Do you have to have an attorney to file chapter 7 bankruptsy?

I owe quite a bit on credit cards and am planning on filing chapter 7 bankruptsy. Since I am unemployed and a student I think I can p the means test easily. I went down to the federal courthouse and they said it would cost $299 to file. If anyone has filed and gone through the new bankruptsy laws and can give me some insight on the process it would be appriciated. Also since my possible cancible debt, not counting my student loans, is around 7 grand, can the judge throw that out or can it be cancelled? The wells fargo collectors said that since the total is small the judge would throw it out. Is this just another threat or is it a possiblility?