How To Choose The Best Fort Collins Bankruptcy Lawyer For You

So, you’re in deep financial trouble. Behind on mortgage, car and student loan payments. Already maxed out six credit cards and headed that way on the seventh. Finally got another job, but the salary is 20% less than what you were making when you already were in trouble.
There is a layer of anxiety wrapped around you every day feels like a belt. All you want to do is scream: “H-E-L-P!”
Fortunately, there is good news. You have a shot at a new life by filing for bankruptcy and you might not even have to lose your home or car.
All that’s required is successfully choosing a bankruptcy lawyer capable of getting you out of this miserable situation.
Just knowing you’re in too deep to manage things yourself is an impressive first step. Bankruptcy courts groan under the weight of desperate debtors who tried to represent themselves. Bankruptcy law is complicated and exacting. Many self-represented filers wind up worse off than they were before, losing their possessions without discharging any of their debts.
Bankruptcy judges have a term for such situations, says Tampa-based Bankruptcy Judge Catherine Peek McEwen. “We call it ‘a mess.’ ”
Nobody wants that.

Starting Point for Choosing a Bankruptcy Lawyer

Choosing a bankruptcy lawyer is essentially a two-step process: Begin by finding and vetting likely candidates. Complete the mission by interviewing the handful that meet your criteria, then retain the one that feels the most compatible.
The internet abounds with websites that help with finding and vetting, but old-fashioned methods are useful. Ask neighbors. Ask friends and relatives. (Yes, you have to swallow your pride.) Perhaps there are lawyers on your homeowner’s association board. There surely are lawyers on the board of your church. Ask all of them for recommendations.
Next step should be to visit websites like the American Bar Association (findlegalhelp.org), Legal Services Corporation (LSC.gov), and the federal court system (uscourts.gov). Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell are reliable ratings services.
The state and local bar associations are also good resources; simply enter your state or city and the terms, “bar association” and “bankruptcy attorney” into your favorite search engine.
debt.org

It Helps to Hire a Bankruptcy Specialist

Now, start the vetting process. Many sites — not just Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell — include starred peer ratings, and, like Amazon, allow searches based on numbers of stars. At Martindale-Hubbell, pay particular attention to lawyers whose pictures bear small red hexagonal signs with “AV” in the center. That is their most distinguished rating.
A caveat: Be wary of four-star lawyers who have only a handful of reviews; they might all have come from teammates on his (or her) softball team.
In all likelihood, you’ll want to hire a lawyer who specializes in bankruptcy. Though the last major revision to bankruptcy law was passed in 2005, interpretations of the law are constant.
“You might read a phrase in the statute and think it’s cut-and-dried,” Judge Peek McEwen says, but it’s not necessarily so. Only specialists can be counted on to know the latest rulings from circuit courts all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court, and how those rulings apply to clients.
It’s a very good sign if the specialist attorney belongs to the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (nacba.org), which keeps them on the cutting-edge of relevant rulings.
Investigate whether your candidate attorneys are certified, which, according to the American Board of Certification (abcworld.org), “means that the certified attorney has met rigorous, objective standards and has demonstrated knowledge in bankruptcy and/or creditors' rights law.”
What else? Have they published articles in professional journals? Are they in demand as speakers at bankruptcy conferences? Both indicate attorneys recognized as experts by their peers.
Finally, investigate the lawyers’ histories of ethics complaints. The state bar’s website usually is a good source for such information.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time for interviews. Schedule at least three for comparison purposes. Also, don’t be put off by a strong candidate who charges a small consultation fee. Usually that fee can be rolled over against your bill if you and the attorney decide you’re a match.
Before you go, make sure you know what the lawyer needs you to bring to properly assess your circumstances.

What Should You Ask a Bankruptcy Lawyer?

When you interview a bankruptcy lawyer, you want to be confident about their competency and comfortable that they care about solving your problem. Here are some questions that should help you arrive at both.

