Tips For Finding A Bankruptcy Lawyer

Its still a tough economy out there. No doubt about it. As of April 2012, the unemployment rate sat at 8.1%. That comes out to roughly 12.5 million eligible workers who are out of work. And these are just the people actively searching; this number doesnt include those who have given up, of which there are plenty more. What happens when a country is filled with this many unemployed citizens? The accumulation of personal debt skyrockets. In 2010, 1.5 million Americans declared bankruptcy. That number saw a 12% decrease in 2011, but thats still 1.4 million filings in one year, a staggering amount. People who never would have imagined that they would have to file for bankruptcy are all of a sudden doing just that, thanks to a wintry economic climate that, despite small improvements, has a grim outlook for a long time to come. The best thing anyone filing for bankruptcy can do is hire a lawyer. Having an attorney minimizes harassment from creditors and the risk of error during the filing process. And even though it seems antithetical to hire a lawyer, which can be costly, while filing for bankruptcy, but in the long run it does save money for filers. Correction, a GOOD attorney will do this. But how can bankruptcy filers find an outstanding, yet affordable, bankruptcy lawyer?

First, make sure to find an attorney who specializes in bankruptcy law. There are other lawyers who will represent filers that specialize in other fields, but they will have less experience as a byproduct of that. This can be done online for the most part, certainly by phone. Check to see if the attorney is certified by the American Board of Certification. Most bankruptcy lawyers are actually not, but if he or she is, thats a good sign, and proves that he or she is a proven expert in the field. Be thorough. Dont just pick the first name in the yellow pages. Its okay to contact the state bar association, in fact it should be encouraged. State associations are required to review complaints and keep records of any disciplinary action that has been taken of attorneys.

Another good way to scout for a good bankruptcy attorney is to spend a day or two at the local courthouse. Courts in several parts of the country contain packets of information about several , if not all of the attorneys who regularly practice in that courthouse. These packets are not, nor or they meant to be recommendations or endorsements, but they will basic information about the attorney. Its also helpful to spend to simply spend time in the courtroom and watch the cases. Watch some of the attorneys actually playing their game. Ask fellow filers about their experiences with their respective attorneys.

But the best step a filer can take is to simply arrange a meeting with several of the attorneys around the area. Most bankruptcy lawyers will schedule preliminary one-on-one interviews and do it for free, or a minimal charge at most. This is absolutely the best way to get a feel for the attorneys work ethic, knowledge of the field and character. Have several questions prepared. What is your current workload? What information do I need to get started? Is bankruptcy even the right option? And of course, what is your fee?

Filing for bankruptcy is a trying process, both on time and on the emotions. Theres no reason to make the process harder than it needs to be. For more information about loan modification or mortgage lawyers, check these out.

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