5 tips for choosing the right bankruptcy attorney for you
Filing for bankruptcy is a great life choice. As I have written in previous posts, it is not as scary as people make it out to be. That said, it’s important to choose an attorney who knows what he’s doing and has a reputation for good client advocacy.
You don’t want to get stuck with someone who doesn’t return your phone calls, is rude, or gets banned after they start taking your money.
What follows are some tips for choosing a good bankruptcy attorney.
1. You can find experienced bankruptcy attorneys by using NACBA’s attorney search function. NACBA is the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers. The attorneys you find on this site have paid dues to the organization, which I think shows that they are committed to the field of bankruptcy. You want an attorney who files for bankruptcy regularly, not once or twice a year.
2. Another good source is your local bar association. Contact your local bar association and see if they have a referral service. Referral services generally require attorneys to have 5 years of experience in the field you are researching. They also often require that their attorneys refer clients to have completed continuing education courses in the field they are seeking.
3. Ask about the reputation of the attorneys. If you don’t know anyone who has used them, look online. Attorneys are rated by http://www.avvo.com. While their methodology may not be perfect (for example, you may have a great lawyer with 20 years of experience who is rated a 7.0, on the other hand, you may have one with 2 years of experience who is a 10.0). I’m not sure how accurate the ratings are, but at least you can see if they have any reports of misconduct.
4. Go for a free consultation. Most bankruptcy attorneys will give you 30 to 60 minutes of their time to find out if you are a good candidate for bankruptcy and to determine how complex your case is. This really has the added purpose of helping you determine if this is someone you would feel comfortable working with. Some attorneys charge a consultation fee. If this is the case for the attorney you want to meet with, ask if they apply that fee to the attorney’s general fee. Even if they charge an additional fee for the consultation, it may be worth it if your reputation is excellent.
5. Ultimately make the decision using all the information at your disposal. If they were referred by a reliable source, if they have a good reputation, and if the fee is something you feel comfortable paying, feel confident in your choice to go ahead and provide your attorney with all the information they request. If you have done this, your case is likely to go smoothly.
Best of luck,
Steven M Palmer, Esq.
Licensed in WA and OH