5 Tips to Hiring the Right Bankruptcy Attorney

Let’s face it! People don’t file bankruptcy unless they have to, and what’s worse than declaring bankruptcy? Hiring the wrong bankruptcy attorney for your bankruptcy filing!

With so many consumers facing financial troubles these days, it’s no surprise bankruptcy lawyers operating chapter 7 bankruptcy mills are popping up throughout California. These mill operations are offering cut rate services and you’re lucky if a bankruptcy attorney even looks at your file let alone being able to speak with one. When a person is considering filing bankruptcy they are definitely going through an emotional time. Many times their home and their family is involved so getting the right financial advice from the right bankruptcy attorney is critical to achieve the best possible outcome from their bankruptcy filing. “I have seen cases where people have shown up at their bankruptcy hearing and have never even met or spoken to their bankruptcy attorney, or worse yet, the client’s attorney no-show’s,” says bankruptcy attorney James D. Zhou, senior partner at the Law Offices of Zhou & Chini, a California-based law firm that focuses on debt relief and criminal/DUI law.

No one wants to hire an incompetent lawyer and certainly not one for a bankruptcy or criminal matter. What’s worse is no lawyer at all, and that’s what we are seeing these days with some bankruptcy law firms offering low bankruptcy fees and trying to do a large volume of bankruptcy filings. For this reason as well many others we are offering some good tips to locate and hire the right bankruptcy attorney.

How to Hire the Right Bankruptcy Attorney: What Should I Look For?

There are several key things to look for when selecting a bankruptcy attorney. We have listed the top 5 things we think you should consider when selecting an attorney to handle your bankruptcy filing.

1. Experience

Consumers should select an attorney that has at least 5 years of bankruptcy filings under their belt. This way they have full knowledge of state bankruptcy exemptions and the bankruptcy courts and bankruptcy trustees in their district.

2. Credentials

Not only should your bankruptcy attorney be in good standing with the state bar, they should also be certified by one or all of the following; the American Bankruptcy Institute or who are members of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA). Members of NACBA are bankruptcy attorneys who are probably current with any changes to the bankruptcy law.

3. Case Load

While it’s important to hire a bankruptcy lawyer who’s not only competent and has the experience to properly advise you with your bankruptcy options, your bankruptcy attorneys case load should not be so high that they have no time to answer your questions about filing bankruptcy.

4. Law Firm

 Bankruptcy lawyers often rely on paralegal’s as well as other staff to assist them with filing bankruptcy as well as other facets surrounding your case. For this reason it is important to consider the law firm in its entirety. Your bankruptcy attorney’s staff should be knowledgeable, courteous and professional with a full understanding of bankruptcy law.

5. Convenience

By all means chose an attorney that is reasonably close to you. While you may not locate a bankruptcy attorney right next to your local supermarket you can certainly find one within 10 miles from your home. Most good bankruptcy lawyers will offer you a free consultation either in person or over the phone. You bankruptcy attorneys office should be close enough for you to be able to drop off required documents for filing your bankruptcy or another consultation if needed.

Not only should your bankruptcy attorney be reputable, convenient, and have the experience necessary to properly file your bankruptcy, but you should feel comfortable speaking with them. Make sure you contact a few bankruptcy law firms when choosing a bankruptcy attorney, check with the state bar and the BBB to make sure there are no complaints. Additionally, don’t necessarily look to hire the cheapest lawyer to handle your bankruptcy filing. Find a law firm that offers reasonable fees, and a bankruptcy attorney that makes you feel comfortable filing bankruptcy. The Law Offices of Zhou & Chini has over 10 locations throughout California and bankruptcy attorney James D. Zhou has over 10 years of bankruptcy filing experience.