Finding and hiring a bankruptcy lawyer might be easy.
But it might take a little more than that if you want to get the right person to handle your bankruptcy case.
Read this article to help you decide which bankruptcy lawyer will be best suited to help you move your case forward and finally get you out of debt.
Finding a Bankruptcy Lawyer
1. Experience | Has the bankruptcy lawyer handled cases similar to yours?
It is assumed that a bankruptcy lawyer would know about local laws, bankruptcy trustees, court rules, procedures in your area, federal bankruptcy laws, and recent code changes.
But aside from his bankruptcy laws expertise, he should know how to handle your case best.
Check the track record of the bankruptcy lawyer. Know if he has handled and won similar cases.
Here’s a list of bankruptcy lawyers by state.
2. Expertise | Does the bankruptcy lawyer give sound advice?
No two cases will be identical. Each bankruptcy case varies per person.
A good bankruptcy lawyer will take the time to look at your case and its full history so that he can guide you through the entire process and handle your case accordingly.
He should be able to give you alternative options regarding your case.
A lawyer should always act in his client’s best interests.
A good bankruptcy lawyer should always give you sound advice on how to handle your current situation and how you move forward.
3. Service | Does the bankruptcy lawyer have many cases to attend to?
Like any other legal proceeding, bankruptcy will also require you to submit necessary documents, communicate with your creditors, and other people relevant to your case.
Your lawyer will help you do these things and should update you with any progress.
Most bankruptcy cases take approximately 3-4 months to complete.
However, if it is a more complex case, it can extend beyond that.
A good bankruptcy lawyer must be able to follow through with your case and consistently represent you at all your bankruptcy hearings regardless of how lengthy they become.
Passion and dedication to your case are essential and key for him stay through processes and proceedings that handling your case entails.
A bankruptcy case is a tedious process, so you need to consider a bankruptcy lawyer who has a reasonable number of current cases on his plate and who can make himself available when it is required of him.
4. Professionalism | Is the bankruptcy lawyer punctual?
This may sound cliché, but it is true.
Professionalism is a big factor in considering a lawyer.
A good bankruptcy lawyer must always conduct himself with utmost professionalism and ethics.
Filing for bankruptcy means submitting documents and paperwork.
A professional will always accomplish this punctually as failure to submit these on time may cause unfavorable consequences, delays, and worst, dismissal of a case.
If you feel like you’ll never be able to get out of debt, bankruptcy may be right for you. Talk to a bankruptcy lawyer about your options.
— MK Bankruptcy (@mcbreen_kopko) June 10, 2017
Here’s more about the bankruptcy law and what the available resources are for individuals with low-income from Call4JusticeMN:
Finding a bankruptcy lawyer may be tough, but with the help of one, filing bankruptcy will definitely be easier than doing it on your own.
While hiring a lawyer may sound expensive, there are free legal services offered by the American Bar for those who cannot afford one.
For the meantime, here are 5 effective tips on how to get out of debt.
Learn how to save money while in debt here. Are there any other qualities you think a bankruptcy lawyer should have? Let us know in the comments below!
