If you're facing difficult financial times, filing for bankruptcy may be your best option. Qualifying for this legal status can certainly take a load off your mind when it comes to debt you simply can't pay. It's important for your overall success to know specific details about the filing process and where you should go to file. Getting any of your questions answered about the location and details of the filing process can be extremely helpful to you in this situation.

Question #1:  What are the laws in your jurisdiction?

In order to begin the process of filing for bankruptcy, it is necessary to file your papers at the courthouse within your jurisdiction. This is based on the county in which you live and the courthouse that provides legal services for this specific area.

It is legally required for you only to file within the jurisdiction where you have lived for the 180 days preceding your application. You will need to provide proof that this has been your residence for this amount of time, and also that you currently reside at this location.

Question #2: How do you find your courthouse?

If you aren't sure where the courthouse is in your area because you've never used it, it's important to find out where it is before filing.  One way to do this is by visiting a court locator website for the United States and putting in your zip code. The result that you get will provide you the exact place where you will need to go file the bankruptcy forms.

Question #3:  What if you just moved?

In case you've just relocated and lived at your new location for less than 180 days, you will need to file bankruptcy where you have resided for the longest amount of time during those 180 days.

For example, if you lived in North Carolina for a year, but just moved to California and have only been there for a couple weeks, you will have to file bankruptcy in North Carolina.

The first step in filing for any type of bankruptcy will be to understand fully where you need to file. Bankruptcy can be a complex process. If you feel the entire procedure is too much for you to complete on your own, be sure to rely on the expertise of a bankruptcy attorney, such as Richard S. Ross - Bankruptcy Attorney, who can help guide you through it entirely.