Legal•Info

Hiring A Bankruptcy Lawyer

Bankruptcy can be a difficult experience. The way a person goes about handling a bankruptcy will have a major impact on their financial future. The last thing a debtor wants to do is turn an already unfortunate financial situation into a complete catastrophe due to an unqualified bankruptcy attorney or lawyer.

Attempting to handle bankruptcy on your own is very difficult. Filing for bankruptcy independently can postpone the process due to the debtor's inability to complete the task. An experienced bankruptcy attorney will know every aspect of the bankruptcy law and therefore save the debtor time.

Bankruptcy attorneys will charge for their services. However, their services are generally well worth the cost in the end. It is important to do as much research as possible when trying to hire a bankruptcy attorney.

The American Bankruptcy Institute, or ABI, can give a debtor sound information and unbiased analysis regarding bankruptcy. Bankruptcy attorneys who are certified by the American Bankruptcy Institute are reputable and very skilled in bankruptcy law.

It's important when looking for an attorney to not take your time finding one. Waiting until the last minute to find a good bankruptcy attorney is never a good idea. In that scenario, even if you do end up hiring a good attorney, they won't have nearly enough time to thoroughly prepare for a case, leaving the desired results unfulfilled. Another good tip is to not mistake a friend's referral as a perfect fit for your case; everyone's situation is a bit different, and what constitutes a good bankruptcy attorney varies depends on the case.

Asking for suggestions from legal professionals is a good idea, mainly because they at least understand more about the bankruptcy process and what makes an attorney worth your time. Another good way to learn about what to expect from a bankruptcy attorney is by spending a day at a bankruptcy court. It is also a good way to find an attorney who is local to you and evaluate who is specialized and who is not. Presenting yourself with the opportunity to speak with other debtors who have gone or are going through the process allows you to seek out valuable tips. Bankruptcy court panels are also good places to find an attorney who deals specifically with bankruptcy.

Once you've slimmed down the selection process, the next step is to pay close attention to a law firm's office when visiting. While at a particular office, try to look around and see how well-organized it is. The general environment of the office is a great indicator of how equipped the office will be in handling your case.

If you are considering bankruptcy, you should find out as much information as possible regarding an attorney's experience and specializations. It may be helpful to find out the number of cases that the attorney takes in a typical year, and how many he or she has handled in their career. Also, it is imperative that a debtor find out all the information regarding his or her attorney's fees before hiring them. Some states set attorney fees, while others do not. Other helpful facts to know are what the time frames are and the filing requirements within the firm, so you can know what is expected of you.

It is also important to not automatically attempt to find the cheapest lawyer around, even though you may not have a lot of cash to hold on to. In the end, getting a cheap lawyer could end up costing you more than going with one who may cost some more money. Very often, you'll find that more expensive lawyers know the system better and end up doing the best job when it comes to representing you.
There should be a certain going rate in your area, and a local bar association can help when trying to learn what is a fair price or not. It's important to find out what the fees for your bankruptcy attorney are and what you are getting for them, as well as what's not included in the fees.

Depending on the attorney, first-time consultations may require a fee. However, there are attorneys that offer free consultations in order to assess a potential client's situation.

It is necessary for the debtor and the attorney to spend time together figuring out the best way to solve the debtor's financial problems. After evaluating a debtor's financial situation debts, number of dependents, living expenses, income, and other information the attorney will be able to decide whether bankruptcy is the right choice for their client. The debtor may find that there is a better alternative to bankruptcy, but if not, the attorney will decide which form of bankruptcy is more appropriate for the debtor in question.

It's important to stay involved throughout the whole process, so you can double-check on what is going on and make sure everything is going smoothly. This also helps to keep an attorney in line and know that you take the situation seriously and they should as well.