How to hire the best bankruptcy attorney
Unfortunately, many people have many negative images when it comes to bankruptcy. People forget that the main purpose of bankruptcy is to give you protection from your creditors and offer you some relief or even remove all debt obligations. This is why you need Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law to protect the assets from your debtors and uncover a way to give you freedom from financial responsibilities.
So if you’re struggling to pay the debts, perhaps it’s time to consider bankruptcy. Remember that filing for bankruptcy can be overwhelming because you need excellent representation and the right advice. This article explains how to hire the best bankruptcy attorney.
How to prepare for bankruptcy
To get started, it’s important to research so that you can identify the attorneys who specialize in bankruptcy. Ideally, the bankruptcy attorney should be someone who can offer competent representation and stays up to date with the latest developments.
Once you find the potential bankruptcy lawyers, make sure that you find out if they are certified. Many areas provide specialist certifications for bankruptcy. With this certification, you can rest assured that the attorney has been practicing for several years. Even better, it can also mean that the lawyer spends most of their time handling bankruptcy cases, has passed examinations in that field, and is peer-reviewed.
You need these credentials to give you confidence that the bankruptcy attorney has the right knowledge and can know how to handle a case in case anything goes wrong. While many cases are straightforward, others can easily go wrong.
When you identify a couple of bankruptcy attorneys, it’s a good idea to research further by viewing their sites. They should have downloadable financial forms and a written educational background. You can fill out these financial forms to assist you to determine if you’re eligible for bankruptcy.
Then, you can begin to schedule some appointments. Many bankruptcy attorneys offer a free consultation, so it’s a good idea to see a few of them. This is not about price shopping, but to see how comfortable you are working with a specific attorney.
Before you decide to meet them, make sure that you complete the available forms on their site if they have them and take them with you. Also, you can write any questions you may have and take them with you as well.
Qualities to look for in the best bankruptcy attorney
Professionalism and personality matter, so like anyone, a bankruptcy attorney who seems good on paper cannot be great in person. Therefore, you must trust a lawyer who can work in your best interest. Here are some of the qualities to check in the best bankruptcy attorney:
They can discuss alternate solutions
When it comes to Chapter 7, keep in mind that an entire cancellation of eligible debts may not be the right solution or way to handle your financial problems. So an ethical personal bankruptcy lawyer will always give you other options.
For instance, if you have several assets and enough money, it makes sense just to pay your bills. In other cases, you may have to do nothing, especially if there is nothing the creditors can get from you after judgment. If most of your lenders are from credit card companies, a good attorney can even suggest having a debt management plan from a credit counselor.
It’s worth noting that Chapter 13 bankruptcy refers to a court-supervised arrangement, so your bankruptcy attorney can also suggest it. They can recommend it if you have adequate income that can support some liabilities and have a property that they can take in a lawsuit or a Chapter 7.
As you can see, you need to understand all the available options and then choose the right one. In this way, you can make an informed decision when filing for bankruptcy.
They show a passion for their work
There is no point in hiring an indifferent bankruptcy attorney because they cannot have put your best interests at heart. Therefore, look for an attorney who exudes genuine passion for the process and occupation. You can even find out their interest in specializing in bankruptcy law. Remember to listen carefully to their responses because you can encounter some attorneys who find their work rewarding and fascinating.
This about this, some bankruptcy attorneys believe that by helping people leave their debts behind, they can sometimes become great members of society again. Others think that by helping people, they can change lives. Even better, there are quite a few areas where an attorney can do so much for you in a short period.
They can hear and understand your problems
For many people, declaring bankruptcy can be an overwhelming experience. Because there are always emotions involved, it’s a good idea to hire a bankruptcy attorney who doesn’t only have the right credentials but also shows a desire to know your specific issues and goals. Simply put, your attorney should show empathy and a desire to take some time to ask key questions, though they can sometimes be difficult questions.
The bottom line is you should always hire an attorney who wants to understand what caused your financial problems. This is a person who can handle your biggest problems as they have a better understanding of what’s going on.
Above all, not all bankruptcy attorneys have great courtside manners. Therefore, when you meet a potential lawyer, you must make sure that you are comfortable with the person and also ensure that they address all your concerns.
If you feel like they are taking you just like a number rather than a person, look for another attorney from your list. You can always move to the next attorney until you get the right person who treats you with some respect.
When you find a bankruptcy attorney who has the right combination of character, cost, and experience, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re set. You can then decide to file for bankruptcy with the assurance that you have an attorney you can trust.
