How to Find a Bankruptcy Attorney

It can sometimes be challenging to find the right legal attorney you need for your legal matters. First of all, you need to understand what type of lawyer you need. Next, you can look for their expertise, experience, and other things. This useful guide will help you to learn how to find a bankruptcy attorney easily.

Like in every profession, there are also good and bad lawyers. So, it’s essential to consider a few things while choosing a bankruptcy lawyer. You can select by personal referral, or you can search for a good bankruptcy attorney near me on the search engine. Apart from this, there are a few things that you need to consider while hiring a bankruptcy lawyer.

How to Find a Bankruptcy Attorney

Many people don’t know how to find a bankruptcy attorney correctly. The chances are high that you may lose your legal case if you don’t find the right lawyer. So, follow the following steps to find the right legal attorney who can bring justice to your bankruptcy case.

Where to Find a Good Bankruptcy Lawyer?

When you are looking for how to find a bankruptcy attorney, the first thing that comes to mind is where to find. Some of the best places to find a good bankruptcy attorney are: 

• American Bar Association
• The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

Although you find a list of good attorneys from these directories, you should never take them for granted. Keep your eyes open while choosing an attorney from the listings. 

American Bar Association

When you are using the ABA site, you can find lawyers and legal firms that meet its standards. You can choose a lawyer or a legal firm who have expertise in bankruptcy. Also, you can check your local resources and state’s legal bar association. 

The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys

The NACBA directory exclusively lists the attorneys according to their qualifications and experience. However, it’s never a good practice to consult someone without knowing about the lawyer and their expertise. 

Additionally, you can ask your friends and colleagues to find a suitable lawyer for your case. It doesn’t matter where you find, don’t forget to consider the following things when hiring a lawyer. 

• Does the attorney have enough expertise and experience to help you?
• Are the Fees Reasonable?
• Will You Feel Comfortable to Work With This Lawyer?

Once you get yes to all the questions, you can go for the lawyer if you want. However, you can also consider other things, but these three are the primary and most important factors. 

Check the Experience and Expertise of the Attorney

The first thing you need to consider when searching for a bankruptcy attorney is the lawyer’s experience and expertise. You shouldn’t hire a lawyer who doesn’t have expertise in bankruptcy. A general lawyer may not be able to interpret your case properly, and you may lose the case in no time. 

It’s common sense that you don’t visit a dentist for a problem in your heart. Similarly, you should first ask about the specialization of the lawyer. Once you find that the lawyer has the right qualification and expertise, you can ask for the number of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bank cases the lawyer handled before. 

Also, you can check for certification from the American Board of Certification. It enhances your confidence to work with a certified lawyer, and the chances are higher that you can win the case. 

Consider the Fees

The second important thing that you need to consider is the fees. There is no right way to decide how much an attorney should charge you. That’s completely up to you and your negotiation skills. Some attorneys may not negotiate, and others may agree, so it’s up to you how you discuss this matter. 

Usually, a Chapter 13 case will cost you more than a Chapter 7 case. The fees can vary for each state and for different cases. You can expect that Chapter 7 may cost you around $500 to $4000, and you may have to pay $1500 to $6500 for a Chapter 13 case. Each case differs and becomes expensive, depending on the complexity of the case. 

Always have an open conversation and talk about the fee structure upfront. Ensure that you ask about the services included in your first conversation with the lawyer. When hiring a bankruptcy lawyer, consider your financial conditions, and analyze whether it’s worth it. 

Compatibility is Essential

Finally, you must be comfortable working with the legal attorney. Communication between you and the lawyer plays an important role while you are hiring a bankruptcy lawyer. The attorney may be a good one but cannot help you unless you feel comfortable working with her/him. 

Although the lawyer is not your friend, you may need to talk openly. One of the key things you need to keep in mind is that a bankruptcy lawyer will give you serious advice. So, you shouldn’t keep essential things secret because it can negatively impact your case. 

As you will be working closely with the legal attorney, compatibility, and open communication is essential. If you are seeking legal advice from a legal firm or bankruptcy mills, look at whether they allow you to work with attorneys on a one-on-one basis. If you don’t get a chance to talk to a bankruptcy attorney personally, it’s a dealbreaker. 

Finally, here are the final thoughts on how to find a bankruptcy attorney.

Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to find a bankruptcy attorney, you can select the right lawyer based on the three factors. First, you need to check the qualification, experience, and certification of the attorney. Next, you need to consider the lawyer’s fees or law firm or bankruptcy attorney before working with them. Finally, compatibility also plays a vital role while you are choosing the right lawyer. Now, if you have any queries, you can ask in the comment section. 

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