how can i find a good bankruptcy lawyer

by Jenifer Marquardt 7 min read

To find a local bankruptcy attorney, seek personal referrals from friends or family or your own attorney. You can also find bankruptcy attorneys through the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Track your debt the easy way Sign up with NerdWallet to see your debt breakdown and upcoming payments all in one place.

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How does someone get the best bankruptcy attorney?

Dec 14, 2016 · What Should You Ask a Bankruptcy Lawyer? Begin by establishing whether the lawyer thinks you’re a qualified candidate for bankruptcy, and if so, which variety,... Find out how many bankruptcies they’ve done, and what types? How large is the lawyer’s practice, or affiliate firm? Single-proprietor and ...

How to find the best bankruptcy attorney for your case?

Nov 25, 2020 · If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, getting a referral from someone you trust may be a good way to find an attorney to represent you. Your friends and acquaintances may know more about your specific situation and needs, and could even have firsthand experience to draw on. But not everyone has this option.

How do I find an affordable bankruptcy attorney?

5.0 (1) Specialized debt and cash flow problems resolution and/or bankruptcy services for small business owners and consumers. One on one service and analysi... Read More. s direct with your attorney to resolve or adjust debt to avoid bankruptcy when possible. Admitted to the Bar throughout Florida and the U.S. Supreme Court.

How do I choose a bankruptcy attorney?

Don’t procrastinate. The idea of finding a bankruptcy legal professional has all the allure of having teeth pulled. But don’t let this prevent you from beginning your investigation for a good attorney once you know you’re going to need one. Waiting before last moment won’t provide a good attorney plenty of time to adequately ready your ...

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What is bankruptcy lawyer?

Bankruptcy lawyers specialize in bankruptcy cases. When seeking legal representation in bankruptcy, you'll want to look for an experienced bankruptcy lawyer, not a general practitioner. Not only does bankruptcy require understanding how many principles interrelate, making a mistake can be costly. Most lawyers won't accept a bankruptcy matter ...

Do law schools offer free legal advice?

Many law schools sponsor legal clinics and provide free legal advice to consumers. Some legal clinics have the same income requirements as Legal Aid; others offer free services to low- and moderate-income people.

What to do when filing for bankruptcy?

Provide advice about the best time to file bankruptcy, so you don’t end up in a worse financial situation than before you filed. Offer guidance on assets. When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, certain assets are exempt from the proceedings, which means you get to keep them.

Why do you need a bankruptcy lawyer?

Benefits of working with a bankruptcy lawyer. If you’re struggling financially, bankruptcy may seem like the most direct way to solve the problem. A good bankruptcy lawyer can help determine if another option would actually be better for your situation.

What is the bankruptcy process?

The bankruptcy process involves disclosing a lot of personal financial information, and you’ll want to make sure you’re working with someone you feel comfortable with. That may mean you need to speak with a few candidates before you find the one who’s right for you. In this article, we’ll explore how to find and vet people for the job.

What happens when you file Chapter 7?

When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, certain assets are exempt from the proceedings, which means you get to keep them. Your lawyer should understand which exemptions you qualify for and help you not lose assets unnecessarily. Help complete paperwork that’s required to file your bankruptcy petition.

Do bankruptcy lawyers offer free consultations?

Many bankruptcy attorneys offer free consultations, so it makes sense to use that opportunity to find a lawyer you’re comfortable with. When you take those meetings, it’s important to be prepared. Here’s a list of some of the questions you may want to ask to help evaluate an attorney.

Why is it important to have a lawyer?

Because there’s so much at stake, it’s essential that your lawyer works with you from the beginning and knows the ins and outs of your financial situation. If you won’t be meeting with your attorney until the meeting of creditors, you may want to find someone else to work with.

What is the NACBA?

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys: The NACBA is a professional trade association for bankruptcy attorneys who represent individuals. You can search the organization’s member directory to find an attorney near you.

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Bankruptcy Lawyers Can Help You

If you're experiencing severe financial difficulties, bankruptcy can provide a path to debt relief and help you get a fresh start.

Types of Bankruptcy

A bankruptcy attorney can help you determine if the process is right for you or if other debt relief options are better suited to your needs.

Why File For Bankruptcy?

People wind up filing for bankruptcy for many reasons, often involving outside forces or unforeseen expenses: Medical debt and unexpected health care costs can quickly spiral out of control, credit card debt can accrue due to business expenses or needing to use a credit card during periods of unemployment and low cash flow, investments in the stock market, real estate or other financial vehicles might suffer due to a financial crisis, or a supply chain shutdown can cause debt to cascade in times of pandemic (such as the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak) or due to oil price fluctuations.

How much does a bankruptcy attorney charge?

There is no “right” amount a bankruptcy attorney should charge, although generally a Chapter 13 filing will cost more than a Chapter 7. Fees vary from case to case and from one state to another. You can expect to pay between $500 and $3,500 for a Chapter 7 and between $1,500 and $6,000 for a Chapter 13, LaBert says.

Does bankruptcy make sense?

Bankruptcy may make sense if you are unable to repay debts as you cover obligations such as retirement, food and shelter. Free Credit Score. by NerdWallet. A better score can help unlock the things you want — like a great travel credit card, better interest rates, lower insurance premiums and more.

Go By Referrals

One of the simplest ways you can find the names of some good lawyers is to ask some of your acquaintances and friends who have been through bankruptcy legal proceedings. Their personal testimonials regarding the way their case was handled by a lawyer, can help you in choosing one.

Check Out Local Bar Association For References

Another way of finding out good bankruptcy lawyers is to inquire with the local bar association for recommendations. You can get pointers regarding some of the best bankruptcy lawyers there.

Consult With Your Own Attorney

Your own regular attorney can be consulted to find lawyers specializing in bankruptcy law. He or she can tap his own network of contacts to find a good lawyer who can do the job efficiently.

Inquire With Law Firms

Meet up with some of the best law firms in your area and interview lawyers who may take up your case. Go for law firms which specialize in bankruptcy cases.

Search on the American Board of Certification Website

Another way of finding good bankruptcy lawyers is visiting the American Board of Certification website for names of bankruptcy lawyers that work locally. Just enter your zip code and the kind of bankruptcy lawyer you are looking for to get a list of names.

How much does a bankruptcy attorney cost?

Many filers have a difficult time affording the fees charged by bankruptcy attorneys. Even an affordable bankruptcy attorney can cost between $1,200 to $2,500, depending on the specific situation of the case.

Can you stop paying debts in bankruptcy?

You can also stop paying your unsecured debts that will be discharged in a bankruptcy case and use that money to pay an affordable bankruptcy attorney. However, your creditors could file a debt collection action to seek a judgment and wage garnishment.

What is a NACBA?

NACBA is a national organization for consumer bankruptcy lawyers handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for individual filers and small businesses.

Can late payments affect credit score?

In addition, additional late payments will lower your credit score even further. It's typically possible to find a bankruptcy attorney who agrees to accept payments while agreeing to handle creditor calls and provide you with legal advice as needed while you pay the attorney fees.

How long does it take to get discharged from Chapter 7?

In a typical no-asset Chapter 7 case, you can complete the bankruptcy case and receive your bankruptcy discharge within four to six months after filing your Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition.

Who is Jonathan Petts?

Jonathan Petts has over 10 years of experience in bankruptcy and is co-founder and Board Chair of Upsolve. Attorney Petts has an LLM in Bankruptcy from St. John's University, clerked for two federal bankruptcy judges, and worked at two top New York City law firms specializing in... read more about Attorney Jonathan Petts

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