If you are reading this, you are probably looking for a legit bankruptcy attorney. This detailed guide will teach you how to tell a professional from a rookie or even a bankruptcy scammer. Let’s begin.
Why Hire a Bankruptcy Lawyer?
Although filing bankruptcy is a great way to get rid of debt, it’s usually very stressful and therefore challenging to accomplish without professional assistance. A bankruptcy attorney is aware of the latest legal procedures and requirements to filers. What’s also very important, a lawyer isn’t emotionally involved in the process, which lets them avoid mistakes and wasting time.
Ensure The Right Competency Level
Most bankruptcy cases are considered relatively uncomplicated, but they can quickly become very complicated too. It all depends on your particular case. The difficulty level of your case depends on:
- the bankruptcy chapter you choose;
- specific facts of your individual case (difficulties and risks);
- whether your case is “asset” or “no asset”;
- bankruptcy litigation involvement;
- business ownership.
You have all rights to ask lawyers if they have had bankruptcy filing situations that are similar to yours. If you contact a bankruptcy law firm, it has to be able to offer you a lawyer with the right competency level.
Expect Actionable Legal Advice
After signing the retainer agreement, you can expect your lawyer to take your side and give you the best advice to show you what works in your best interest and what doesn’t. The attorney should also instruct you on what:
- bankruptcy chapter works best for you;
- documents you have to prepare;
- complications and risks are present in your case;
- you should expect while filing for bankruptcy.
Expect Paperwork Assistance
Filing for bankruptcy involves a lot of paperwork. Fortunately, all professional attorneys have knowledge and access to the software needed for bankruptcy documentation preparation and submission to the court. Expect your lawyer to request your financial information, including:
- assets
- income
- expenses
- debt facts
It is necessary that you don’t hide any requested information as all your papers have to be comprehensive and not raise questions during the court process. A good lawyer will instruct you on how to gather all the papers, what documents are not needed, and how to get everything in the quickest way possible.
Expect Explanations on Property Processing
A professional attorney must be able to explain to you what specific assets are exempt and what has to be sold under your bankruptcy chapter. It’s important that you have realistic expectations and a clear understanding of what’s happening without flooding your house with documentation.
Expect Representation at Hearings
The bankruptcy process always involves mandatory that can be assigned if your case requires it. You can expect your lawyer to represent you at the following hearings:
- 341 meeting of creditors;
- Chapter 13 confirmation hearings;
- Chapter 7 reaffirmation hearings;
- Motion or objection hearings are requested by either party that takes part in the process.
The job of your bankruptcy attorney involves instructing you about the hearings so that you can provide the court with the right answers and avoid further complications. Every attorney with real court experience knows where clients can go wrong and instructs them to avoid these typical mistakes.
Expect Attention to Deadlines
Of course, hiring an attorney doesn’t mean that you can relax and let everything go, but a good attorney will always remind you to do all things on time. It’s very important to avoid critical deadlines if you don’t want to be fined or make the court suspicious about your case.
Be Attentive
Choosing the right law firm and attorney is your responsibility. Only you can protect yourself from fraudsters, so take a while to learn as much as possible about bankruptcy processing. It’s impossible to deceive people who don’t let fool themselves!
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