Hiring The Right Bankruptcy Attorney

Although securing a bankruptcy attorney to assist with filing is essential, it is most important to hire the right bankruptcy attorney. There are multiple ways to find an attorney, from advertisements to recommendations. In general, it is wise to avoid attorneys who advertise on the radio or on television. Simply heading to the yellow pages is also not the best plan for individuals looking for a serious and experienced attorney. Instead, rely on referrals. Filers can consider recommendations from friends and family, but even better are referrals from other respected attorneys as well as the local and state bar associations. By choosing an attorney using these methods, a debtor can be assured that he or she will have access to legal specialists with the proper expertise to deftly handle the bankruptcy proceedings. Filers should meet with several different attorneys to evaluate their experience and services. Firstly, debtors should expect to receive a pre-filing questionnaire or some other form of relevant information about the bankruptcy process, including necessary documentation, prior to the interview. This offer of helpful information is a proven mark of a competent bankruptcy lawyer. Secondly, the filer should ask questions about the attorney’s experience during the meeting, such as how many bankruptcy cases he or she handles annually, what percentage of those have been successfully discharged, and what percentage of his or her potential Chapter 13 plans receive approval. Other important information to obtain is which bankruptcy associations the attorney belongs to, how often the attorney meets with clients, and how much of the work the attorney will handle personally.