How to Find a Great Chapter 7 Attorney

Written By: Emil FleysherMay 2, 2022
how-to-find-a-great-chapter-7-attorney

Debt is an inevitable part of making big purchases. Most financial experts even advise people to seek loan assistance when making a significant purchase.

If managed, you are eventually cleared of this debt. Unfortunately, this is not the scenario for every debtor. Some people might face financial hurdles leading to their bankruptcy.

Most people interpret bankruptcy as the lack of financial assets. However, bankruptcy means that an individual's loan exceeds their assets.

Filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is the most common path debtors usually take. Chapter 7 is also known as the liquidation chapter of the Bankruptcy Code.

According to the law, Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code allows creditors to collect a debtor's non-exempt assets and use them to repay their outstanding loan.

If you or a family member considers a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you must find a bankruptcy attorney.

This blog post will guide you on where you can find a bankruptcy lawyer and what you should look for in one.

Where to Find a Good Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer in Your Area

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A debt relief option is applicable for individual who suffers from bankruptcy. This allows debtors to pay for their debt with a different option or a flexible payment plan. Finding an experienced bankruptcy attorney is crucial when you file for debt relief.

Here are some institutions where you can find an experienced bankruptcy specialist:

  • State Bar Association. A state bar association is an organization established by registered professional lawyers representing each U.S. state. This state-based organization maintains a directory of registered and practicing lawyers in their local area. They can help you connect with nearby lawyers proficient in bankruptcy law.
  • National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). The NACBA is an organization of bankruptcy attorneys representing debtors. NACBA is a significant organization that helped shape the current bankruptcy law by filling the Amicus Brief.
  • Online Directories. There is a vast selection of law firm directories available in a simple Google search. These digital directories help debtors find a bankruptcy attorney near their location. Furthermore, most of these websites have a rating system that allows clients to see an attorney's success rate.
  • Legal Aid Offices. Legal aid organizations help individuals find an attorney with an affordable fee and flexible payment plans. Most of these organizations are non-profit. A legal aid office is a perfect option for low-income or budget-stricken individuals.
  • National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA). The NACA is another non-profit organization comprising more than 1500 attorneys from all sectors. The organization helps debtors connect with an experienced attorney to help them with the bankruptcy filing.
  • Personal Referrals. Referrals from individuals with similar experiences are also an option. Often, personal referrals are more effective since it bears strong social proof.

You must seek consultation with a few attorneys before making a decision. This way, you can gauge the expertise and experience of each attorney and ensure that you are going with the best option.

What You Should Look for in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

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Now that you know where to find bankruptcy lawyers, it's time to evaluate which one is the right person for your case. You need to weigh several factors before proceeding with an attorney of your choice.

You will need to consider an attorney's experience, the field of expertise, and attorney fees. No two attorneys are the same. A bankruptcy attorney might have more experience with Chapter 13 bankruptcy while the other is more proficient with Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Assessing what you are looking for in an attorney is the best way to narrow down your options. Ultimately, you want someone you can build a solid attorney-client relationship with.

A strong attorney-client relationship means that you can confidently confide your challenges with your attorney. This relationship will be your foundation of trust.

Experience and Expertise

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Experience and proficiency with bankruptcy laws is the most critical determining factor you must consider.

Bankruptcy law is a complicated legal area. The bankruptcy process is composed of complicated procedures that generalists may find confusing.

Hiring an inexperienced bankruptcy lawyer can be detrimental to your case. Missing deadlines and inappropriately filing forms can cause delay, or worse, denial of your bankruptcy case.

Seeking the legal assistance of a bankruptcy specialist ensures that you are taking the appropriate steps within the proper timeline.

Many lawyers may be available in your area, but only a small population specializes in bankruptcy law.

Take advantage of the free consultation most lawyers offer to their prospective clients. The free initial consultation allows you to assess and ask your potential lawyer critical questions.

Ask your prospective lawyer about their insights and how they will handle your case. Furthermore, you can also ask them for certifications, organization memberships, and peer recommendations.

