What have you got to lose if you choose not to hire a bankruptcy lawyer?
You're broke anyways, right? Without legal representation, you may
actually make the situation much worse.
If your life is in chaos from debt, creditor harassment, and dwindling
funds, you might find yourself one of several million Americans who have
to call on the aid of a bankruptcy lawyer this year. If you look at any
newspaper, in 2010 alone it is estimated that the number of people
filing has increased by anywhere from 10% to 15%. Debt is becoming
increasingly unmanageable, especially as jobs are cut, gas prices rise,
government aid decreases, and taxes increase. And while you may think
that everything will turn around in just a couple of years, rather than
waiting for something that might not happen, it is best to start
reorganizing your finances and budget now before your debt increases.
Many people dislike even the idea of talking with a bankruptcy lawyer
because they feel shame, a sense of failure, or that they can't afford
more expenses on top of their mounting fiscal crisis. While it can be an
emotionally stressful period of time, filing and discharging debts can
also be extremely liberating and provide some much needed relief,
especially if you are having difficulty managing everyday expenses. As
soon as you start the process, your bankruptcy lawyer will ensure any
harassment via phone calls or mail ceases and will protect as many of
your personal assets as possible. You can stop worrying about your car
getting repossessed or your house getting foreclosed on, and just that
eliminated stress alone can help you see the situation more clearly.
Some people avoid filing for several months or even years because they
think they can't afford a bankruptcy lawyer and are too overwhelmed to
go through the process on their own (and risk rejection of their
application, which can be time consuming and costly). There are plenty
of ways to find an affordable lawyer; however, you need to be willing to
put in a bit of effort. Give yourself some time to make calls and
gather a list of referrals. Many people are simply afraid to ask for
lower or adjusted prices, but if you are hiring a bankruptcy lawyer,
most will understand your situation and work with you if they can. Your
state likely has a legal organization that can help match you with a
legal professional in your price range. There are also
government-assisted programs that can provide you with free or heavily
discounted legal and financial advisors to further assess your
situation.
The Internet can be one of the most valuable tools you can use when
searching for a good attorney. While you can also ask your friends for
personal referrals, the subject is often too sensitive to approach and
some might not appreciate your probing into their affairs or opening old
wounds. Type in what you're looking for in a search engine and check
message boards and legal forums as well. While not always 100% reliable,
a few personal reviews or recommendations can help you narrow down your
list of attorneys to interview. You can also get some free legal
information on many of their websites.
