Newbie with questions?

[kdcforlife]

Goove evening all, I am new to the board. I ran across this website while searching for BK information in the state of MD. I am in the process of securing a lawyer to begin filing my C7. Is there anything that I should look for in particular in a lawyer? What can I expect to be a reasonable fee? Are judgements included in BK? Sorry for so many questions in my first post!

TIA

KDC

[PaKettle]

For a simple non-business chapter 7 bk it can range from $700 to 1500 including filing fees or sometimes you pay those on top of the quoted fee. And you have to pay for credit counseling before and after your 341 "meeting" with the Trustee.

Look for an attorney recommended by others who filed Ch. 7 with him. If you can't get a recommendation, interview (free consultation) with at least 3 or 4 and choose one who does at least 20 cases a year, preferably one who does mostly bankruptcy, one who seems to know his stuff, one who promises to answer questions you may have in a timely manner, and one who does the paperwork himself or at least reviews it himself (preferably the former).

Choose one who seems well organized and detail oriented.

Choose one you feel comfortable with.

If one says you don't qualify for a Ch. 7, try another one. Ask how you might be able to make yourself qualify for a Ch. 7 if you wait or change circumstances...

Good luck!
Try nacba.com if you can't get a good recommendation.

[lrprn]

Here are some excellent (and accurate!) online resources on how to select a good bk lawyer:

http://bankruptcy.lawyers.com/Bankruptcy-Selecting-a-Good-Lawyer.html

http://moranlaw.net/selecting.htm

http://moranlaw.net/specialists.htm

And here are more on how to prepare for and conduct an interview with a potential bk lawyer before deciding to retain him/her:

http://bankruptcy.lawyers.com/Bankruptcy-Preparing-to-Meet-with-a-Lawyer.html

http://bankruptcy.lawyers.com/Preparing-to-Meet-with-a-Bankruptcy-Lawyer.html

http://bankruptcy.lawyers.com/Bankruptcy-Meeting-with-a-Lawyer.html

http://moranlaw.net/interview.html

It's best to interview 3-4 potential candidates before deciding on one. You'll get a feel for how you can work together and how knowledgeable the lawyer is compared to the others you are interviewing. This is one of the most important decisions you will ever make - don't panic and choose the first one you talk with! Take the time to go over your questions and concerns about your specific case. Write down the answers - that really helps remember who said what during which interview.

Good luck! Be sure to let us know how your search is going (without mentioning names though )

[Cali]

The filing fee would depend on the attorney. Some pay a small fee for C7 attorney and others pay more.

[kdcforlife]

Thank you for your kind replies. I met with two attorneys today, and I decided who to go with. He was the more expensive choice (1900+299), but I got the best feel from him. He came highly recommended and has been doing BKs for 28 years. He was late to our appt. because he had the 341s today in Greenbelt (Md). I left his office feeling so relieved. I didn't have the full payment in to him today, but when I receive my stimulus check, I will pay the balance. Money may be tight for a few weeks, but getting rid of the debt will make it all worthwhile. I was really impressed that he gave me his cell number, incase that I had any other questions. He called it his BK line, but that it puts his clients at ease. I cannot wait to file!!!

[deafbroke]

When you pick an attorney they will have a list of qualified credit counceling sources for you to take the pre-filing course through if they themselves are not certified credit counselers.

Also you will have to have your attorney paid in full before they will actually file the chapter 7 for you. Some will allow payment plans but you wil lstill need them paid off before they will file. Check around with several lawyers. Their fees can vary quite a bit.

good luck
DB

[kdcforlife]

When you pick an attorney they will have a list of qualified credit counceling sources for you to take the pre-filing course through if they themselves are not certified credit counselers.

Also you will have to have your attorney paid in full before they will actually file the chapter 7 for you. Some will allow payment plans but you wil lstill need them paid off before they will file. Check around with several lawyers. Their fees can vary quite a bit.

good luck
DB

Thanks. He gave me the number for credit counseling. He does allow a payment plan, but I should have him paid in a month so we gan get this show on the road!!