How to Find a Good Bankruptcy
Attorney
It’s always best to hire a lawyer who specializes in your area of interest. In this case try to find a lawyer that handles only bankruptcy cases and has been at his trade for at least several years.
A general practitioner is not what you want at this stage in the game. They just don’t have the experience and in-depth knowledge your attorney will need to help you get the full benefit of the legal system.
Here are some of the very best ways to find a reputable bankruptcy lawyer:
Personal Referral
This is always the best approach to finding legal help. If you know anyone who has been through a bankruptcy, get in touch and ask them who handled their case and how satisfied they were with the lawyer’s overall performance.
Most legal aid offices do not offer bankruptcy services but some do. Only use legal aid help if you have no other option. You can only qualify for their help if your income is below their rather low threshold so if you’re not in poverty they probably won’t help you.
Bankruptcy Petition Preparers
These people usually know a good deal about the bankruptcy lawyers in their area. Next to a personal referral asking a paperwork preparer is your next best bet.
Legal Clinics
Some of these clinics offer low-cost services to the general public. Some have income requirements while others are not so strict and might be willing to provide you with consultation and information by phone for little or no money.
Lawyer Referral Services
Most larger towns have a service that advertises that they can help you locate a good attorney. Unfortunately they don’t do a lot of screening so check out any lawyer they suggest before signing on the dotted line.
Internet Lawyer Directories
Search around the web and I’m sure you’ll find a local attorney referral service that includes lawyers in your town. The same rule applies here, be sure to check out any lawyer they come up with.
When you get in front of the lawyer you select don’t get intimated by them or their superior knowledge. You are the customer and you have a right to be satisfied with their service or the option is yours to walk away and find another provider.
Ask the most important questions right off the mark. How do they respond to your questions? Do you get firm, knowledgeable answers or are their answers fuzzy and unspecific?
If they pat you on the head and say something like “Here, here don’t you worry your little head about all this. I’ll take good care of you. From here on your have nothing to worry about”, run don’t walk.
Another problem here is the respected bankruptcy lawyer who palms off his smaller clients to a paralegal or worse a legal secretary. This is another sign that the lawyer isn’t taking you or your dilemma seriously.
Is your lawyer accessible? Can you get him or her on the phone easily or do you get a run-around from their secretary?
During your first chat, try not to sign anything. Take the time to reflect on the experience and then make a decision as to whether this is the person you want to handle your case.
