Bankruptcy is intimidating at the best of times and because most individuals only ever declare bankruptcy once, it can be confusing to look for a bankruptcy lawyer on your own. Fortunately, there are resources out there to help you locate the best lawyer for the job. To begin, visit the NACBA or National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys through the American Bar Association website. This will give you an idea of who is qualified to take a case like this in your location.
Experience Is Essential
Even if a law firm indicates that they help with cases of Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best firm for your case. You need somebody with experience to help you navigate the red tape and restrictions that accompany this type of financial declaration.
Using a lawyer who doesn’t have enough experience could result in you losing property that you could have kept if the firm had more practice. Not all bankruptcy is the same – get in contact with potential firms to determine whether they handle your Chapter and how many cases they’ve taken on in the past. He or she should also be competent with state laws regarding bankruptcy, not just federal ones.
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Choose a Bankruptcy Lawyer You Can Reach
Unfortunately, when it comes to bankruptcy and foreclosure there are a lot of time restrictions to work with. If you don’t complete a document within a certain time frame, you could lose more than you need to. If you contact a bankruptcy lawyer and hear back in a reasonable amount of time, you can rest assured that the attorney is reliable and won’t leave you in a lurch during crunch time. Somebody who takes weeks to respond is likely not the best candidate for the job.
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Previous Client Reviews
Lawyers and clients share a privilege of confidentiality but some clients are still willing to post thoughts and opinions about their interaction with a law firm. Read ratings and reviews posted on a firm’s official website or do an internet search to see if you can dig up any client ratings left on other sites. Remember to take some of these reviews with a grain of salt, as individual experiences don’t always reflect the professionalism or success of a specific bankruptcy lawyer. If most of the reviews are negative, however, it might be a good idea to move on.
Friends, family, and colleagues are also good resources for referrals. Many individuals claiming bankruptcy hope to conceal it from loved ones and work relations – if this is you, the online search might be a better option.
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Contact Groce & DeArmon
For more information about bankruptcy lawyers, or services offered by Groce & DeArmon, contact us today.
