How to find the right bankruptcy attorney

I will assume that you are looking for a bankruptcy attorney because you have already exhausted all other avenues to avoid filing for bankruptcy. If you have not already done so, I strongly recommend that you thoroughly investigate all other options and alternatives, as bankruptcy should be considered only as your last resort. A bankruptcy filing will stay on your credit report for 7-10 years, and it will be a big red flag every time you apply for credit or a loan in the future, as well as the possibility that you won’t get a new job. based on a credit report run on you.

It is not entirely necessary to hire an attorney when filing for bankruptcy, but in the vast majority of cases, it is highly recommended to do so. The various legal forms and requirements can be a full-time job for someone who is not intimately familiar with the legal system, and one misstep can mean the difference between favorable terms, or perhaps even terms that put you in a worse situation than which is. now.

Even with all of the bankruptcy attorneys combined, not all bankruptcy attorneys specialize in the same types of cases, so you want to make sure you find an attorney who is very familiar with the type of financial hardship you are facing. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as walking through the yellow pages and browsing through page after page of attorney listings. Our website contains a form where you can identify your specific situation and then be referred to a bankruptcy attorney who is LOCAL to you and familiar with your particular type of situation and circumstances.

When you meet with your bankruptcy attorney, you’ll want to maximize both your time and his or her time, so be sure to bring all relevant information with you. Bring a list of all creditors, their required monthly payment for each, the current outstanding balance for each, account numbers, and the status of each debt in terms of current, 30 days past due, 60 days past due, etc. . Also provide information about the creditors you have spoken with, as well as any particular arrangements you have already made with any of these creditors.

Your bankruptcy attorney can prevent you from being harassed by creditors, and this can start right after you’ve retained their services. With all the stress of this type of financial situation, constant phone calls from creditors, each one more threatening or sinister than the last, can add a lot of extra stress that you just don’t need right now in your life. situation. .

Your bankruptcy attorney will be familiar with the new laws that affect bankruptcy filings. Today it is not as easy to file for bankruptcy as it was a few years ago. In some situations, you may need to go through credit counseling before you are allowed to file for bankruptcy. In fact, after becoming familiar with your specific situation, your attorney may recommend other options or alternatives to bankruptcy, perhaps options that you had not previously considered.

In summary, keep in mind that just because someone has passed the bar exam does not mean that they can be a competent bankruptcy attorney. Be sure to find one that specializes in your particular type of bankruptcy to get your best bet to resolve this situation as easily and painlessly as possible.