Finding a Bankruptcy Lawyer

When a business or person is unable to repay debts, a state of bankruptcy can occur. While there is a stigma of embarrassment attached to filing bankruptcy, the process is available for those who have exhausted all other options for payment of debt. And, while you can file for bankruptcy on your own—without benefit of an attorney—it is wise to consider using a bankruptcy lawyer, especially in light of all of the new rules and regulations that went into effect in the US bankruptcy courts in the past few years.

Whether you need an attorney for a consumer or business bankruptcy, here are some tips for finding and selecting a bankruptcy lawyer:

• Speak with others who have filed bankruptcy and ask for a recommendation for an attorney.
• If you do not know of anyone personally who has filed bankruptcy, you can visit online forums and speak with people in your area through message boards. Since online message boards are mostly anonymous, people are more likely to be honest and forthcoming with their opinions concerning local attorneys and lawyers. You may get better advice about bankruptcy lawyers from members of online forums and message boards.
• Since state bar associations usually operate free referral systems, contact the Bar Association in your state, and ask for attorney referrals. Make sure that the lawyers are certified by the American Bankruptcy Institute.
• To help you narrow your list of attorneys, check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been made against any lawyers in your area.
• If you have a lawyer, ask him for a name of a good bankruptcy attorney.

Once you have a list of names, contact each attorney on your list. Prepare a list of questions to ask, and make sure that you ask about costs of attorney services, versus the actual costs of filing bankruptcy paperwork with the courts. Ask if your initial visit is free, or if there will be a charge. Make sure that you explain in your initial phone conversation that you wish to meet with an attorney to determine if you will use his or her services for your bankruptcy. Most attorneys will waive an initial visit fee, especially in light of the fact that you are about to file bankruptcy.

In the end, however, you must trust your own judgment and ask yourself if you feel comfortable with the attorney you are thinking of choosing to handle your bankruptcy. Never choose at attorney who makes you feel guilty for having made the decision to file bankruptcy.