Understanding What Bankruptcy Really Means

Going through bankruptcy is a great way to get a solid grip on your financial health. Bankruptcy has important implications for your financial life, which is why you want to hire the right bankruptcy attorney to help you with the process.

Get References from Other Professionals

If you have worked with other legal professionals before your personal or business life, reach out to them for references. For example, if you had worked with a real estate lawyer when you purchased your home, ask them for recommendations for a bankruptcy attorney. Or, if you have worked with a personal injury attorney before, ask them for a recommendation. Many attorneys know other attorneys who work in different areas of law and can offer solid recommendations.

Attend Bankruptcy Court

The bankruptcy court is open to the public. Find out where your local bankruptcy court is held and spend a few hours or a day watching cases. This will give you an idea of what goes into a bankruptcy case. This will also give you an idea of what traits you want in your attorney. You may even observe an attorney that you like and ask for their card so you can do business with them. Attending bankruptcy court is a great way to figure out what you want from an attorney and gain a deeper understanding of the process you are ready to undergo.

Investigate Local Bankruptcy Court Panel

Net, you are going to want to find out who sits on the local bankruptcy court panel. These are attorneys who appear in bankruptcy court regularly and who are well regarded in the community. You could see if any of those attorneys are ones that you are interested in working with.

You could also ask for the name of attorneys that sit on the local bankruptcy court's creditor committee e or debtor committee. All these names should represent attorneys who are good at their job and understand the intricacies of bankruptcy court.

Look to National Organizations

You can also find a bankruptcy attorney by looking at online directories for national organizations. For example, both The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and The American Bar Association (ABA) are two organizations that have online directors. The ABA will offer a list of all types of attorneys, and you can sort to find bankruptcy attorneys. The NACBA provides a list of bankruptcy attorneys in your area.

When it comes to finding a bankruptcy attorney, you will want to ask other attorneys for recommendations, attend bankruptcy court, look into individuals serving on bankruptcy-related panels with the local court system, and use online directories to find potential attorneys. Once you have a few attorneys you are interested in working with, you will want to consult with them to see if their style and fees fit what you are looking for.