Filing for bankruptcy is a stressful process and you need to have the right support as you go through it. The process and the technicalities can be really complicated which is why you need a reliable and competent attorney on your side. While there are many lawyers offering legal services for matters such as bankruptcy, careful selection must be done before hiring one. Your hired attorney must put your best interests first and must help you get the most out of it. If you want an experienced attorney with a proven track record, you can call a Houston law office and they can immediately give you one.
How do you select the right bankruptcy attorney? Here are some tips:
1. Look for Those with Considerable Experience in Bankruptcy Cases
You don’t need just any lawyer, you need one with a proven success record in handling bankruptcy cases. There may be law firms offering attorneys that are new to bankruptcy cases and they can get away with it just because they have some experience. Make sure that the attorney of your choice can fill you in with everything that you need to know about filing bankruptcy and is highly familiar with the processes involved.
2. Weigh Different Types of Law Firms
Law firms are not created equal and they vary in size. Weigh the pros and cons of hiring a lawyer from a small firm versus hiring someone from a big firm. Big firms offer many lawyers, associates, and paralegals but they may charge higher fees or you may be given an attorney that is overworked. Small firms offer services that will really see you through the process, but then you may run the chances of getting a less experienced one. Make sure to consider a number of law firms and compare them.
3. Get Recommendations from Family and Friends
Chances are, you may have family or friends that have gone through the same process as you are about to go through. Ask them for recommendations of a good bankruptcy lawyer that they have worked with or if they know someone who has a good reputation and experience in handling bankruptcy cases.
4. Contact Your State Bar Association
Before hiring someone, make sure to contact your State Bar Association to check in on the lawyers you are looking to hire. They have a list of the qualified practicing local, top rated bankruptcy attorneys and they have a list of complaints that you might want to clear out first.
5. Take Advantage of Free Consultations
Some experienced attorneys offer free consultations. If you happen to find one, there is no harm in trying it out. Through this, you may even get an insight about the process and your situation or you may just find the lawyer that you are looking for.
The skill of your lawyer and the quality of the legal service that you get is very important in filing for bankruptcy. This is why you need to make an informed or critical choice.