Attorney

[klux]

I paid the attorney $274.00 for my filing fee, and next week when we sign I'll pay $400.00. then $2000.00 into plan. First question, is that in line with what everyone else pays. Second question, she doesn't respond to my phone calls or emails, do you guys have the same problem with timely responses from your laywers? She wasn't at all friendly during the consultation, didn't really let me even ask questions. I chose her because I know she has a good reputation with the trustee and other laywers (past experience).

[rrockinggramma]

my attorney fees were 500 up front and rest rolled into the plan. The 274 filing fee was included in my 500.00 But I think the fees sound reasonable (2400? plus filing) Also my attorney doesn't return my emails unless he feels it is important, which has beena couple of times. But ususally no response. LOL Just make your payments and you won't need to talk to her ever again. LOL Good luck!

[lrprn]

We paid our Ch 13 attorney a fourth of the filing fee + his fee up front and the rest in our plan. Your $2,500 fee looks right in line with the national average for "uncomplicated" Ch 13 cases (if there really is such a thing! )

Our lawyer responds to emails (our primary way of communicating), although it may take him a few days to a week. Busy bk lawyers like ours spend several days a week in court with their Ch 7 and Ch 13 cases and also are writing briefs, researching new bk case law, etc when they are in the office. They are busy!

If we think we need our lawyer to answer a question immediately (and that's only happened once so far since we filed 15 months ago), we'll call the office and see when he's available for a quick call or schedule an office visit for some face-to-face time.

[chpxiii]

I filed 06/03. My attorney fees were $2,000 that was rolled into my plan. I did not pay any money upfront that I recall.

It was, however, a weird time for me. So ...

[klux]

Yup, $2400 but $274 for filing. I don't get them not responding to emails or phone calls, I think my questions are ligitimate, such as.......will the 401K loan get included in plan, or will it continue to just come out of our paycheck, and secondly, do I pay my october payments for vehicles, or not? I think I know the answers, but just wanted her reassurance. I guess, my thought is I wonder if they think we are "lower" than them because of our financial situations. Just a thought.......That's how she made me feel.

[nervousnellie]

We had a" hoity toity" attorney too.Rushed us thru the paperwork,never explained what we were allowed to claim as far as expenses,etc.Only asked to speak to him one time after the filing concerning the hardship we were having with large medical expenses.His reply? Just keep paying (we had over a year to go.but guess what? In spite of him we finished successfully!

[sarakay5]

We paid our filing fees and credit class fee up front and $1.00 to our attorney. The remaining $3499.00 is being paid through the plan. I was told this is because our trustee does not like to see large payments to lawyers when you can't pay your creditors.

[klux]

I received a response from my email today, she said we'll discuss things more at the signing. Wouldn't one want to know the answers before signing?

[HHM]

I received a response from my email today, she said we'll discuss things more at the signing. Wouldn't one want to know the answers before signing?

That is not a bad practice, it is easier to go over things and answer questions when both you and your attorney are face to face and have the paperwork in hand.

[FeelingHopeless]

Now, this was like five years ago ... but I believe we paid $1,800 up front. We ended up spending over $500 more ... but we had issues with our Chapter 13.

First, our mortgage company wouldn't recognize the bankruptcy stay and kept sending us all sorts of foreclosure warnings and pamphlets. Then, our CU wouldn't recognize the bankruptcy stay (same CU from my other thread) and kept sending us late notices and interest/penalty notices. In both cases, a phone call didn't work. The harassment didn't stop until my attorney sent them a warning letter by certified mail.

In any case, because of our issues, we went over our $1,800 in "credit" we had on the books and ended up paying more to get the harassment to stop.

My attorney DOES return calls. I can't deny it. But ... he's not the most ... "chatty" of people. He's very "to the point" ... basically all conversations start with "What have you got for me?" and end with "Okay then." At times I wish we had a "friendly" attorney ... but, I've gotta admit ... he seems to get the job done.

Has your office ever had one of those "conflict resolution" seminars? The first thing they do is tell you to identify your communication style. After that, it's just a matter of identifying the communication style of the person you're dealing with ... and then trying to match their style so you're both on the same level.

I guess my point is that when it comes to our attorney, I'm precise ... to the point ... as little nonsense as possible. That way I don't get my feelings hurt that he's not more jovial ... and he's not annoyed that I'm wasting his time with anything non-essential. haha

[MajorMike]

we paid 674 plus $1200 into the plan. Our attorney is reasonable.

[MajorMike]

We paid our filing fees and credit class fee up front and $1.00 to our attorney. The remaining $3499.00 is being paid through the plan. I was told this is because our trustee does not like to see large payments to lawyers when you can't pay your creditors.

$3499?? MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you see a few before picking this very expensive attorney????

[sarakay5]

Sadly, no. We talked to one when we were trying to find options for our situation. Then we got served papers and we went into a panic. We talked to our current lawyer for 2.5 hours in our first meeting and we filed within 1 week. Their office handles the majority of the BKs in this area and the other one we talked to charged $3200 and you had to pay quite a bit up front.

I will say that up to this point we have had no issues with contacting our lawyer. They always call back within a short amount of time and we have met with her several times to make sure all is ok. We will see what happens when all the lawyer fees and paid up next month.

[ruggal]

I am also in Illinois, in the northern district. Our attorney charged $3500 plus fees as well. I believe right now that is the maximum amount (and therefore the standard for a 13) they can charge without a detailed billing statement.

We had a complicated case including a disolved business, and we were confirmed without a hitch. I interviewed 4 attorneys, three told me I would have to bankrupt the business first, and then file a 13. The attorney I ended up hiring said to close the business first, they'll end up sueing you anyway, and file the 13. We listed all the business debts, and ironically, only two vendors ended up filing claims. The company credit cards (personal guarantees) filed claims as well.

This advice saved me several thousand in attorney's fees, by only having to do one BK.

[ruggal]

And speaking of lawyers not returning calls...in my opinion NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Just a little funny, as I age, the filter between my brain and mouth seems to have deteriorated. In the financial management class, someone mentioned that their attorney wasn't returning their calls. Now, right before this, the instructor mentioned that you could visit the County's Bar Association upstairs, if you needed to find an attorney. Well, you should have seen the instructors face when I said. " You paid this guy a lot of money right?" "Go upstairs and file a complaint, he may return THAT call"

That poor instructor about spit out his coffee right there in class.

I just don't excuse unprofessionalism, or at least common courtesy.