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Bankruptcy Attorney 101



There are positive ways to find a bankruptcy lawyer and several which should be avoided. The following tips can assistance you secure the advantages of a competent, ethical lawyer who will guide you through the bankruptcy procedure. At Legal Helpers, we are committed to helping you find the right lawyer for your situation.

While a "specialist" can be a good choice, be careful of those who advertise bankruptcies heavily. Known as "mills," these large conglomerations handle literally hundreds of bankruptcies a year, and you may become just another number on a list of clients. It is better to secure private service, no matter how attractive an attorney's ads are.

However, it is inadvisable to choose a lawyer with little experience in bankruptcy. The bankruptcy laws have changed drastically in the past few years, with legislation passed aimed at lowering the number of filings. A lawyer must be conversant with the changes in order to represent you effectively.

Here are a few ideas which should help you make this choice and choose an experienced attorney while avoiding bankruptcy mills:

First, ask previous clients for references. If you know of someone who has recently filed for bankruptcy, ask them for a referral and a recommendation. While attorney-client privilege prevents disclosure of confidential information, most individuals are pleased to tell you if they were pleased with an attorney's service. If you do not know anyone who has filed, you can find attorneys by searching the web or phone directories. You can also contact your local bar association, which will guide you to lawyers focusing in bankruptcy practice and admitted to the bankruptcy bar--not all attorneys are. Make a list of those in your region.

Once you have a list, narrowed to five or six potentials, contact the first attorney's office by phone for an appointment. There are several things to look for during this phone interview. Is the office staff friendly and receptive? You could spend a superb deal of time working with paralegals and secretaries, so an unfriendly office staff can be a problem. Is the lawyer readily available to meet with you? If the next available appointment is three months from now, this can not be the lawyer for you. Will you be seeing the lawyer you requested, or given to an associate? A lawyer too busy to meet with you may indicate an overloaded calendar.

Finally, there is the question of price. As with most things, you should hire the best you can afford. Beware attorneys who advertise "$99 bankruptcies" or some other equally unbelievable scheme. These are positive signs of a bankruptcy mill, an unethical lawyer, or both. You’ll be receiving a stay on your bills for the immediate future, which may make a good attorney manageable. Finally, beware of a lawyer that demands a "consultation fee"; most reputable lawyers are happy to give you a free consultation.

With a little research, you can find the right lawyer for your bankruptcy and protect your rights and interests.

 

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