attorney fees

I've read on this site and in several other places that some atty's include their fees in the Chap 13 BK. Is this true? If so, is it the norm?

When you have your free consults, this is a question you might want to ask.

It's a negotiating point. ;^)

Depends on the attorney and the States Bk Laws. I'm in the state of Virginia, my attorney said the rest of the fee in which I owed him a remaining balance of $1000, could be paid back through my Ch13.

Best of Luck, Catchmeifyoucan

We are in Ch 13. We paid our lawyer about a third of his fee before filing, and the rest of his fee is included in our Ch 13 plan. He'll be paid every month by our trustee until his fee is completely paid.

This approach is very common. Each of the four bankruptcy attorneys we spoke with during our free consultations about filing Ch 13 intended to do this same thing.

I'sure hope the atty's I speak will do the same. I don't know what the laws are here in Florida. And by the way, I called 6 attys and all but one wanted $125 to chat. What's up with that?

Some attnys have gone to charging for the Consultation. Then, if you decide to hire them, the Consultation fee is deducted from your BK attny's fee.

Think about it tho,............ You go for a Consultation. Ask a bunch of questions. Get some good, free info. The attny normally charges $300. $350, $400/billable hour of service.

Most Consultations are a minimum half hour. Many last an hour or longer. Time the attny has potentially wasted with you if you do not retain their services.

It's like asking a doctor to diagnose a medical problem, or a mechanic to diagnose your car for free.

Attnys are just trying to protect their own interests. Speak with people seriously interested in filing BK. Not wasting time chatting with "Lookie Lou's" so to speak.

It's a growing trend. Charging for Consultations.

Maybe check BK attnys in neighboring towns that file in your same Court. See if their procedures are the same.

I made an appt with 1 free and 1 paid. So lets see what each has to say. Yes, they did say the $125 goes towards the fees. The atty that charges is one that was referred to me by a couple of friends that have used him in the past. Both were pleased with him and said he knows his stuff.