• Begin by establishing whether the lawyer thinks you’re a qualified candidate for bankruptcy, and if so, which variety, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
• Find out how many bankruptcies they’ve done, and what types?
• How large is the lawyer’s practice, or affiliate firm? Single-proprietor and boutique firms might provide a personal touch, but larger firms offer more resources. The one you choose may depend on how complex your case is.
• How quickly do they return calls? What is their policy about charging for calls?
• How hands-on will the attorney be? Will (s)he file all your paperwork? Will (s)he accompany you to court?

Remember, you’re looking for someone who is devoted to helping people get back on their feet. When the interview is complete, jot your thoughts in a journal, or tap them into your smartphone.

Ask these questions yourself:

• Did the lawyer listen?
• Did the lawyer strike you as trustworthy?

How to find the best bankruptcy lawyer in Fort Collins for your needs

If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, getting a referral from someone you trust may be a good way to find an attorney to represent you. Your friends and acquaintances may know more about your specific situation and needs, and could even have firsthand experience to draw on.
But not everyone has this option. If you can’t get a recommendation from someone you know, here are a few other options to consider.

• Legal aid: Legal aid offices provide free legal advice to low-income individuals. If you qualify, they may choose to represent you for free.
• National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys: The NACBA is a professional trade association for bankruptcy attorneys who represent individuals. You can search the organization’s member directory to find an attorney near you.
• National Association of Consumer Advocates: The NACA is an organization that advocates for consumers on a range of issues, including bankruptcy.
• Online directories: A variety of online resources list lawyers and law firms by location and by specialty. Examples include NOLO, lawyers.com, Avvo and LegalZoom. A lawyer’s appearance in one of these directories is not an endorsement of their legal abilities, though some resources include peer and client reviews.
• Your state bar association: These groups can help connect you with a local lawyer who specializes in bankruptcy.

Qualities you should look for in a top bankruptcy attorney in fort collins

When hiring a lawyer for bankruptcy proceedings, it’s important to choose someone who’s experienced in that area of the law. That suggestion might seem obvious, but the attorney’s base of knowledge can make a meaningful difference in your case.
According to Morgan, working with an attorney who regularly practices in the geographic area where you’re filing is essential. Otherwise, the lawyer may not be familiar with the details of that particular bankruptcy court. Morgan recommends looking for someone who’s regularly filing two to five cases a month in that jurisdiction.
But just knowing the law isn’t enough.
“I tell all of my clients you want to be very comfortable with your bankruptcy attorney,” Morgan says. “You need to be able to communicate freely.”
A lack of openness could cause problems during the bankruptcy process, she says.

5 questions to ask when vetting candidates

Many bankruptcy attorneys offer free consultations, so it makes sense to use that opportunity to find a lawyer you’re comfortable with.
When you take those meetings, it’s important to be prepared. Here’s a list of some of the questions you may want to ask to help evaluate an attorney.

1. Do you specialize in bankruptcy? Bankruptcy laws are complicated, so it’s important to make sure you’re working with a professional who understands the most-minute details of the law and how it may impact you. You may want to avoid working with an attorney who has little or no bankruptcy experience.

2. How many bankruptcy cases do you file each year? Morgan suggests working with a lawyer who’s filing two to five cases every month, or roughly 50 per year. 

3. Who’s going to be handling my case? Morgan doesn’t recommend having a paralegal be your primary point of contact. Because there’s so much at stake, it’s essential that your lawyer works with you from the beginning and knows the ins and outs of your financial situation. If you won’t be meeting with your attorney until the meeting of creditors, you may want to find someone else to work with. 

4. What is your fee structure? Many bankruptcy attorneys are willing to work with their clients to set up payment plans, but even so, full payment may be required before filing. 

5. What’s included in your fee? In general, attorney fees cover …

• Determining whether you qualify for bankruptcy
• Putting together and reviewing your bankruptcy petition
• Representing you at the meeting of creditors
• Filing the necessary documents

You’ll also want to ask if any services are excluded from the fee, or if additional services are included. For example, Morgan works with clients to clear up post-bankruptcy problems with their credit reports.creditkarma.com