Millions of Americans have been in financial trouble during this economic downturn. These people are looking to file bankruptcy, but might need tips on how to find a personal bankruptcy attorney.
People make the most common mistake of trying to save money by filing for bankruptcy themselves. It’s almost impossible to understand everything about bankruptcy.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when you need a lawyer to guide you through the legal maze.
- First, remember that your attorney will be working with you for many weeks or months. You want someone you can trust and feel at ease with.
- Before you make a decision to hire a bankruptcy attorney, be sure to thoroughly interview them. Many bankruptcy attorneys offer free consultations so that you can ask all your questions about bankruptcy. Ask them about their fees and how many associates they will be handling your case when you meet with them.
- Ask your attorney how many personal bankruptcy filings they handle each year. Personal bankruptcy is different from corporate bankruptcy. You need a lawyer who has experience in the type of bankruptcy that you are filing. If they only handle corporate bankruptcy cases, it doesn’t matter if they do not handle personal bankruptcies.
- Make sure you have all of the paperwork you need to meet with your chosen attorney when you make your decision. If your attorney doesn’t give you a list, you can ask them. This is how we start our bankruptcy process.
You will need all documents regarding secured and unsecured loans, medical and credit card bills, as well as all information about your checking and savings accounts. An attorney will be able to determine how much debt and assets you have. You can do yourself a favor by refusing to lie. It’s not worth lying about assets if it comes out.
- The state in which you live will affect whether you are able to keep your home and other assets. An attorney will help you determine which of the many types of bankruptcy options are best for you.
It can be nerve-racking to go through bankruptcy. It can be nerve-racking. To make the process easier, you need an advocate. So that this process is less painful, make sure to find a good personal bankruptcy attorney.
This article was written by Alla Tenina. Alla is a top Orange County Estate Planning Attorney, and the founder of Tenina Law. She has experience in bankruptcies, real estate planning, and complex tax matters. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
