How to Choose the Best Bankruptcy Lawyer – Things to Look For

So you’ve fallen on some hard times and find yourself in a financial hole that keeps on sinking, what are you to do?  It’s time to pull the chute and call for help. You’ve spent months or maybe years digging and digging, but nothing has worked.  You’ve thrown every available penny at your mounting debt, to no avail. You’ve pulled extra shifts at work just to pay off compounding interest, or maybe you spent 6 months working seven days a week and only paid off just one of your four outstanding debts.  You’ve been diligent using Equifax online help, but now you need extra artillery in this battle to win your life and financial freedom back.  Then it’s time to bring in the big guns to assist you with a soft landing.

However, before you call a lawyer there are some extremely important points you need to take into consideration.  

1. The first thing you need to do is make sure any lawyer you contact about filing Bankruptcy is a specialist.  Make certain that their main focus is helping people when they file Bankruptcy.  You don’t want someone who doesn’t have an airtight grasp of all the current bankruptcy laws and how they should be dealt with in your situation.
2. After you’ve found a lawyer who specializes in bankruptcy it’s time for you to check on them.  Call your local bar association and confirm the lawyer or firms’ validity.  Though it’s a simple process and won’t take much time or effort on your part,  it’s very important.
3. Double check that your lawyer is up to speed with any changes in the bankruptcy code for 2018.  If you’ve done your diligence with selecting the right lawyer who is a trusted Bankruptcy expert then this shouldn’t be a problem, however, when dealing with such a major action like filing for Bankruptcy everything should be double and triple checked.
4. With the help of your lawyer, you need to decide whether it’s better for you to file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  This will differ on a case by case basis and it is definitely a discussion you should have with your lawyer, even if the choice seems obvious.  There may be something you’re not aware of that makes one better than the other for your specific situation.
5. The last thing you’ll want to check off the list before you chose a lawyer to help you file bankruptcy is to figure out how comfortable you are with them.  Do you feel at ease when you call the lawyer’s office? Do you feel rushed or not? Does he or she take the time to communicate with you until all your needs or questions are answered?  If you can check off all of these boxes then you’ve found the right fit and perfect lawyer for your needs.

Remember bankruptcy is a life-changing step you are taking, so don’t settle for anything less than the best.