Should You Get a Bankruptcy Lawyer?
Bankruptcy is tough and stressful enough just to think about. You have to make crucial decisions and in some cases, you need to make them fast. There are a couple of things you need to think about before filing or hiring an attorney to help you out.
If You do not Hire A Lawyer, At Least Consult With One
This is my advice before anything: at least consult with a bankruptcy lawyer before anything happens, its free. If you are looking for a bankruptcy attorney, have a look at the bankruptcy attorney directory.
If you skip out on a free consultation, you may miss out on some advice from someone who knows the law very well. If this is your first time for filing for bankruptcy, you are going to want that knowledge and experience on your side.
Think About Your Debt & How Much Money You Owe
Chances are, if you are filing for bankruptcy, you do not have much more money to give out. Bankruptcy certainly is not cheap, but if it is going to clear your debts off and keep you away from a court hearing and you can afford a lawyer and fees, it is certainly worth it. To set your cards all in order, the first thing you need to do is put all of your debt in a row, add it all up and see how much you have in debt. Then, consult with a lawyer and they will give you the fees point blank – a good one will at least – and they will give you their opinion if you should file for a chapter 7 or a chapter 13 case. A good, and honest lawyer will tell you they believe it is worth it or not. I recently went to see a lawyer about bankruptcy and he told me I did not even have enough debt, that I would be paying him more and that he would rather see that money go out to my debt.
You Should Hire A Lawyer If:
1. If you have a complicated Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case
Though chapter 7 cases are easier to handle than chapter 13 cases, there still may be some factors that can complicate things. If you have a higher income and much asset, this may complicate things. Also, if any creditors are accusing you of fraud and you live in the east-valley of Phoenix, you should seek a Gilbert bankruptcy lawyer.
2. If you are filing a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case
A chapter 13 bankruptcy case will allow you to pay your debts off by creating a three to five-year payment plan. The reason for filing a Chapter 13 case is if you have a higher income than the local media if you want to take control of your auto loan, or if you would like to get rid of your second mortgage. By not hiring a bankruptcy lawyer, you would be responsible for creating your payment plan. Let’s not forget to mention; your case may be dismissed because you are not being represented by a lawyer.
3. You cannot Commit To Your Case
Representing yourself takes much time. If you have a busy schedule and can’t dedicate any part of your day to your case, you should hire a bankruptcy attorney.