Choosing Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

In this day and age, it’s not uncommon for people to find themselves facing a mountain of debt that they are unable to pay off. In cases such as these, individuals may decide to hire a chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney. These professionals are essential during the process, helping their clients to obtain the best possible terms. In this article, we will outline a few basic tips to help you find your man.

Step 1 – Begin the process by making a confident decision to file. Bankruptcy is a serious decision, and one which will affect your finances for years to come. Research the laws pertaining to this form of bankruptcy as much as possible. A quality lawyer can help to build on this process down the road.

Step 2 – Be sure you have obtained a firm grasp of your finances prior to making a decision. Before heading to court, all documents should be filled out and in hand. Be prepared. This will include any pay statements in addition to mortgage documents and anything else related to the finances of your estate. Doing the necessary legwork will only help the filling process move faster.

Step 3 – Get in contact with your local bar association. Bar associations are organizations that are in charge of making sure that attorneys are licensed to practice in your state. They will be able to provide you with a list of lawyers in your area who specialize in matters pertaining to the bankruptcy process. Ideally, attorneys should be licensed to practice in multiple states in cases where there are many states nearby.

Step 4 – Get online and check out reviews and forums to see what peoples experiences have been with particular lawyers. View websites and gain information regarding specialties, pricing, and other specifics.

Step 5 – Talk to friends and family to see whether they have any recommendations. This is a great way find quality lawyers or weed out those who may have performed poorly.

Step 6 – Call and schedule interviews. Contact potential candidates regarding your Chapter 7 case and set up meetings to discuss your options. Shoot for a lawyer who understands the process and is able to provide a list of satisfied references. Once you have a list, call them. In addition, you will want to find someone who has the ability to work with you first hand and will be able to represent your interests in a fair manner.

Step 7 – Make your decision. Try to base this decision on your gut feeling along with any note and information you may have written down. If no clear candidate exists, then it’s back to the drawing board. Filling is never an easy task, but if you must go through it, be sure to find someone you’re confident in placing your trust into.