How to choose a bankruptcy attorney
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Here are some steps to follow: Make a list of local bankruptcy attorneys to evaluate. If you have a friend or relative who has declared bankruptcy, ask... Make appointments with several bankruptcy lawyers. This is an opportunity to get to know each attorney’s personality,... Prepare for your ...
How To Choose a Bankruptcy Attorney Guidance on Choosing a Bankruptcy Attorney. The state of one’s finances is personal issue that many people do not like... Don’t Be Mislead. Just because an attorney advertises on TV that he or she is experienced in bankruptcy doesn’t mean... Ask Crucial Questions. ...
Feb 04, 2022 · Experience. You want a lawyer that has experience in this specific field. This means that they frequently handle bankruptcy cases, and they understand the ins and outs of the different situations. They should know about all the bankruptcy laws and how different assets are handled during bankruptcy proceedings.
Jun 17, 2021 · Your choice of a bankruptcy attorney should be about quality, not quantity, because you are relying on that person to set you on the right financial path for years to come. “Will you be appearing for me at all required trustee meetings and court hearings?” “Appearance counsel” is becoming more common nowadays.
Bankruptcy is an official legal process. It is complex and detailed and involves many deadlines and procedures. While a bankruptcy attorney may not be required for an individual to file bankruptcy, legal representation is strongly recommended. There are many court forms to complete and documents to file.
To find the best bankruptcy lawyer for you, be prepared to spend a little time coming up with a list of potential attorneys and then meeting with them personally before making a decision. Here are some steps to follow:
Although meeting with each attorney on your list and asking questions is important, it is also advisable to do some additional research. Here are some important aspects to investigate:
The state of one’s finances is personal issue that many people do not like to talk about. However, when seeking legal representation to help you deal with debt through filing for bankruptcy, it is important to be honest and ask questions.
How many bankruptcy cases have you filed? How long have you been handling bankruptcy matters? Do you have a direct connection to each case? What are your fees for filing a bankruptcy? How often do I receive an update on my case? Do you handle Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Can you stop harassment by your creditors? Do you know how to work the Means Test? These questions, and more, should be asked before you hire a bankruptcy lawyer.
Bankruptcy is a very serious matter that affects all aspects of your life. It is essential that you find a lawyer who not only understands how to file for bankruptcy but who can also help you understand all of the impact that a bankruptcy will have on your life − the negative effects and positive effects.
Once you have a few potential representatives in mind, call their firms and ask to speak to them.
First and foremost, a good bankruptcy attorney will be honest with you throughout the whole case. They should not necessarily tell you what you want to hear but give you their honest opinion about your situation and what they think the best course of action is for your case. The attorney will not take the case just because of purposes of convenience. They should be willing to share their own experience with you and what it’s like to handle a similar case.
Before you hire a lawyer, it is important to understand that there are many different bankruptcy laws. A good lawyer will know how each law pertains to your situation. This is because this knowledge makes for better legal representation. The various laws involved in bankruptcy include bankruptcy fraud and consumer protection. These laws are there to protect you, but you should hire a lawyer that is familiar with each of these areas of the law.
When you deal with a larger bankruptcy firm, you’re going to be dealing with attorneys that are managing several clients at the same time. At Butcher Law Office, our philosophy is different. Instead of working in volume, we tried to provide the best one-on-one experience for every client.
Some attorneys play both sides of the field. In other words, they deal in debt and collections, including bankruptcy law. While they’re helping prepare your bankruptcy filing, they’re also filing lawsuits against debtors or someone else in their firm is. In other words, they’re creditor’s rights attorneys who moonlight filing bankruptcies.
Bankruptcy mills may only cater to those filing bankruptcies, but they work in volume, often (but not necessarily) cutting their potential clients small deals. The problem with bankruptcy mills is that, because they work in volume, they can’t adapt their advice to your individual situation.
A quality bankruptcy attorney should be able to work within your financial means. Bankruptcy attorneys understand that you’re already struggling, but their job is to leave you in a better position than you were before, not to add to your debt.
Tom is a member of the Debtor-Creditor Section Oregon State Bar. He worked at two bankruptcy law firms prior to starting his own practice. He spends time as a volunteer at Lane County Legal Services and Legal Aid Services in Oregon helping individuals who meet specific financial requirements get the quality representation they need to start fresh.
Tom Butcher is the owner and attorney at Butcher Law Office, LLC. He represents clients in financial distress in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Tom offers a friendly, respectful, and compassionate experience for clients who are in financial and legal distress.
Filing bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay against all debt collection activities.
The experience and expertise of a professional bankruptcy attorney must be taken into account.
At the Bankruptcy law firm of Robert M. Geller, our goal is to simplify the bankruptcy filing process as much as possible. We realize that you are seeking our support at a very stressful time in your life and we’ll be at your side from beginning to end.