Chapter 7 Attorney in Small Towns

In rural communities across the United States, there are a few unspoken rules that the residents live by. The one public school is the best and only school in town. There is no need for more than one doctor and a lawyer is a lawyer, no matter what the specialty.

For those of us that have to claim bankruptcy in a small town, this can seem like an unwelcome burden. Everything you read as you are setting yourself up for a bankruptcy declaration says to seek out an expert Chapter 7 attorney. While this is true-- you should seek out a specialist if you can—you may come out just fine with your local lawyer.

First of all, why should you seek out a bankruptcy lawyer if you have the opportunity? As with any profession, the lawyer specializing in bankruptcy law knows the ins and outs of your case before you even start to explain. They have studies bankruptcy cases and know what paperwork needs to be filed, what regulations need to be followed and what deadlines met.

A chapter 7 attorney can be your ally when it comes to representing your case and helping you get the outcomes you hope for. They can also explain to you what your next steps are after declaring and what you should expect in the months and years following a declaration.

Again, these specialized attorneys may not be available to you if you live in a small town, which means you have a couple of options. You can drive the extra miles to the nearest big town or city, hoping to get an appointment with a law firm there or you can trust that your local general practice lawyer can help.

If you choose to drive the hundred or so miles to the next town over or to the big city, you should expect to call well in advance to make an appointment. As you can imagine, bankruptcy lawyers are busy people and law firms specializing in these proceedings book appointments several weeks out.

Find a name or get a recommendation from a friend and call the city firm to get an appointment. Tell them it is merely for a consultation. This way you can assess the situation, see how much they are going to charge and see if it is worth your time driving back and forth.

Your other option is to stay local and talk to your local lawyer. They may not be a chapter 7 attorney, but they will be able to tell you whether they have the ability to help you in your case. If they can not, chances are they have a colleague that could give them advice or that they could send you too.

So, if you live in a small town and you see yourself needing a chapter 7 attorney, don’t despair. You have a couple of different options available to you.