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January 11, 2022
If you need to file for bankruptcy, you should look at hiring a bankruptcy attorney to help you. If your case is simple, you might be able to file for bankruptcy yourself. However, hiring the right attorney can make this easier and is recommended if you have a more complicated case.
When it comes to choosing a bankruptcy attorney, you have to look at the experience that they have. Years of practice are not the only factor that you should consider when it comes to experience. In fact, when looking at a bankruptcy attorney, years of experience may not be the best indicator.
What you need to look for is experience with the type of bankruptcy that you are going to be filing. If the attorney you want to work with deals primarily with Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they might not be able to help with Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Attorneys that deal with certain types of bankruptcy only will often push their clients in that direction even if it is not the best option for them.
While experience is important, you also need to look at the competency of the attorney. This can often be harder to determine than other factors that you consider but is just as important. After all, you do not want to hire an attorney that has years of experience but does not actually do a good job.
The best way to determine competency is to first read any available client testimonials and then talk to past clients. You can generally ask the attorney for referrals from former clients and they should be happy to provide this. If you do this, you have to take the time to contact these people to find out more about the service that the attorney offers.
Another option is to contact the local bar association. A competent bankruptcy attorney like The Law Office of Rodney K Okano has a good standing with the bar association and will not have any formal complaints against them. You should avoid working with any attorney that has formal complaints against them or that the bar association would not readily recommend.
Before you even make an appointment to see the attorney, you will need to find out more about their fee structure. When filing for bankruptcy, you might want to look for the cheapest attorney, but this is not always a good idea. Cheaper attorneys might be cutting corners or running a bankruptcy mill where they churn out paperwork without giving your case the attention that it needs.
However, this does not mean that an expensive attorney is the best option either. You might be paying extra for the name of the firm or the overall reputation that they have. This is why you need to take the time to shop around your local area and see what each attorney has to offer.
When it comes to hiring a bankruptcy attorney, there are a number of factors that you have to consider. Experience and competency are vital as you want to have the best representation. Cost is also important, but it should be weighed with the other factors and not used as the sole determination.
Mr. Cianchetta is an OUTSTANDING attorney. I was a little nervous about seeing an attorney for my case. Mr. Cianchetta and his staff made my wife and I feel right at ease. He took extra time explaining what to expect before, during and after our process. His advice was right on!
- Jack M.
