"how to" find a good bankruptcy lawyer in your area

by Mr. Arturo Kutch Jr. 8 min read

Avvo (avvo.com) and Martindale-Hubbell (martindale.com) are reliable ratings services for finding affordable bankruptcy attorneys. The state and local bar associations are also good resources; simply enter your state or city and the terms, “bar association” and “bankruptcy attorney” into your favorite search engine.

How does someone get the best bankruptcy attorney?

Nov 25, 2020 · National Association of Consumer Advocates: The NACA is an organization that advocates for consumers on a range of issues, including bankruptcy. Online directories: A variety of online resources list lawyers and law firms by location and by specialty. Examples include NOLO, lawyers.com, Avvo and LegalZoom.

How to find the best bankruptcy attorney for your case?

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How do I find an affordable bankruptcy attorney?

Jun 17, 2016 · To find a local bankruptcy attorney, seek personal referrals from friends or family or your own attorney. You can also find bankruptcy attorneys …

How do I choose a bankruptcy attorney?

Finding a Low Income Bankruptcy Lawyer in Your Area. Here’s an excellent place to start: The American Bankruptcy Institute has a page that lists and links bankruptcy attorneys in your state and area. Clicking, for example, on “Ohio” leads to a list of 22 cities with references to ABI member attorneys in those cities.

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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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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.

What can a bankruptcy attorney do?

A bankruptcy attorney can help you manage personal or business debts you are unable to pay. Bankruptcy laws allow people and businesses to (1) get a “fresh start” by relieving most debts; and (2) repay the money owed to all creditors as fairly as possible.

Why do you need a bankruptcy lawyer?

Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer can help you keep valuable property, work with your creditors, and stop debtors from harassing you. Even if you think you cannot afford a bankruptcy lawyer, the value can outweigh the cost, especially if having an attorney keeps your case from being dismissed by the courts.

What happens when you file for bankruptcy?

When you file for bankruptcy protection, all other legal actions against you are put on hold.

Can creditors sue you for bankruptcy?

When you file for bankruptcy protection, all other legal actions against you are put on hold. Creditors cannot sue you, garnish your wages, repossess your car or home entertainment system, or start or continue with a foreclosure action against your home.

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.

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What is a good lawyer?

A good lawyer will be able to estimate court costs in a given situation, and whether or not you will be able to obtain court costs from an opposing party in a favorable settlement or judgment. Filing Fees: Courts charge money for people to be able to file lawsuits and other court actions, like divorce and bankruptcy.

Why are lawyers important?

Lawyers are also important partners in situations that don’t involve the courtroom, advising clients about their legal rights and obligations for personal or business issues. They are trained to interpret complicated systems of laws and navigate the court system.

What happens if you go to court?

If your issue involves going to court, your lawyer will accompany you, and can speak for you. If your legal matter involves mediation or arbitration, your lawyer will negotiate with the opposing party on your behalf. Let's find your lawyer.

What is contingency fee?

Contingency Fees: A contingency fee means that your lawyer only gets paid this fee if there is a favorable result in your case—a court win or a settlement in your favor. Typically, but not always, these fees consist of around 1/3 of the total settlement or judgment.

What is flat fee in law?

Flat Fees: A flat fee means that the lawyer charges one price for each consultation, or for an entire case, no matter how much time or work it takes. Be sure to ask other lawyers for comparable rates if offered a flat fee.

What is retainer fee?

Retainer Fee: A retainer fee is an advance payment to an attorney towards the hourly rate in a specific case. Your attorney will place the retainer fee into an account, and deduct money as work on your case progresses. These are usually non-refundable if you choose to terminate the case early.

What is fee agreement?

A fee agreement, or representation agreement, is a payment agreement between a lawyer and a client. It can consist of several pages, or simply one page outlining the agreement.

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