If you’re facing the tough decision to declare bankruptcy, you could use an ally.
You did the best you could, but circumstances, and then your finances, got out of your control. You might be worrying that this is the end of your financial portfolio, and feeling that you don’t have enough say in your own future. You’ll be wondering how you can rebuild. And right now, you might be wondering if a lawyer is just another expense you can’t afford, or if choosing the right bankruptcy attorney might help you get the best of a bad situation.
It’s not the end, you still control your own fate, and with the help of an experienced bankruptcy attorney, you can rebuild your life, your business or career, and your financial future. You can start by calling to set up a consultation.
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What to Look for in Your Bankruptcy Attorney
Any list of qualities a good lawyer should possess could run on into the dozens. You probably have your own expectations already. The three qualities below stand out to us, though. When picking an attorney, try to keep them in mind.
- Experience – Does your attorney have experience handling bankruptcy cases? A reputation is important and referrals can be a huge help, but if you have access to a computer, do a background check. You’d want to see a resume for any new employee you hire. The same standards apply here. Can you find an attorney who has published articles on bankruptcy law? Can you find an attorney who has sat on relevant boards or other professional bodies related to bankruptcy law? While every case and every client will be different, you want an attorney who knows the field, who knows the precedents, and who has handled many different types of cases before.
- Integrity – It’s easy to underestimate the importance of a personal connection between a client and an attorney. Especially in bankruptcy, you’re sharing sensitive personal information with your attorney. You’ve come to your attorney in a financially vulnerable state. You want someone who’s open and honest, someone who encourages communication, and someone who makes you feel confident about the future. That doesn’t mean you should go with the attorney who makes the biggest promises. Do a gut check, and pick the person you can trust.
- Personal Service – You’re not paying for someone with a JD degree to go file your paperwork for you. You’re paying for someone who will treat you with respect and honesty, and who will treat your case as unique, not just “another bankruptcy, another paycheck.” That means attention. Your attorney should never make you feel like you’re wasting his or her time, or that you can’t ask the questions on your mind. Your attorney should help you understand your options. For example, is Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy a better choice in your circumstances? Is there another option besides bankruptcy? What steps can you take to avoid bankruptcy in the future? How can you start laying the groundwork for that future right now? You should be able to talk through these and other questions with an attorney giving you his or her full attention, backed by compassion and experience.
Moving Forward: The Future of Your Finances
Now that it’s 2017, it’s time to take control of your financial situation. If you have been experiencing financial setbacks and problems throughout 2016, there is something you can do about it.
At Cole, Sorrentino, Hurley, Hewner & Gambino, P.C., we’ve helped many people in Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Niagara Falls, and beyond, building a reputation as one of the most reliable bankruptcy firms in the area. We can help you, too. As a debt relief agency, our lawyers work hard for you to file the necessary documents and will stand by your side in court to ensure the bankruptcy process can be as smooth as possible.
Bankruptcy doesn’t have to be the end of your financial portfolio. Choosing the right bankruptcy attorney is your first step toward solvency. Let our team help prevent you from losing everything. Even if declaring bankruptcy isn’t right for you, we can still talk with you about your options. Contact us today and speak with one of our friendly representatives so you can move forward.
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Thank you for all this great information about finding a bankruptcy lawyer! I really like your point that a personal connection is more important so I can feel easy to communicate anyway that needs to help me in the process. I don’t like feeling vulnerable and thinking of going to a lawyer for financial help is pretty scary, I’ll be sure to see if we jive before moving forward with them.
These are some great tips, and I appreciate your suggestion to find a bankruptcy attorney with a good amount of experience. I’ve been having some really financially difficult times, and I’m thinking it might be best for me to file bankruptcy and start over. I imagine that having someone with a lot of experience would be valuable, so I’ll definitely look for that when researching different attorneys.
My husband and I are getting ready to file for bankruptcy but thought it would be best if we consulted with a lawyer first to make sure we were making the right decision. You mentioned that when looking for an attorney it is best to look for someone that can make a personal connection with you as a client since you are sharing sensitive personal information. That is a great point that I will have to look for when I start finding a lawyer that will be helpful for us.
I agree that you would want to find a bankruptcy attorney that is honest and who has integrity. It would make sense to look for someone with integrity because you could then trust them. You may also want to check with your local bar association in order to know they are experienced.
It really helped when you mentioned how you should look for a bankruptcy attorney who can treat you with respect and provide customized services. I can understand how taking the time to do some research and compare several lawyers can help you find the one that can help with your bankruptcy case. My brother was talking about how he needed to find an attorney that could help him with chapter 13 forms, so I’ll share your page with him.
I agree with you in that it is important to choose a bankruptcy attorney you can trust. It is important to remember that taking the time to do this can help you be confident that the attorney you have chosen will have your best interests in mind and can help you deal with your debts properly. Personally, I would want to find a bankruptcy attorney that has experience with cases like mine and knows how to navigate the legal system to help me have the best results.
I have never had to file for bankruptcy before, but I can see why those who are would want an attorney. I like that you suggest finding a lawyer who is honest and who you can trust. I know I’d be much more comfortable discussing finances with someone who I know. Thanks for sharing.
I really appreciate how you said that a bankruptcy attorney should have a lot of experience. I agree with you that they should practice honesty in their work. My parents are looking into a good bankruptcy attorney with a lot of integrity; I’ll pass along this post.
I do agree with you about your idea of choosing a lawyer with integrity and will make the person feel confident during the times when they feel the most vulnerable. That might prove to be the most important to my friend now as I see how vulnerable he is. I promised to help him look for a bankruptcy lawyer, and I will see to it that I hire the best one. Thanks!
I appreciate how you said that a bankruptcy attorney should have open communication with you. I also like how you said that they should have a lot of experience too. My husband and I are looking for a bankruptcy attorney to get us us out of some financial troubles.