When a married couple contemplates the possibility of filing bankruptcy, they might naturally wonder whether they should file together.  They might also wonder what the ramifications would be if they do not.  For most couples, filing jointly will be to their benefit as it will afford both spouses the benefits implied by the bankruptcy, rather than simply conferring these benefits on one spouse but not the other.  However, there are certain circumstances in which this is also not the case.  Herein we shall examine when and why spouses may wish to file together, and what choosing not to file together ultimately looks like.  

Unfortunately, I have witnessed the carnage that can occur when someone thinks it is a good idea to file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on your own. I feel bad for people who do this. I feel worse for people when I see the looks on their face when they realize what deep trouble they are in because they thought they could save a few dollars bypassing a good bankruptcy law firm, and in the end, that desire costs them far more than a good bankruptcy lawyer. Oh sure, there are software programs out there and organizations that crow about filing bankruptcy yourself. Some of these organizations are even non-profit and I think mean well.