It’s hard to know where to start when choosing a bankruptcy attorney, and with so many options to choose from, the process can be a little overwhelming. Luckily there are a few handy tips that can help you quickly narrow down your best choices.
Do your homework.
- Look up attorneys in your area. Avoid committing to an attorney until you have thoroughly researched his or her firm.
- Does it appear the attorney is knowledgeable, experienced, responsive to his or her clients?
- Visit their website and find our where their office or offices are located. While many aspects of a case can be done over the phone or online, the attorney you chose should have conveniently located offices you can visit in person should you need to.
Meet with the attorney or even several attorneys
Whether you choose to do a consultation by phone or in person, your attorney and his staff’s personality are very important! Some law firms are very customer service oriented and believe the client should be treated like gold. Others it’s hard to get a callback or straight answer from. The only way you have a chance at learning which you might be dealing with is to meet with them. Call them, meet with them, drop by, and discuss your questions and concerns. A good attorney will welcome you in and make sure all of your questions are being answered, without making you feel like a bother. Remember, you are paying your attorney good money, and should expect top service in return. Don’t hesitate to meet with more than one attorney if you are not convinced you’ve found a great fit for your case.
Experience and Cost
Bankruptcy law is a minefield, and using petition preparers, or inexperienced bankruptcy attorneys can lead to massive issues with your case and even the loss of your assets and denial of your bankruptcy discharge. Avoid the bottom dollar cheapest bankruptcy attorneys, as they are often 1 man or woman shows with little to know support staff and can be difficult to get ahold of. You hopefully will only be filing bankruptcy once in your life if ever, so you want to make sure you get it right. Like most things in life, the cheapest priced product is not the way to go. Your bankruptcy attorney should be experienced in filing thousands of cases and has a proven track record of providing high-quality bankruptcy services for a good price.
Know what you expect and want before you meet with an attorney. Are you looking for the cheapest and do not care about experience? Do you want someone who will answer your calls and hold your hand through this tough experience? Do you just want someone who is close to you? Determine what you want in an attorney before you start looking.
My uncle is hoping to find a reputable bankruptcy attorney soon to help him. I love how you recommend meeting with an attorney in person and to make sure they are answering all of your questions. I will have to recommend that my uncle meets with every attorney he considers hiring in person before he chooses one.