I don’t work for free, at least not often. After all, my kids have to eat too. That said, you’re looking at filing bankruptcy because you don’t have much money, or any at all. So…What can I (a bankruptcy lawyer) do for you?
Lots of people think I’m just a paper pusher. Don’t get me wrong, I do handle lots of documents but that’s missing the forest for the trees. So besides pushing paper, what does a bankruptcy lawyer do for you?
Assessment
As a bankruptcy attorney, it’s my job to determine whether or not bankruptcy is right for you. Some lawyers will always say bankruptcy is right.
That’s because they want your money and don’t really care about you. While I want to earn your business, I also need to sleep at night.
The fact is, Bankruptcy won’t help everyone and if you’re one of those people, I’ll be honest with you. I’d rather not have your money than lie to you to make a quick buck.
Beyond the issue of ,”is bankruptcy right” there’s also the issue of timing.
Is it the right time or should I wait a few months?
Should I file with or without my spouse?
Is Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 going to be my best bet?
How will my bankruptcy affect my family and business associates?
None of these so called forms can make those kinds of determinations, that’s where I come in.
Avoidance
A good bankruptcy lawyer helps you avoid mistakes, sometimes big ones, when you’re completing your petition.
Ill founded assumptions and bad choices can cause significant harm to your financial situation. Got equity in your house you want to keep? Better not file Chapter 7. Get nuanced things like this wrong and suddenly you’re in over your head and face losing your assets.
Speaking of assets, if you get the exemptions wrong, you may give up more than you have to, especially if you’ve moved recently.
After you file, you have to provide paperwork like tax returns, pay stubs and other forms to the trustee. Most of the trustees all have certain ways they want things submitted.
Whiff on any of these and your case may be dismissed.
Understanding
Bankruptcy can be a challenging process and is fraught with potential landmines. I’m here to explain how it works, what happens and how it will affect you.
Bankruptcy is stressful without having to worry about what happens when you go to court and how the trustee will administer your case.
A good bankruptcy attorney is able to anticipate what’s going to happen and explain the process to you in a way that makes you feel comfortable.
Finish the Drill
Filing for bankruptcy is the easy part. It’s the rest that starts to get hairy. If you left a creditor off your bankruptcy or forgot to disclose an asset we can help.
We are there to make sure your filing fees get paid and that the right people get served with notice of the bankruptcy in a timely manner.
We are here to make sure that liens that can be wiped out get wiped out. That’s a lot more complicated than just picking up the phone to let the lienholder know you’ve filed…and beyond that, there are no forms for stripping liens.
Are you trying to keep your car? I can walk you through the positives and negatives. Do you go the redemption route, reaffirm your existing loan or just surrender your car.
What happens if you don’t remember to complete your paperwork at the end. There’s more than just filing the paperwork at the beginning. You have to complete debtor education courses and other paperwork at the end.
We’re even here for you after the fact. What happens when an old creditor tries to come back and collect after the bankruptcy is over?
I’m here for you from the day you file until your case is complete and then beyond. It may sound like a lot to pay an attorney to file your case, but I’m more than just a paper jockey. We add real, lasting value to what’s likely to be the biggest financial decision you ever make outside of buying a home.
Call us today to discuss.