Is Bankruptcy Right In Which You? Read This Advice!
A good bankruptcy lawyer knows how the court system works. An experienced bankruptcy attorney knows everything about bankruptcy and he/she can tell you anything you need to know. A good lawyer will give you proper advice, guide you in the right direction, and help you understand the filing for bankruptcy process better. A lawyer will also help you decide if you need to file for a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
You shouldn't incur any new debt if you will be filing for bankruptcy. Buying lots of stuff may seem okay, since the debt is going to be wiped out anyway, but courts aren't very keen on that sort of behavior. Take responsibility for your debt in whatever way you can. Now is the best time to begin displaying smart financial behavior.
Ask about lawyer accessibility and communications - does the lawyer have a policy about the length of time it takes to return calls or respond to emails? Does the lawyer use email in his or her practice at all? Will bankruptcy chapter 7 be able to reach the lawyer via cell phone? How will the lawyer keep you informed about the status of your case? I give my client's my cell phone number for use during business hours and make every effort to return calls or reply to emails same day, or the next day. Sometimes that means I call clients at 7pm or respond to an email at 10pm but I have never had a client unhappy to be contacted after hours.
Once you gather your information, you want weigh the costs versus the services. Each lawyer charges for different things. Some charge by the minute; some charge by 8th of the hour. You want to know if the lawyer charges for postage or hand-delivering documents. Do not forget that this is additional to the court fees. You want a lawyer who you feel comfortable with, who listens to your needs, and communicates well. Remember this person needs to represents your interests to the best of his or her ability. The cost he or she charges does not accurately reflect the service you are going to receive. For example, you can go with the biggest named law firm and have the worse lawyer on your team.
Referral Services. There are a number of referral services in Texas. The State Bar of Texas provides a list of referral services around the state. Referral services require lawyers to register and generally require lawyer members to carry malpractice insurance. In the Austin and central Texas area, contact the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas. Referral services often also set a limit on the fee charged for an initial consultation. The Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas requires its member lawyers to provide a 30 minute consultation for $20.
Right now you may feel as if you're at the end of your rope, but there are ways to get control over your debt while avoiding types of bankruptcies. The first thing you need to do is to get organized.
It's important to find an attorney you can trust. Ask friends or other professionals you deal with for recommendations of attorney they trust. If you have time, meet with several to discuss your case. This will give you a chance to discuss their fees and get a feel for them. You may find one you connect with and feel that you can trust. It will cost a little as most charge a consultation fee, but it could be a good investment.
How much experience does the attorney have in personal injury and what percentage of his or her practice does it compromise? If it's a hobby in the scope of the practice, keep looking.