5 Things to Look for When Choosing an Attorney

Bankruptcy can be an exasperating and stressful process for most people. However, With their proper training, experience, and skills, bankruptcy attorneys can help these same people navigate through the minefield of financial fears that loom large.

Because everyone has unique situations and different temperaments, no single bankruptcy attorney is suitable for every single bankruptcy case. You need to hire the one who not only understands your goals, but is also equipped with the necessary resources and knowledge, has good consumer reviews, and is honest when it comes to retainers, pricing, and other fees.

Following are 5 things to look for when choosing an attorney:

1. Experience

One of the most important things to consider when hiring a bankruptcy attorney is to make sure he/she has sufficient experience in the field. He/she should have at least a few years of experience in the field of handling bankruptcy cases. Most of the times, people hire an attorney who does not handle bankruptcy cases on regular basis, so they end up regretting their decision afterward. It is not a good decision to hire a rookie just because he/she is offering a better price, because an inexperienced attorney might not be able to efficiently handle the case and in fact, could put you into more trouble.

2. Communication Skills

Unclear communication is one of the most frustrating experiences for a bankruptcy attorney and a client alike. It is important that you hire the services of an attorney who has good communication skills because when he/she does not communicate with you about what will be done during the bankruptcy process, you could end up being surprised, and may even feel deceived. You can avoid this by having clear and open discussions about what you want out of the bankruptcy process. If an attorney does not completely understand your objectives, then it is recommended that you look for another.

3. Knowledge and Resources

Hiring a brand new bankruptcy attorney is not recommended. Hire the best, if you can afford someone more established. When you are hiring a bankruptcy attorney, you are not just hiring him/her to represent you, you are hiring him/her for their resources, knowledge, and professional network. It could be that one of the professional contacts of your bankruptcy lawyer ends up playing a big role in your case.

4. Consumer Reviews

Read the consumer reviews before hiring an attorney. See what other clients are saying about your potential hire. While you can’t always assess the attorney or law firm on the basis of their internet reputation, it still helps to know whether they have a good or bad track record. Furthermore, when such information is easily accessible, not looking into consumer reviews before hiring a lawyer would be foolish.

5. Straightforward Pricing

While the costs of legal proceedings depend on several different factors, you should be able to easily get a pretty good idea of what an attorney is going to cost you. If an attorney is not providing you this information clearly, you may want to look elsewhere for a different lawyer.

In conclusion, keeping the above mentioned things in mind can make an average experience an extraordinary one. It is recommended that you hire a bankruptcy attorney after considering all of these factors.

The Travis Law Firm provides professional legal representation for Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 bankruptcy services for residents of all cities in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. We have offices in Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville, Temecula, Cathedral City and Ontario for the convenience of our Inland Empire, High Desert, and Coachella Valley clients. For more information about our bankruptcy law services and other legal representation, call us today at (951) 274-9501 or (951) 274-9501.