How to Choose a Bankruptcy Lawyer

Life isn't always easy - especially when you're wallowing in debt with no sign of relief in sight. Sometimes the only way out is to file for bankruptcy and to embrace the fresh start it offers. More than a million Americans file for bankruptcy annually, with that number doubling in 2005 ahead of the changes in the bankruptcy law in mid-October.

Those changes have made the process of filing for bankruptcy more complicated. To help you successfully maneuver through the process, you may want to consider hiring a bankruptcy attorney.

Finding a good bankruptcy attorney is essential to ensuring the bankruptcy process go as smoothly as possible for you. One of the best ways to find a good bankruptcy attorney is by asking your friends, relatives or any professional organizations you may belong to for a referral. This is certainly one of the best ways to find a good attorney, bankruptcy or otherwise.

Of course, not everyone wants to share the fact that they're considering filing for bankruptcy, so don't worry if you're one of those people. You have plenty of other options for finding the right bankruptcy attorney such as using an online service like the Free Case Review service offered through the LawFirms.com network.

You might want to start your search by calling your local chapter of the American Bar Association; you can find more information on their website at www.abanet.org. You'll be able to obtain a list of local bankruptcy attorneys, although you won't be given a recommendation of whom to choose. Of course, you can always turn to your handy yellow pages to find a plethora of attorneys.

Regardless of where you ultimately look for a lawyer, you'll want to take certain things into consideration when determining which lawyer is right for you and your needs.

Free consultation - if an attorney refuses to consult with you without charging a fee, keep looking. Since so many lawyers offer free consultations and finances are tight (or you wouldn't be claiming bankruptcy anyway) you may want to limit your search to attorneys who offer a free consultation. Another option is to consult a bankruptcy lawyer online. This is a quick way to contact an attorney from home or your office.

Experience counts - it's important to find an attorney who specializes or has vast experience in bankruptcy law. You want an attorney who understands the bankruptcy laws (new and old) and the rules locally and federally and who has experience with the bankruptcy trustees and judges. You will likely want someone with a strong reputation and track record to represent you.

Affordable fees - attorneys are expensive, and bankruptcy lawyers are no exception. The new bankruptcy law enacted in October 2005 has made the process even more work for bankruptcy attorneys - which translates into more time and higher fees. Therefore, you'll want to find a lawyer who has reasonable fees and is willing to offer you a payment plan (that you can feasibly meet).

Comfort matters - if after your first free consultation or discussion you don't feel comfortable with the attorney, follow your instincts and keep looking. You don't want to hire someone with whom you don't feel comfortable. Remember, you are placing your financial life in the hands of the lawyer you choose to hire. You will likely want a lawyer who will answer your questions and not someone who is rushing you out the door. Keep in mind that the more you know about the whole bankruptcy process, the less stressful it will be for you.

Size of firm - some experts suggest choosing an attorney who works for a larger law firm, citing that lawyers who work for a small firm may not have the time to talk with you when you urgently need them. However, others suggest that lawyers from small firms will give you more "personal" care. The choice is yours - the bottom line is you need a lawyer who you feel will represent you best, regardless of their firm size.

If you're considering filing for bankruptcy, you might want to start looking for an attorney now. That way, when the time comes - whether it's two days, two weeks or two months from now - you'll be able to move forward swiftly and without worrying who's going to represent you.


Related Articles:

+   Information about court appointed bankruptcy trustees
+   What you should know before deciding on do it yourself bankruptcy
+   A listing of bankruptcy courts in the United States
+   What you need to know about chapter 13 bankruptcy filings