Hiring a bankruptcy attorney is a great way to feel less overwhelmed by the entire process of having to go through bankruptcy. Without professional help, it’s often a scary thought trying to figure out what you’re going to be dealing with. By finding a qualified attorney who can help you get through the experience and learn what to expect, what you need, and what you will get out of the whole process, you will be much better prepared for bankruptcy than you thought possible. Filing bankruptcy is a serious step that requires excellent counsel and proper representation.

Here’s how to find and then choose the best bankruptcy attorney for you.

Specialization in my law practice

You will want to make sure that the attorney you choose specializes and works frequently on bankruptcy cases. Some lawyers work on almost every type of case you can think of. When you choose a bankruptcy attorney, you’ll be sure to get service and results that can only come from a true expert. The laws and details of handling a bankruptcy case change all the time, so the more your bankruptcy expert specializes in the bankruptcy process, the more likely you are to have a great experience. Choosing an attorney who works almost exclusively with the bankruptcy process is the best way to get the service and results you want without all the stress.

My lawyer is accurate and consistent

Excellent work means that your attorney has attention to detail. He or she will really listen to you and personally handle the data entry for your important paperwork. The difference between having an ‘average’ lawyer and a great lawyer is the difference between losing a car or a house and keeping your valuables protected. It’s the difference between your case being a disaster requiring extra cost and taking extra months, and your case being completed quickly and painlessly.

My lawyer has the experience

You want someone who handles a lot of cases, but who personally manages your case. Ask how many cases the attorney files each year. Now, some firms will say “thousands of cases” because they are ‘factories’ and lawyers don’t do cases themselves, but shift this important legal work to paralegals and other non-lawyers. If your lawyer’s files have a lot of cases, that’s great! Just make sure he or she personally handles the cases. I’m usually in New York and New Jersey, but I know a great attorney who works with me out of my California office. He files thousands a year but he personally handles and does each of his cases. He is very weird. The more questions you ask, the better for you!

My lawyer knows his practice

Most importantly, however, hiring a bankruptcy attorney will ensure that you get the proper foundation to deal with the legal process. There are many myths that seem to cloud California bankruptcy laws, and if you are not well-versed in the legal process, you may miss important facts. For example, debt bailout might be dealt with through Chapter 7, while avoiding foreclosure is best dealt with through Chapter 13. Dealing with this type of bankruptcy requires a lot of legal paperwork to be prepared, a chore that someone achieves more efficiently. familiar with the system.

Remember who you choose to handle your case is your business (and make no mistake about it, bankruptcy law is a business). But having the right representative on your side, fighting for you, makes a big difference in how easy the process is and how you get out on the other side, so make sure you choose the right attorney for you.