It?s not easy to decide to file for bankruptcy. By working with a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney, though, you can make filing for bankruptcy at least a little less stressful.
But before you do hire a bankruptcy attorney, make sure to ask the right questions. Not all bankruptcy attorneys are right for you. By asking the right questions, though, you?ll discover which attorney makes the most sense to steer you through the difficult process of filing for bankruptcy.
First, ask potential attorneys how much of their practice that they devote to bankruptcy work. Bankruptcy laws change all the time. Attorneys who file bankruptcy cases on a regular basis will remain up to date on the latest nuances of bankruptcy law.
Next, ask attorneys whether they will appear in court with you during the bankruptcy process. Often, you will only have to attend one court hearing. But you?ll want your attorney by your side, not a paralegal. Make sure your attorney does plan on appearing in court with you.
You should also ask bankruptcy attorneys to look at your financial situation to determine if bankruptcy might not be the best option for you. Filing for bankruptcy is extremely damaging to your credit history. Perhaps a bankruptcy attorney will suggest a different course of action. Of course, for many people, filing for bankruptcy, despite its negative effects, is still the best choice.
If you do decide that filing for bankruptcy is the best option, you should then ask attorneys what information they?ll need from you to get the process started. You will need what seems like a mountain of paperwork. A skilled bankruptcy attorney will help you get started on organizing all the necessary documents.
Any attorney with whom you work should be able to give you a written fee agreement. This agreement will spell out exactly what services an attorney will provide for what cost. Having this information written down avoids problems or debates later. If an attorney does not work with a written fee agreement, you should not work with that attorney.
After attorneys answer these questions to your satisfaction, you should then ask about fees. Too many people ask about this first, before taking the time to determine if a particular bankruptcy attorney is the right one for them. Yes, price is important. But just because a bankruptcy attorney charges a lower fee, that doesn?t make him or her the right attorney for you.
But remember, cheaper is not always better. A bankruptcy attorney is handling one of the most important decisions you can make in your lifetime. Now is not the time to skimp. Cost is a consideration, yes, but it should not be the top consideration.