How To Find a Bankruptcy Attorney
Credibility
Begin your search online to find the best bankruptcy attorney who will be a good fit for you. Start with the bankruptcy attorneys who have been reviewed positively online. Don’t always select the company that is on the first page of your search results, make sure that you read the reviews left by their previous clients. After selecting a few bankruptcy attorneys to compare later, go to the American Bar Association Website to ensure that your selected attorneys do have a license to practice law. The majority of bankruptcy attorneys who have been practicing bankruptcy law for a while should have a special accreditation. This means that they have been practicing bankruptcy law for a certain number of years.
Compare Different Bankruptcy Attorneys
After you have made your selection of bankruptcy attorneys, it is now time to schedule meetings with them. Some bankruptcy attorneys will provide a free consultation for your first visit. Make sure that when you are comparing attorneys don’t just go off of the lowest price for your bankruptcy filing. Just because an attorney has the lowest price to help you doesn’t mean they are the best option.
Make sure that you bring questions to ask the different bankruptcy attorneys when you meet with them. If you are getting a free consultation, it is best that you use your time wisely. It also helps if you complete the attorneys online consultation form and notify them about the details of your case before the meeting.
Non-Tangible Aspects
The most important part of selecting a bankruptcy attorney is if you can trust them. Here are some item to look at while you are comparing the different bankruptcy attorneys that you have chosen to meet with.
They Present Different Scenarios
Having a bankruptcy attorney outline the difference between Chapter 13, Chapter 7, Chapter 11, etc, is the sign of a quality attorney. Helping you understand the different options that are available to you is a good indicator that you can trust this attorney. It is important to see if the attorney can suggest a quality debt counselor contact. Making sure that you understand all of the options available to you can limit the chances of mistakes being made during your bankruptcy process.
Show a Passion for Helping
Being by asking why the attorneys began practicing bankruptcy law. Do they have a passion for helping people get back towards financial health? Or do they give you a round about answer. It is key in life to make sure that whoever you partner with during a trying time has a passion for their trade. There is no difference when you are searching for the right bankruptcy attorney to work with.
Consultative Approach
Finally, you want to make sure you are comfortable communicating openly with the bankruptcy attorney that you choose to work with. Without knowing all of the information about your case, it will be difficult for him or her to provide a detailed assessment.
Reasonable Consultation Fee
There is no industry average of what a bankruptcy attorney should charge to file your bankruptcy case. Also, fees are different in each State. However, it is most common to see filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is more expensive than filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.
- The average cost to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy can be between $500 – $3,500
- The average cost to file for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy can be between $1,500 – $6,000
Everyone’s financial situation is different and it is important to make sure that whichever attorney that you choose can provide you with the best bankruptcy strategy that fits your financial situation.