when lawyer does not do your bankruptcy case do u get ur money back

by Elfrieda Davis PhD 8 min read

In the event that an attorney took no action on a case, it is fair to assume you should be able to rightfully request a refund of money paid for their services. If the attorney was paid and no paperwork was completed or prepared for the bankruptcy case, the petitioner (who never actually became a petitioner) is entitled to a refund.

You should get a refund if you paid your attorney an upfront fee for the service of preparing your file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy (or as an advance against hours worked) and the attorney didn't perform that service or put in any time on your file.Mar 18, 2021

Full Answer

What should I do if my bankruptcy attorney doesn’t get back to me?

If you can't pay your monthly Chapter 13 payment and the court dismisses your case, the lawyer won't receive full payment. You can learn about calculating a Chapter 13 plan payment here . Because of the risk involved, many lawyers will want the same amount they would receive for a Chapter 7 case before filing and will let you pay the remaining amount—probably another …

Do I have to pay off my attorney before filing bankruptcy?

After filing for bankruptcy, all debtors must attend a mandatory hearing called the 341 meeting of creditors. But, depending on your case, you (or your attorney) might need to go to additional hearings. Some common types of hearings you can expect your attorney to represent you at: Chapter 13 confirmation hearings.

What happens if my attorney doesn’t show up at my bankruptcy hearing?

Jan 18, 2017 · In the event that an attorney took no action on a case, it is fair to assume you should be able to rightfully request a refund of money paid for their services. If the attorney was paid and no paperwork was completed or prepared for the bankruptcy case, the petitioner (who never actually became a petitioner) is entitled to a refund.

What can I expect from a bankruptcy attorney?

Aug 05, 2013 · 4 attorney answers. Read your retainer agreement. Most bankruptcy retainers will be on a "flat fee," meaning that you are not paying the attorney's hourly rate, but a pre-agreed upon fee for all of the services in the retainer agreement. Some attorney's will put a "no refund" provision in the agreement.

How do you know if bankruptcy has been discharged?

The bankruptcy is reported in the public records section of your credit report. Both the bankruptcy and the accounts included in the bankruptcy should indicate they are discharged once the bankruptcy has been completed. To verify this, the first step is to get a copy of your personal credit report.Aug 6, 2018

Can bankruptcy trustee take assets after discharge?

If the trustee finds hidden assets, the trustee can ask the court to revoke or take back your discharge. The trustee can do this at any time before the case closes or, even after, up to one year after the discharge date.

How long after a bankruptcy discharge is the case closed?

about four to six monthsFor most filers, a Chapter 7 case will end when you receive your discharge—the order that forgives qualified debt—about four to six months after filing the bankruptcy paperwork. Although most cases close after that, your case might remain open longer if you have property that you can't protect (nonexempt assets).

Can you hide money from bankruptcy?

Hiding assets is considered perjury. When filing bankruptcy every debtor must swear the information provided is true and accurate. Penalties for concealing property is five years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both.Jun 19, 2018

Does the trustee monitor your bank account?

Your Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee will likely check your bank accounts at least once during the process of overseeing your filing. They have a right to perform a full audit of your accounts or check them any time it is necessary.

What happens after your bankruptcy is discharged?

Following a bankruptcy discharge, debt collectors and lenders can no longer attempt to collect the discharged debts. That means no more calls from collectors and no more letters in the mail, as you are no longer personally liable for the debt. A bankruptcy discharge doesn't necessarily apply to all of the debt you owe.Oct 24, 2021

What does bankruptcy discharged mean on a credit report?

A bankruptcy discharge releases the debtor from personal liability for certain specified types of debts. In other words, the debtor is no longer legally required to pay any debts that are discharged.

How do you come back from bankruptcy?

Here are some of the ways to do that.Save all paperwork from your bankruptcy case. ... Start saving money and build a budget. ... Reestablish good credit. ... Regularly monitor your credit reports. ... Maintain your job and home. ... Make an emergency fund. ... Think of your financial future.Sep 22, 2021

What do bankruptcy attorneys do?

Almost all bankruptcy attorneys have specialized software that prepares and files your required bankruptcy paperwork with the court. You'll provide your attorney with all of your financial information, such as income, expense, asset, and debt information.

How to file for bankruptcy?

First, you can expect your attorney to tell you whether filing for bankruptcy would be in your best interest. If it is, you should also learn: 1 whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or another type will help you achieve your financial goals 2 what you can expect during the bankruptcy process, and 3 whether your case involves any particular difficulties or risks.

What to expect during bankruptcy?

