Conclusion
Those who seek assistance are generally able to find some guidance, either through the self-help desks or a clinic. Despite these efforts, the indisputable conclusion is that it is better to be represented by qualified counsel. The disparity in outcomes between self-represented debtors and those who have an attorney is vast. While many gaps have been plugged and many debtors are able to succeed without counsel, the Court’s goal is still to encourage attorney representation wherever possible.
The Court has provided appropriate resources physically and online to assist litigants in seeking relief at the Court properly and competently. Our ongoing initiatives will continue to reduce staff time spent processing incorrect filings, allowing staff to focus efforts on offering services providing the greatest benefit to all litigants, represented or not. We will continue to measure whether our existing systems and programs are effective in addressing the needs of self-represented litigants, to evaluate whether the Court is utilizing ever-shrinking resources efficiently, and to tailor programs and services more precisely in the future.