Ways To Avoid Hiring A Bad Bankruptcy Laywer

WAYS TO AVOID HIRING A BAD BANKRUPTCY LAWYER
(adapted from 12/06/10 article in Bankrate.com published in Money Magazine)

1. GET REFERRALS FROM PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS – The best source is other lawyers who are familiar with the lawyer’s talents and reputation.
2. INVESTIGATE CERTIFICATIONS –Attorneys Certified by organizations such as the American Board of Certification are singled out for recognition in the 2005 change in the Bankruptcy Code.
3. CHECK OUT IF THE LAWYER SITS ON LOCAL BANKRUPTCY COMMITTEES   These people are generally most familiar with the system and the judges and are recognized by their peers as worthy of being appointed.
4. CHECK OUT THE LAW FIRMS OFFICES “You wouldn’t go to a doctor with a dirty examining room and you don’t want to go to a lawyer with a disorganized office.”
5. DON’T HIRE THE CHEAPEST LAWYER What you think is simple low cost bankruptcy may far more complex than you want to think. “When it’s all said and done, you want a lawyer who knows the system and will do the best job representing you” in  discharging your debts and keeping your assets.
6. Don’t Wait until the last minute – Your attorney needs the time to adequately understand your plight and prepare accurate schedules and statements

ASK QUESTIONS (for example):

• How many consumer bankruptcies do you do a month/year.?
• How much access will I have to the attorney?
• Can I interview the paralegal or associate working on my file?
• How will the procedure work?
• Did they give  brochure explaining certain parts of the bankruptcy process?
• EVALUATE THE RESPONSES: Make sure the attorney answered your questions fairly and with enough detail to allow you to make an informed decision

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLE A lawyer who briefs you on your role is probably a  keeper.
2. GET FEE SPECIFICS Make sure that you have a signed fee agreement which spells out your role and what you are paying for and what you are not.
3. STAY INVOLVED: Check the documents prepared by the lawyer to ensure they are accurate and complete. Mistakes in the filings may create problems and will certainly run up the costs