As bankruptcy attorneys continue to see expanding case loads and the bankruptcy process becomes more difficult to navigate, it’s more important than ever to hire a bankruptcy lawyer that will represent your interests to the fullest extent possible. This includes guidance from a bankruptcy attorney on whether a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 will provide the best results for you, as well as taking advantage of every opportunity available in each of those bankruptcy formats. While searching for this type of high-quality bankruptcy representation, you should focus on hiring a bankruptcy attorney with the five following characteristics:
* Experience - As the rate of bankruptcy filings has increased, attorneys practicing in other legal areas have migrated their focus toward bankruptcy. Be sure you’re dealing with a bankruptcy specialist and not one that was practicing something like family law a couple of months ago.
* Availability – You’re hiring an attorney, not a paralegal or a legal secretary. Make sure that you will be working with your bankruptcy attorney throughout the process, not with the office staff. That being said, the office staff will be overseeing some basic activities involved in the process. For that reason, it’s important to consider the overall quality of the firm’s support staff as well.
* Technology – Many of the routine activities involved in the bankruptcy process such as document preparation and submission can now be automated and tracked via the use of bankruptcy-specific software programs. These programs serve to free bankruptcy attorneys’ time to focus on specific details of their clients’ situations.
* A manageable case load – As mentioned, bankruptcy filings are on the increase. In your search for a bankruptcy attorney, you are likely to come across high volume firms which act basically like bankruptcy factories as well as competent firms which are just carrying too big a case load to truly give their best to their clients. Working with a firm which has a manageable case load will give you plenty of direct contact with your attorney and allow them to pursue the best possible result for you.
* Location – Location is important for two reasons; convenience and familiarity with the procedural protocols of the bankruptcy court which where your bankruptcy will be filed. Regarding convenience, at the start of the process you will have an initial consultation followed by a court requirement to start providing financial and other forms of documentation. The office doesn’t have to be in your neighborhood but make it close enough that your trips to the office aren’t a burden. Regarding protocol, working with a bankruptcy attorney who is familiar with the local court will ensure that everything goes as planned.
The big advantage of working with a bankruptcy attorney who meets these five characteristics is that you’ll be able to rest assured knowing that your case is being represented to maximize the your ultimate outcome. The bankruptcy attorneys at The Feldman Law Center take pride in providing both the best service and best results for each one of their clients. For a free consultation on your bankruptcy needs, visit http://www.feldmanlawcenter.com/ or call (800) 527 8497 today.