Here are some questions you can ask in your next legal appointment:

  • Specialization and credentials. You can directly ask your lawyer about their specialization if it's not indicated on their website. Furthermore, you can also ask them about their years of experience and how they handled cases similar to yours.
  • Frequency of cases handled. You must ask your lawyer how many bankruptcy cases they take per month or year. This detail will provide insight if a law firm is a bankruptcy mill or they know how to manage clients' cases.
  • Fee structure and inclusion. Ask your lawyer about their offered payment structures. Make sure to ask what is included and excluded in their service fee and if you can have a personalized quotation.
  • Who will take your case? Some law firms are composed of multiple attorneys. If you are inquiring about a law firm composed of various lawyers, make sure to ask who will handle your case. Ask about the lawyer's credentials, experience, and expertise.

Compensation That Fits Your Case

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Bankruptcy casesvary from one another. More complicated cases will yield higher compensation compared to a simple bankruptcy case.

A case's complexity also affects the attorney's service fee. In general, Chapter 13 cases are more challenging and cost more than Chapter 7 cases. It would be best to consider this when selecting an attorney.

Remember that you must get your money's worth. Although experience is a critical factor, selecting a high-end attorney over a simple bankruptcy case may not be financially reasonable.

Some law firms may offer a contingency payment, which means that you will only pay the attorney fees if they are successful with your case. However, most bankruptcy lawyers do not offer this option.

You must consult with multiple professionals before choosing an attorney. You can also ask them for payments options and a contingency payment basis.

Communication and Compatibility

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Attorney-client compatibility is also an essential factor you need to consider when selecting an attorney. A solid attorney-client relationship is built with trust and effective communication.

You need to ensure that you can confidently disclose sensitive and critical information with your lawyer. Your lawyer must also ensure that any information revealed in the consultation remains confidential.

Filing for bankruptcy is a sensitive topic for most individuals. Often, it is not easy for them to share their financial situation with anyone, even with a lawyer.

A lawyer needs to project a sense of trust and security. The lawyer plays the role of the advisor in these cases. They are usually the ones who deliver challenging advice and 'hard truths' to help their client.

An effective lawyer is also a compelling communicator. They must possess the ability to deliver these harsh facts in a welcoming and non-discriminating manner.

Most legal experts encourage clients to avoid bankruptcy mills. These establishments are usually larger law firms that accept bankruptcy cases despite their inability to handle your case appropriately.

As a client, you want a lawyer or a law firm to take your case seriously. Handling bankruptcy cases requires extensive time and meticulous attention.

Benefits of Working with a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

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Financially challenged debtors may opt to file bankruptcy for debt relief. However, filing a bankruptcy case is not always a straightforward process.

You will need to seek help from a good bankruptcy lawyer to ensure that you correctly do the bankruptcy process. These legal specialists are experienced in helping clients file their bankruptcy claims seamlessly and appropriately.

  • In-depth case analysis. Your bankruptcy attorney will meticulously analyze your case. They will look at every side of your bankruptcy claim and identify the best way for you to proceed. Furthermore, they can also provide clarity for your case and introduce various legal options.
  • Astute legal insights and advice. A bankruptcy attorney is experienced in interpreting legal statutes and translating them so that a client can understand them. Hiring an experienced lawyer can provide analytical insight into your case and advice on what needs to be done.
  • Bankruptcy filing. Bankruptcy attorneys help their clients by handling the required legal groundwork. A bankruptcy lawyer has a profound understanding of the legal processes behind bankruptcy claims.
  • Representation in the bankruptcy court. Appearing before the bankruptcy court may be inevitable in some cases. Finding a distinguished bankruptcy attorney is beneficial and necessary in this case.

Furthermore, if you are unsure whether to file a bankruptcy claim or not, an experienced attorney can help you make the best decision. They can advise you when is the right time and situation to file a bankruptcy case.

You need to seek a lawyer who understands your situation and will advocate for your rights. Most bankruptcy law firms provide free legal advice. Take advantage of this offer to understand your lawyer and the law firm better.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer Near Me | Contact The Law Offices of Emil Fleysher for Legal Assistance

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There are various ways you can find an experienced legal specialist. However, choosing the best lawyer boils down to your personal case and the lawyer's specialty.

When facing a financial crisis and considering whether to file for bankruptcy or not, you will need to see a legal expert. These experts can help point you in the right direction.

The Law Office of Emil Fleysher has already helped countless debtors, business owners, and other clients file for bankruptcy.

Our legal services cover Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Loan modification assistance, Foreclosure assistance, and many more!

Are you looking for expert help to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? Contact our law firm now at 888.886.0020 for a free consultation. You can also visit our website to complete our online contact form.

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