Four Questions To Ask a Bankruptcy Lawyer Before Signing

With the widespread changes that happened in bankruptcy law in 2005, it is more important than ever to hire a competent, experienced lawyer for a successful bankruptcy case. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you want to be fully informed about what a prospective lawyer can offer and what to expect from them before you sign a contract. Here are four questions to ask before signing a contract:

Should I file for bankruptcy or do I have other options?

This question covers a lot of ground and allows the attorney to talk with you about several different issues and discuss your options. It allows them to give a recommendation as to whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is a better option for you, or even if there is an option outside of bankruptcy that you haven’t considered. This overview will give you a clear understanding of the benefits and drawbacks of filing for bankruptcy and is a good place to start with a prospective attorney.

Who will actually be handling my case?

Sometimes the lawyer you are speaking to isn’t actually the one who will be handling your case. It is important to know if they plan to pass the case on to someone else or will handle it themselves. There is typically a single hearing in bankruptcy cases, so if someone other than the lawyer you are speaking with is going to court with you, it is a good idea to talk to them so you can be comfortable with them and discuss the intricacies of your case.

How much of your time is devoted to bankruptcy cases?

If an attorney has 20 years of experience but only tries two or three cases a year, they won’t be as experienced as a lawyer that does bankruptcy work exclusively for a much shorter period of time. Bankruptcy laws have changed, so it is important to know that your attorney is familiar with these changes and can make them work for you.

How much do you charge for your services?

This might seem like a no-brainer first question, but it is a good idea to ask it last. First of all, it gives you an opportunity to see all of the other services that the attorney plans to provide. There are a number of ways an attorney can request to be paid. Some work on cases on an hourly basis, while others may charge a flat fee, so it is a good idea to get an estimate of how much a case will cost. Additionally, it is important to know if there are any other expenses that may be incurred during their work that may be charged to you. Remember, like in so many other things, with a lawyer, you get what you pay for.