Most people have no idea what goes on behind the scenes when hiring a bankruptcy lawyer. The reality is, it isn’t all that difficult to find one. When a law firm is looking for an attorney, they will ask plenty of questions. These questions are important, as you’ll learn when you read this article.
You’ll want to ask the Bankruptcy Lawyer about his or her law school training. Having a high-ranking degree from an elite law school demonstrates a certain type of ability and experience that could get you the job. The law school where an attorney gets his or her education is also a sign of prestige, and it’s almost always a good indicator of the attorney’s ability to handle a big case like yours.
Next, ask about the bar association’s certification. Bar associations certification requires that the attorney has passed the bar exam. Not every attorney has passed all of the bar exams. Therefore, not every lawyer who works in a bankruptcy case has passed the bar association’s exam. The bar associations do keep records of all attorneys who have passed all of their required exams. You can visit their website to determine if your potential attorney has passed all of the bar exams.
The next thing you’ll want to know is whether the bankruptcy lawyer has had any experience with filing for bankruptcy. Filing a case is quite different than filling out a lawsuit loan application. You’ll need an attorney who understands the filing process and can help you complete the necessary paperwork. The filing process is straightforward, and any experienced bankruptcy lawyer can walk you through it quickly and easily.
Many legal aid societies offer free financial consultation to people who are considering filing for bankruptcy. Most chapters operate in much the same way. All chapters require that the bankruptcy lawyer you are working with has filed cases in the past few years, and most allow you to file bankruptcy on their own after meeting with the attorney. Chapter 7 cases are the only ones that require an attorney to file the petition on your behalf.
If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy based upon a chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, then you will want to ensure that the lawyer that you are working with has filed a similar petition in the past. This will help you evaluate whether or not the lawyer’s ability to handle this type of case is the same as his or her ability to handle other types. Many of the states that allow debtors to file bankruptcy without representation have specific bar associations that monitor these lawyers’ actions. This is why you will want to check with your state bar association’s office to determine if the attorney you are considering has ever filed a bankruptcy proceeding in that particular state.
Some attorneys work solely out of a small firm or out of their home. Others are office-based and serve thousands of clients a year. Either way, these lawyers are extremely busy and will need to be extremely thorough when preparing your case. Your bankruptcy lawyer must be thorough in his or her research and examination of your financial situation.
The last thing that a good chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer will do for you is to present your case to creditors in the best light possible. Although it may be to your advantage to allow the debts to settle on their own, you may end up losing the property if the credit counseling process is not completed satisfactorily. Your chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer will be the one who represents you in negotiations, and he or she will also be responsible for providing the reports that creditors are required to provide on an ongoing basis.