Most importantly, if you have any questions, you can expect your attorney to respond to your calls or emails promptly.

What is the mandatory hearing for bankruptcy?

After filing for bankruptcy, all debtors must attend a mandatory hearing called the 341 meeting of creditors. But, depending on your case, you (or your attorney) might need to go to additional hearings. Some common types of hearings you can expect your attorney to represent you at: Chapter 13 confirmation hearings.

What is a retainer agreement?

In general, your retainer agreement (the contract you and your attorney sign) will outline the services your bankruptcy attorney will provide . Your attorney's job is also to provide you with competent advice throughout the bankruptcy process.

Can an attorney text you?

Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Is filing for bankruptcy a good idea?

Filing for bankruptcy is a great way to get out from under burdensome debt, and most people feel a tremendous sense of relief when their bankruptcy case is over. But understanding the process and filling out the bankruptcy forms can be daunting. That's where a bankruptcy lawyer comes in. Not only will you receive legal advice, ...

What is an attorney hired for?

Attorneys are hired to perform a service. They charge a specified fee for their services. Providing the services takes time. If the attorney you hired took time to work on your bankruptcy case, something was done. Services were provided.

What is Justin's goal?

Justin has a singular goal: to get people out of financial distress and move them to financial stability and prosperity. He does this by combining 15 years of in-depth experience in bankruptcy, credit management, debt negotiation and student loan modifications, and he does it with both English and Spanish-speaking clients.

Dheeraj Kumar Singhal

Read your retainer agreement. Most bankruptcy retainers will be on a "flat fee," meaning that you are not paying the attorney's hourly rate, but a pre-agreed upon fee for all of the services in the retainer agreement. Some attorney's will put a "no refund" provision in the agreement.

Jacques H. Geisenberger Jr

I do not normally answer questions concerning the conduct of fellow attorneys or "fee disputes". If you are dissatisfied with the actions of your attorney you are certainly free to contact the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Conduct Board at www.padboard.org to raise the issues in your question...

Steven Anderson Leahy

Remember, you hired this attorney to represent you. If he is not representing you properly, you are entitled to a refund. First, I would put my disappointment in writing and formally ask for a refund. If you do not receive a prompt answer, contact the attorney disciplinary board in your state.

Dorothy G Bunce

What does your retainer agreement provide? You should ask for an accounting of your retainer (in writing) and if you don't receive an accounting, contact the organization that represents attorneys in your state as well as the office of the US Trustee, which regulates the conduct of bankruptcy attorneys.

Sandra A Kuhn Esq

You should look at your fee agreement. What does it say if you do not cooperate? I doubt it says that that means that the attorney works for free and gives you all of your money back. Take a close look at it and go from there.

Jonathan Lindley Howell

You paid the attorney a one-time, up front, flat fee to file your bankruptcy case. Nothing in your question indicates he or she was, or is, unwilling to perform those services; just the opposite, you failed to fulfill your responsibilities of taking the course and filling out the necessary paperwork.

Richard Glenn Elie

Bankruptcy's another animal entirely.#N#You took up a lawyer's time and asked questions and agreed to pay the lawyer to do a flat-fee bankruptcy...

Dorothy G Bunce

You can begin by asking for an accounting of how you fee was earned by the attorney and ask for a refund, preferably in writing.

What is Chapter 52 of the Placement Strategy Handbook?

Chapter 52 in The Placement Strategy Handbook is entitled “How to Select an Attorney.” Still, we receive many calls from placers ranging from inquiries to insurrection about the way an attorney is handling a case. This doesn’t mean the clients are right. But it does mean the attorney-client relationship has been damaged.

What is hourly hiring?

Hourly is a mobile-first recruiting platform, designed to help organizations engage and hire hourly workers faster. We've streamlined the entire hiring process into a single conversation on a mobile device - hourly job seekers can explore, apply, qualify and self-schedule an interview in just minutes - and then prepare for their interview and accept an offer all in the same experience.

Do lawyers have egos?

So even though it’s a killer, it’s a sure-fire attention-getter. In fact, it’s so reliable that if the attorney doesn’t respond, you’re probably better off with another.

Is litigation a complicated process?

Litigation is a slow, complicated, unpredictable, expensive process. To the extent your lawyer can expedite, simplify, win, and reduce the fees, he’s the one for you . I hope you don’ t need to get the attention of your attorney. But if you do, this should help. Good luck!

Do you have to write a Gettysburg address?

You don’t have to write the Gettysburg Address. Just confirm the status of the case, fee or whatever else was discussed. State the next step that must be done, who is going to do it, and when it will be completed.