Is this CA BK attorney's fee the norm?

[jktrading]

I am in Southern CA.

Cut and paste from his website:

"What does it cost? The cost does depend on the level of complication of your case. A few expenses that you cannot get away from are the filing fees with the Court, educational classes, and a credit report. The rough costs of those expenses are $500.00. The attorney fees at our office range from $1,950.00 to $4,500. Fortunately we have a free consultation so we can quote your case at that time."

Seems a little high don't you think? I have yet to visit these attorneys in my area. I'm probably really complicated too, since I have my business and personal cc debt all tied together. Between my DW and I, we are in over 125K in total debt. I completely qualify for C7 in my state, well below median.

I currently have $1500 in my savings towards an attorney, and I thought that may be enough. If it's like the above attorney around here, I better start a larger nest egg?

His site seems a bit outdated as well, as he describes, "The Code allows you to keep many items of personal property. You may keep your TV but not the top of line plasma. You can keep a car, not a brand new BMW that is paid off."

Well, now adays a 2 year old top of the line plasma can go for under the $525.00 appliance section and have no problem being exempted from what I'm reading.

Anyway, I know I have to visit these attorneys, but am trying to make it past September if at all possible. I quit using all cc's in late March, and made about 30K of charges to try and get my business making money, and I am making a good profit, but not like I wanted and hoped for.

[JRScott]

I'm not sure in CA, I'm in NC I spent around 1800 in all counting the debtor education classes, so what he's quoting might be normal in CA.

[Flamingo]

Give you something to compare your fees to so that you see they are within the norm. In 2002, we spent $1,800 plus the filing fee (around $250) for a five year Chapter 13 with a top BK attorney (old law). Then comes the new law in 10/05 which increases BK work tremendously for the attorney and they all raise their fees (many attorneys even quit doing BKs due to all the changes and additional workload). It is now 2008 - Your Chapter 7 fees quoted are within normal range and you do get what you pay for. If you pay bargain basement, you will get bargain basement.

[PaKettle]

Yes, those fees are high. I found the average was around $1400 here in SoCal.
Although one woman who is all over the net did ask for over $2k. I "just said no".
I ended up paying around $1300-1400 though my attorney was not stellar, as it turned out. But then again my 2nd choice was only charging $1000, but he had only a couple years experience and did divorces too so I didn't go with him. As it turned out, he probably would have been a better choice.

I think unless you have a business or some complication to your bk, then you should not spend over $1700 and can probably find someone for around $1300. But don't let money be your only deciding factor. If an attorney charges a couple hundred more but seems really good, go with him/her!

[Cali]

I am in SoCal and I am filing C7. The attorney fees we paid were 2050$, which included credit counseling courses.

[msndsy]

Sounds high. We paid $883 for everything, attorney fee's, filing fee's and credit counseling.

[Cali]

And you are in what part of CA?

Sounds high. We paid $883 for everything, attorney fee's, filing fee's and credit counseling.

[epiphany]

My costs (CA) are 1754 inclusive of everything thus far (retainer/filing fee/cc course) but I am no asset and my lawyer showed a little mercy on me. However, if a creditor objects, and I want him to fight it, there will be additional fees. I will cross that bridge when and if I come to it.

Um, and, well, I have never heard an attorney say you can't keep specifically this or specifically that...you can keep whatever you want up to the amount that your state laws exempt. Prolly' won't cover that Beemer though.

A lot of your cost will depend on the complications of your case but I wouldn't rely soley on one quote from one lawyer on one website.

Shop around and good luck.

ep

[jktrading]

Thanks everyone, yes I have to shop around and balance cost, experience, good feelings I get with these attorneys. How fun that will be. Just trying to hang on till Octoberish before filing, and keep paying minimums on those cc's I'm not using since I charged up a 30K storm in March to save my business.

I'm actually still holding out a little hope that my items will sell what I stocked up on at a huge profit and pay everyone off completely. However, reality may be a bit different. Anyway, it's looking like I should save up some more cash than $1,500, so I'd better get busy.

[Cali]

Good luck to you!!

Thanks everyone, yes I have to shop around and balance cost, experience, good feelings I get with these attorneys. How fun that will be. Just trying to hang on till Octoberish before filing, and keep paying minimums on those cc's I'm not using since I charged up a 30K storm in March to save my business.

I'm actually still holding out a little hope that my items will sell what I stocked up on at a huge profit and pay everyone off completely. However, reality may be a bit different. Anyway, it's looking like I should save up some more cash than $1,500, so I'd better get busy.

[PaKettle]

Definitely be honest about the $30k you racked up in March for your business. Sounds like that could be a bit sticky... so give your attorneys all the facts, and have several consultations. I had 5 or 6 consults. Just try to make each one think it's your first, more or less -that is, you don't have to tell each one that you have had several other consults.

The reason I had so many was that I did not like any of them. Then in the end I made the wrong choice anyway! But it all worked out!

[jktrading]

Definitely be honest about the $30k you racked up in March for your business. Sounds like that could be a bit sticky... so give your attorneys all the facts, and have several consultations. I had 5 or 6 consults. Just try to make each one think it's your first, more or less -that is, you don't have to tell each one that you have had several other consults.

The reason I had so many was that I did not like any of them. Then in the end I made the wrong choice anyway! But it all worked out!

Thanks for the advice, I know I have some attorney shopping to do. I honestly did the 30K charge in a month to jump start my business, and a lot those funds are all going back into the cc's anyway on the $2400 a month minimums I'm currently paying. I still have to get my income up to help support my family after we stopped using the cc's in March. That cc use surely did get out of control somehow.

I really got myself and DW into a pickle, but since I didn't plan to be fraudulent, and am seriously buying and selling what I charge, and also claim it on my taxes, I don't think I'll worry too much since it won't really help me to worry anyhow. I'm screwed or I'm not screwed no matter what.

I'll just have a lot of explaining to do if they ask I'm sure. Here's hoping they don't ask, but with my debt, they probably will. I hope I'm prepared for the grilling if/when it happens. I think I am, and will not hide a thing. I also hope I pick the right attorney.

I had a family attorney once, who seemed like she didn't really do much and I paid her a couple grand for that. My DW had a workers comp attorney for her carpel tunnel, and we had to light a fire under his backside by filing a state bar complaint to get him to return our calls. He sure did work real hard after that I actually didn't enjoy doing that, and don't want a repeat.

[more$moreProbs]

I'm in So Cal too and I've gone to about 5 lawyers that gave me quotes that were around the same - $2000 to $2400 and it ranged from pretty good lawyers to lawyers that sounded like they didn't care less about what I had to ask.

I am filing for ch13 with a business that I started in Nov 07 (no profits at all).

[Cali]

I thought C13 was more expensive than C7.

I'm in So Cal too and I've gone to about 5 lawyers that gave me quotes that were around the same - $2000 to $2400 and it ranged from pretty good lawyers to lawyers that sounded like they didn't care less about what I had to ask.

I am filing for ch13 with a business that I started in Nov 07 (no profits at all).

[woodj]

I'm in Louisiana. I've been to one lawyer so far. Cost was as follows.
CH7 - $950 + court cost
CH13 - $3,000 + court cost