Making the decision to declare bankruptcy is difficult at best. Its impact on your life is far-reaching and follows you for years. Choosing the right bankruptcy attorney can be intimidating, but it is one of the most important steps of the process. A good attorney will help reduce your stress in this process by explaining the different types of bankruptcy and helping you organize the necessary documentation required by the court. So how do you go about choosing a bankruptcy attorney? Here are a few pointers to help you get started.
Ask for referrals. Chances are, if you ask around, you will find someone in your circle who has had some type of bankruptcy dealings. Be it a friend or family member, a recommendation from someone you trust will help you narrow your search faster. Knowing whom they liked to work with – or whom to avoid – will help you on your search for the attorney who is right for you.
Choose an attorney who specializes in bankruptcy. Most attorneys who specialize in bankruptcy have a better understanding and more experience in this area of the law than attorneys who have another specialty or who work in multiple fields. When looking through an attorney’s website, you can usually learn how long he or she has been practicing law generally and working in bankruptcy specifically. You will see whether the attorney works on their own or is part of a larger firm.
Do not choose an attorney based on the lowest price. Attorney’s that compete based on the lowest price are generally new to bankruptcy and lack the experience necessary to properly represent you, or they may have experience but due to their low price are unable to dedicate the time necessary to assure a positive result for you. A bankruptcy is not like buying a car. It is not a matter of negotiating the best price and then making the purchase. With a bankruptcy the results do vary based on who you hire.
Meet with the attorney in person. Before you commit to hiring a particular attorney, be sure to meet with him or her in person. This is a stressful process, and it’s important to work with someone you feel you can trust. You will be spending a lot of time with this person in the coming weeks and months, so it’s important to feel comfortable around them.
Be sure to ask about caseload, so you know what to expect in terms of a timeline and individual attention. Ask whom you will be working with most of the time. Some attorneys handle all of the work themselves, while others have you work with a paralegal up until the meeting of creditors. Knowing what to expect before you hire an attorney is crucial. If you find that you just aren’t comfortable with an attorney, then you haven’t found the right one for you.
Select an attorney who is a member of the NACBA. The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys is the leading organization of bankruptcy attorneys who represent individual debtors. Its policy goals are to preserve bankruptcy rights for consumers. NACBA provides educational opportunities to its members, helping them to stay on top of the latest changes in the law. The organization helps attorneys practice more effectively and efficiently.
Choosing a bankruptcy attorney who is a member of NACBA means you are working with an attorney who is committed to providing his or her clients with the best and most up-to-date advice and representation for bankruptcy.