this. Pick an agency
from the U.S. Trustee's
approved list.
4. Plan for the second course after you file. A debtor education course has to
be finished after filing. You need certificates for both courses before your debts can be
discharged (
U.S. Courts).
5. If you're already being sued in a Nevada court, tell that court about your
bankruptcy. File a Notice of Bankruptcy Action in the state case (forms below) and attach the
bankruptcy court's notice of filing, dismissal or discharge. Ask your bankruptcy lawyer what else
to do in that case.
Timing that matters
| What | When | Source |
|---|
| Credit counseling briefing | Within the 180 days before you file | 11 U.S.C. § 109(h)(1) |
| Debtor education course | After you file, and before your debts can be discharged | U.S. Courts |
| Legal Aid Center bankruptcy class | Before Legal Aid Center will take your Chapter 7 case | Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada |
Court staff and bankruptcy judges are not allowed to give legal advice. If you
file without a lawyer, you're held to the same rules a lawyer would be.
Forms
Notice of Bankruptcy Action (justice court case) —
fillable PDF.
Notice of Bankruptcy Action (small claims case) — for when the defendant filed
bankruptcy:
fillable PDF.
Other state court forms are on the Self-Help Center's
Forms page.
The court
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada — a federal court, separate from
the county courts at the Regional Justice Center.
nvb.uscourts.gov.
Free help
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada — 725 E. Charleston Blvd.
702-386-1070. Free bankruptcy class, and free Chapter 7
representation for people who qualify.
Bankruptcy help.
Good to know
If a court has already entered an eviction judgment against you, filing bankruptcy usually won't
stop the eviction, according to Legal Aid Center. Talk to an experienced lawyer first, and keep
following the eviction deadlines. A bankruptcy petition preparer who
isn't a lawyer can only type your answers into the forms. They can't give you legal advice, sign
for you, take your court fees, or help you in court.