Bankruptcy Attorney - Steps to Finding the Best One

In this slow economy, you may be like many people who are considering filing for bankruptcy. Although you may be embarrassed to be in your current situation, it is often a necessary step to protect your assets and therefore nothing to be ashamed of. Consider a few details before deciding on a lawyer.

Since this type of law is a complex field, you need to make sure your legal representative is an experienced and competent attorney. The first place to start your search is the website of the American Bar Association, as this will provide you with a listing of lawyers locally who specialize in this subject matter. Using the information on the website, you can check to see whether any of the attorneys in your area have had complaints filed against them. If any of your friends or relatives filed a lawsuit like this in the past, you may want to ask them for a recommendation. In addition, you can check with websites that list reviews of products and services in your area, although they usually require a subscription to view the search results.

You should keep in mind that there are mainly two types of bankruptcy. Chapter 7 wipes out most of your debt entirely while Chapter 13 requires you to pay back some of what you owe. Some lawyers deal with only Chapter 7 or Chapter 13; so consider the type you will file before you choose a bankruptcy attorney. After you have narrowed your list down to a handful of names, you can call each one of them to schedule a free consultation. At this consultation, you should ask a variety of questions to determine if the lawyer in question meets your requirements. You should also make sure you get along, and if not, move on to the next legal expert on your list until you find someone you feel comfortable with. In addition, since your lawyer will need to work closely with the trustees and judges in your area, you should try to find someone with at least ten years of experience.

Another factor in your decision to file involves the costs associated with this, which can vary depending on the size of the attorney's firm and whether you live in a major city. Although the court costs are set by the federal government and therefore are the same throughout the country, the fees of each bankruptcy attorney may vary. You can learn what the fees are at the initial meeting, though the firm's website might state what they are, too. Though you may be tempted to save money by hiring a bankruptcy attorney who advertises rates significantly lower than his competition, this can be a costly mistake if he is inexperienced or does not have a good reputation in the legal field.

As long as you look for a qualified legal professional using the above methods, you most likely will be happy with the choice you make. Then you can begin to plan the new debt-free life you have ahead of you.