By Ryan C. Wood
It is actually very simple to find a reputable bankruptcy attorney in the Bay Area if you take the time. We truly want our prospective clients to speak with other attorneys, preferably before they speak with us. The best thing someone can do for us is speak to other bankruptcy attorneys to find out firsthand how superior our services are from start to finish. If you follow the approach below we are confident you will find the right law firm and person to represent you, even if it is not us. Although, the best thing to do is obtain a referral from a friend, colleague or family member. We know this is a difficult thing to discuss sometimes, but going through this process with an attorney that has already done right by someone you know is priceless.
Take the time to choose a reputable bankruptcy attorney in the Bay Area.
Talk to at least three different bankruptcy attorneys that have an office around where you live or work.
It is important to take the time to meet with at least three different law firms. How you are treated when you call and at the initial consultation will be a sign as to what is to come. If your initial consultation is not with an attorney run away. Some firms use legal assistants or paralegals that are not authorized to practice law, give legal advice or answer your legal questions. This is ethically wrong and you deserve better. After speaking with one or more law firms you will understand what filing bankruptcy requires, what your options are and know what range of attorney fees is appropriate. You should receive a breakdown of the fees. How much are for the attorney, the filing fee, the required courses and credit report. If you receive a quote around $30 per course for the required course run away. The required course for any individual filing bankruptcy should not exceed $12.95 TOTAL! If a law firm is suggesting you have to pay them $100 or more for the required courses run away. They are pocketing processing fees and not telling you. Also stay clear of anyone trying to sell you on post-bankruptcy credit repair. It is a scam, just ask the FTC by going to http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0225-credit-repair-scams and read for yourself. Only time can heal your credit woes.
Do a Google or Other Search Engine Search of the Law Firm and Attorney Name
Do a Google search of the business name and the word complaints or reviews. Do a Google search of the bankruptcy lawyer name you met with and complaints or reviews. If you look at Yelp you also need to look at the “Filtered Reviews.” There is a link towards the bottom of the Yelp page that is gray. To get the whole story you need to look at the reviews that Yelp for whatever reason chose to filter out. If there is one bad review do not be concerned. If there are a number of bad reviews you know that it is not an isolated incident, but a pattern of poor service that you do not want to pay money for.
Now Here Are the Tough Questions to Ask
How many of your Chapter 7 cases did you have to convert to a case under Chapter 13 because the United States Trustee objected? You may not receive an honest answer to this question. I can tell you as of the writing of this article none of our Chapter 7 cases have had to be converted to Chapter 13 to save the case, but that could change. This questions targets whether the attorney can properly evaluate whether you qualify to file a Chapter 7 case, or should the case be filed as a Chapter 13 to begin with.
Do you enjoy what you do, if so why? If they do not enjoy it do not retain them. Surprisingly enough this question can tell you a lot about who you give your money to. If they are just doing a job and have no passion why do you want them to represent you? You will be surprised at the responses you get. You will know the right response when you receive it.
How long does it take you to respond to my phone calls or questions? This is a good question to ask because communication is important. We return all emails and phones calls within 24 hours. The point is to make the attorney give you some sort of response to rely on. If they do not respond to you timely in the future be sure to let them know what the represented to you before you retained their services.
Will I be able to speak with an attorney after I retain your services? Amazingly this is a good question to ask. Again, you may not receive an honest answer to this question. Read the complaints and reviews and you will read that a common complaint is they were never able to speak with an attorney and had no idea who the attorney was that showed up at the 341 meeting of the creditors to represent them. I see it all the time and it is shameful.