If you are considering bankruptcy the last thing you need is stress over hiring an attorney. It is best to find a qualified individual to represent you throughout the bankruptcy proceedings. Don’t thoughtlessly choose a bankruptcy attorney based on criteria such as their fees or the fancy advertisements. Below you will find the five “musts” in choosing a lawyer to represent you.
Bankruptcy Lawyer Essentials
Many individuals choose an attorney based on their fees. This can be one element in the decision process but must not be the key factor in deciding on an attorney. Depending on where you are located bankruptcy attorneys can charge between one thousand and three thousand dollars to process either a Chapter 7, liquidation or Chapter 13, personal reorganization.
Reputable bankruptcy attorneys will never quote a fee over the phone. The cost of the bankruptcy should include considerations specific to your current situation. An attorney’s flat fee will include a consultation that reviews and analyzes the client’s current financial situation, preparing the bankruptcy petition, reviewing the petition with the client, meeting with creditors, following up with creditors all the way through the discharge of the bankruptcy.
Theoretically, any lawyer can process your bankruptcy however it is best to hire only an attorney specializing in bankruptcy to handle your proceedings. An attorney that limits the number of specialties they focus on is a better bet than one that dedicates their practice to ten different areas of law.
Look for a practice where the attorney you initially meet with is the same one that will represent you at the bankruptcy hearing. Many shady firms exist in which they churn and burn cases without taking into consideration each of the clients specific needs. These firms are infamous for haphazard legal work, clients who are discontent as well as trustees and judges that don’t necessarily trust their intentions.
Don’t ever choose an attorney that isn’t easy to talk with. Sharing private financial information is uncomfortable enough let alone if it is uncomfortable to speak with the attorney. The amount of information shared between the client and attorney significantly decreases if there is uneasiness between them. Filing for bankruptcy is an emotional process. Open communication is a must in the client/attorney relationship.
It is not impossible to hire a lawyer that specializes in bankruptcy who is reasonably priced, reputable and easy to talk with. Filing for bankruptcy is not a process that can happen overnight and neither should be hiring an attorney.
Bohikian Law Group specializes in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies in Michigan. Contact us today to find a bankruptcy attorney that will help you in debt relief at http://www.bohikianlaw.com/ today.