Finding the Right Bankruptcy Attorney
If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy a good bankruptcy attorney can help your case. You probably won’t be spending a large amount of time with your attorney but you need to be sure he is reliable and professional. Because of the large volumes of this type of case, bankruptcy petitions are often handled by a clerk or paralegal. Your bankruptcy attorney may only get involved on court day.
However you still need to choose a good bankruptcy attorney for the best chance of a successful outcome. Choosing good legal representation is an important part of the bankruptcy process. Most people don’t take the time to interview their legal firm and might find their case handled by an overworked legal professional who may overlook important details of their case.
You need to be sure that the attorney or firm has a good track record in dealing with bankruptcy cases. This is a specialist field so make sure that you hire an attorney who is experienced in personal bankruptcy. A good bankruptcy attorney may still assign experienced staff to work your case but will remain involved in the process.
A good bankruptcy attorney will discuss time frames and filing requirements with you. He will also tell you what he expects from you during the filing. Never choose an attorney based on his fees. Cheap is not better in this case. Since you are probably not financially able to afford to pay large amounts of money make sure you do get what you pay for.
A good bankruptcy attorney may cost a little more but will save you money in the long run. Find out what a reasonable rate is for your state by asking the local bar association. Next try to determine what the costs of the bankruptcy petition are and what is included in your lawyer’s fees. Find out if any fees are not included. If a forensic accountant is hired, are the fees separate or included in the attorney’s fee?
Can you talk to your bankruptcy attorney? How does he treat you? Is he keeping you informed as to the details of your case? Has he explained the paperwork to you? If a clerk or paralegal has been assigned to your case, are you happy with their progress and communication skills? These are all important questions to help you in choosing a good bankruptcy attorney. Make sure you can answer yes to all of them or find another legal professional to represent your case.
Once you decide on an attorney, make sure you stay involved in the process. This is your bankruptcy and you need to keep informed. A good bankruptcy attorney will keep you informed as to the progress of your case. He or she will be happy to answer any questions you have about the filing. The most important aspect of any legal process is often effective communication between client and attorney.