You need a license to practice law before you can represent anyone.

Generally, a law degree requires three years of school, after you get your bachelors degree.

After getting a law degree, you must pass a written test for every state you want to practice in before becoming a member of “The Bar” and be eligible to represent people in court.

There is no formal requirement to meet before specializing in bankruptcy, that is a personal choice.

Bachelor’s Degree required by all law schools to be admitted to law school. Law School is three years if attending full time.

Yes, you need to be an attorney to represent persons before bankruptcy court. These practitioners are typically specialists in this field because it is a highly regulated area of law (and all federal law).

Be careful of different companies that hold themselves out to be document preparers or the like. A lot of non-lawyers will tell you they are only in the business of helping you fill out forms to do your own legal affairs.

Some of these practitioners are legit, but many come real close to the illegal practice of law without a license. When they start out anything with “look, don’t take this as me giving you legal advice, but….” that’s where you start having problems. Use an attorney…do it right. You also want an attorney to explain the nuances of the law and the consequences (for years to come) of filing for bankruptcy.