2. Unfortunately, the legal bankruptcy industry has gotten a
bad rap because of a few profit-driven lawyers. However,
your average bankruptcy attorney is usually a pretty good
guy. When you're seeking out professional assistance from
someone to walk you through the bankruptcy process,
start to finish, you want to make sure you get one of the
good ones. When you can afford it, you want to make sure
you get the best.
Because you will spend a lot of time with your bankruptcy
attorney, it's important to think carefully before choosing
who you want to work with. This guide can help take you
through a few of the major questions you'll want answered
before choosing the bankruptcy attorney that is right for
you.
3. What's your specialty?
Bankruptcy cases run the gamut. From business to private,
liquidation to restructuring, there are many different types of
bankruptcy cases. The more experience a bankruptcy attorney
has, the more likely it is that he'll be skilled in a variety of different
types of cases.
Most good bankruptcy forms will operate in either one of three
ways. The firm will choose to specialize in a very specific type of
bankruptcy (e.g. Business Chapter 7), specialize in a particular
type of customer (small business, corporation, personal), or will
offer all services, with different bankruptcy lawyers to specialize in
each area.
There's no right or wrong answer about which option might be
best suited for you. There's nothing wrong with a bankruptcy
firm that offers all bankruptcy-related services. Then again, if
you feel more comfortable choosing a firm that only handles
personal Chapter 7 cases, then go for it.
4. What do you charge?
Of course, this is a big one. While you should "shop around" to a
degree, it can be difficult to fairly compare the services of a
bankruptcy attorney to his colleagues. However, you should at
least get an idea of these figures ahead of time. Know what types
of rates you might face, how much they are, and what services
you get in exchange for your money.
5. How much do you do?
A lot of bankruptcy firms - especially larger ones - will
"outsource" some of the work related to your case to a paralegal
or administrative assistant. This isn't always a bad thing. There's
a lot of work involved with your case that is relatively simple
paper work. Having someone else do it might mean a lower cost.
Always ask about this before contracting a bankruptcy attorney.
6. The Perfect Bankruptcy Attorney
Truth be told, the headline may be a bit misleading. Just as
there are no perfect people, there are no perfect bankruptcy
lawyers. Hopefully, with the information provided in this article,
you can make an educated and informed decision about which
bankruptcy attorney you want to hire for your case.
Every lawyer will have some pros and cons associated with
them. Figuring out which ones really matter to you will ensure
that you get the bankruptcy attorney that is the best fit!