Due to crushing debt that can no longer be paid off, many people are forced to declare bankruptcy. However, how to move through the bankruptcy process properly may not be obvious to most people. If mistakes are made, it could mean still having to pay of debt for years or even loosing your property.
To guard against this possibility, a person should find and hire a competent and experienced bankruptcy lawyer. To learn how to find a good bankruptcy lawyer, use the steps listed below.
First, begin looking for potential bankruptcy lawyers. This can include lawyers recommended by friends or acquaintances. It can also include bankruptcy lawyers listed in the phone book. Lawyers in the yellow pages are typically divided by specialty.
Next, meet some of the lawyers you found in your search. Do this by setting up free consultations. Most lawyers offer free consultations. If they do not, they are probably not worth your time regardless.
During the consultation, you should remember to ask certain specific questions. For one, you should inquire about the actual experience that attorney has had with bankruptcies. Find out if his of her practice is primarily concerned with bankruptcy.
Also find out whether or not the lawyer you are speaking to will handle your bankruptcy personally. In certain law practices, a bankruptcy may be handed off to an associate or even a paralegal. You need to know this information ahead of time.
You should also explain your situation to the attorney. He or she will then be able to explain some of the options available to you. You should also discuss payment options. Find out whether or not you can pay for this lawyer through installments.
After the consultation, decide whether or not you're completely comfortable with this lawyer. If not, set up another consultation with a different lawyer.
In fact, it is probably good idea to sit through multiple consultations. This way, you can get a better feel for expertise and options offered by the different lawyers in your area. This will help you determine which of the available choices meet your needs the best.
However, you should still be careful. For example, certain lawyers may offer very low fees compared to others. What this may actually mean is that lawyer is not planning to spend a lot of time on your bankruptcy. Instead, look for a lawyer that offers the best mix of services, assistance, and experience for the right price. Don't simply look for the cheapest lawyer.
If you live in Texas and are looking at filing bankruptcy you will need to find a good lawyer first. You can ask your friends and family if they know or have heard of a bankruptcy lawyer you can check into. Looking in your local yellow pages is another way to find a bankruptcy lawyer. You can also contact your local bankruptcy court for a list of the local lawyers in your area.
If you are planning to file a bankruptcy, you should find an experienced, competent bankruptcy lawyer if you want to succeed. Filing a bankruptcy is a huge decision, but it can help you lift the burden of financial debt from your shoulders. When you meet with a bankruptcy lawyer, you should ask the following questions. Ask your bankruptcy lawyer if you should file a bankruptcy and find out what options you have. A good bankruptcy lawyer can help you decide if you should file a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy. You should also find out what the negative effects and benefits are for filing a bankruptcy. You should find out who will be handling your case. Sometimes the person you meet or speak with is the not the person that handles bankruptcy cases. It would be a good idea for you to talk with the person who is handling your case to discuss your concerns. If you do not feel comfortable with the person who is handling your case, you should find a new bankruptcy lawyer. You should also find out if the bankruptcy lawyer is experienced. Find out how many years he has been handling bankruptcy cases. You should only hire an experienced bankruptcy lawyer to represent your case. When you are shopping around for bankruptcy lawyers, find out how much they charge for their services. Some bankruptcy lawyers charge a flat fee and others charge an hourly rate. Also, you should find out if there are any additional costs for using their services. Compare rates with several lawyers before you choose one to represent you. When you are comparing bankruptcy lawyers, you should also find out what the process involves, what they will need from you, and how long the whole process will take before you find out if your case is approved. Before you meet with a bankruptcy lawyer, jot down any other questions or concerns that you have. That way, you will be able to make an informed decision.
There are many places a person may find a bankruptcy lawyer. For instance, a person may find a bankruptcy lawyer through a friend or family member. Additionally, websites such as Consumer Action Law Group and The Morris Law Group specialize in helping individuals find bankruptcy lawyers.
You can try www.chilawyers.com. They specialize in bankruptcy.
You can find a Lawyer for bankruptcy on Lawyers dot com. They have a wide arrange of Lawyers that are professional in every fields and can provide services for any needs.
There are several inexpensive bankruptcy attorneys - try Craigslist.org or http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/firm/Bankruptcy-Law/Omaha/Nebraska
One can find a cheap bankruptcy lawyer in ones local Yellow Pages directory. One can look under the category of Lawyers as there are often many law firms specializing in bankruptcy law.
One can find a bankruptcy attorney in California from the following sources: California Bankruptcy, NOLO, Lawyers, Find Law, Long Beach Bankruptcy Lawyer, Fox Business.
There are several great online sources to find a bankruptcy lawyer. Sites like lawyers.com can be used. The best site for looking for a lawyer is lawyers.findlaw.com. They have all the information you need to help you in your search.
You are not going to find a free bankruptcy lawyer, but you may find a cheap one. Another thing you can do is get all the forms, fill them out, and file them youself. That would cut the cost or find a paralegal to help you do the forms. Go to your local bookstore and find the self help bankruptcy books.
A chapter thirteen attorney will not only help you make your bankruptcy legitimate, they will also help you figure out some of your financial problems to make it easier for you to pay off some of your debts.
The first step in filing bankruptcy is collecting all of your personal financial information. This will include a list of all your secured and unsecured debts (you might find ordering your credit report helpful), tax returns for the last two years, deeds to any real estate you own, car titles, and any other loan documents you may have. Most individuals will choose between filing a "Chapter 7" bankruptcy and a "Chapter 13" bankruptcy. You will benefit from consulting with a bankruptcy lawyer, when determining which form of bankruptcy you should pursue. When you are looking for a bankruptcy lawyer, you will typically benefit from hiring a lawyer who handles a lot of bankruptcy cases, and has good systems in place for processing bankruptcy forms and filings. If you are able, you may wish to seek a referral to a bankruptcy attorney from a lawyer you know and trust. If not, this is a category of lawyer that is often easiest to find through your local Yellow Pages.