The easiest way to get free or inexpensive bankruptcy advice is to make an appointment with a private attorney. Some attorneys may offer a free initial consultation. Visit our web site for a list of Lawyer Referral Services. You may also consider contacting Legal Aid for inexpensive bankruptcy advice. They will send you an application and schedule a session with a bankruptcy attorney to assess your financial situation to see if you qualify for their services, and assist you in deciding what chapter is appropriate. Their fee is on a sliding scale based on your income. In the Tampa area, they can be contacted in Hillsborough County at (813) 232-1343 or (813) 752-1335, or in Pinellas County at (727) 821-0726 or (727) 443-0657; in Orlando at (407) 841-8310; and in Jacksonville at 904-356-8371. Inexpensive help in typing your petition and other forms is available from “bankruptcy petition preparers.” “Paralegals” and “typing services” are considered bankruptcy petition preparers and not attorneys. They are not employed or supervised by attorneys and cannot represent you in your bankruptcy. Only a licensed attorney can give you legal advice. Bankruptcy petition preparation services are listed in the telephone book. Click on General Information to visit the Court’s website for additional information about filing bankruptcy, as well as a list of bankruptcy terms and their meanings.