Four Questions To Ask a Bankruptcy Lawyer Before Signing - It is important to be fully informed about what a prospective lawyer can offer and what to expect from them. Get in touch with a top Bay Area bankruptcy attorney who knows how to get the job done quickly and effectively. Contact Lincoln Law at 800-722-6578 for a free consultation.
Bankruptcy
law has gone through many changes in recent years, which makes a good lawyer
more important than ever for a successful bankruptcy case. It is also important
to be fully informed about what a prospective lawyer can offer and what to
expect from them. If you are talking to a bankruptcy lawyer, here are four
questions to ask them before signing a contract:
Should I file
for bankruptcy or do I have other options?
This
is a broad question that allows the attorney to cover a lot of ground with you
and discuss your options. It allows them to give a recommendation as to whether
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is a better option for you, or even if there is an
option outside of bankruptcy that you haven’t considered. This overview will
likely give you a clear understanding of the benefits and negatives of filing
bankruptcy and is a good place to start with a prospective attorney.
Who will
actually be handling my case?
Sometimes
the lawyer you are speaking to isn’t actually the one who will be handling your
case. It is good to know if they plan to pass the case on to someone else.
There is typically a single hearing in bankruptcy cases. So if someone other
than the lawyer you are speaking with actually goes to court with you, it is a
good idea to talk to them as well that way you can be familiar with them and
discuss the case with them.
How much of your
time is devoted to bankruptcy cases?
Even
if an attorney has 20 years of experience, if they only do two or three cases a
year, they won’t be as experienced as a lawyer that does bankruptcy work
exclusively for a much shorter period of time. Bankruptcy laws have changed, so
it is important to know that your attorney is familiar with these changes.
How much do
you charge for your services?
This
might seem like a no-brainer first question, but it is a good idea to ask it
last. First of all, it gives you an opportunity to see all of the other
services that the attorney plans to provide. There are a number of ways an
attorney can request to be paid. Some work on cases on an hourly basis, while
others may charge a flat fee, so it is a good idea to get an estimate of how
much a case will cost. Additionally, it is important to know if there are any
other expenses that may be incurred during their work that may be charged to
you. Remember, like in so many other things, with a lawyer, you get what you
pay for.
If you are seriously considering bankruptcy and
live in Oakland, San Francisco, or Berkeley, you need to consult with a Bay
Area bankruptcy attorney. While the process is complicated, they will be able
to help you understand your options and help you avoid making bad decisions
that you could later regret. Isn't it time you got rid of all that debt —for
good? Get in touch with a top Bay Area bankruptcy attorney who knows how to get
the job done quickly and effectively. Contact Lincoln Law at 800-722-6578 for a
free consultation.
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