Everyones opinions on getting a consult with a paralegal instead of an attorney?

[optimistic1]

So I made yet again another consultation.

One of my first questions to the firm is, is my appointment with an attorney?

This particular lawfirm stated, no, it will be with a paralegal.

Is it just me, or is something wrong with that?

I personally disagree with that.

[MJJ3767]

I totally agree with you. If i am paying for an attorney, I want to be able to speak to an attorney and not a paralegal. While searching for an attorney I found many of these "cattle farm" BK firms. They use paralegal's for 90% of the work and you rarely get to speak directly to an attorney. On the other hand, I can understand why so many attorneys are using their paralegal's for the "free consultation." They would be doing nothing with their time but free consultations. Another thing I saw while at my 341 meeting were people meeting their attorneys for the FIRST time! Obviously, these people use a larger law firm with very impersonal service. That's why I gave you the name of the attorney I used. As you found out when you called him, he answered the phone personally and that is the way it was every single time I called his office. I never ever spoke to anyone else but him.

[optimistic1]

The only problem that I have with going with a SOLO attorney, is, what happens if they die or get sick and I need them for some reason?

Thats why I am going with a firm, but the they cant act like a cattle farm, or I will retain elsewhere.

[MJJ3767]

I guess I never gave much thought to the health of my attorney when I filed. Honestly, his health was the last thing on my mind when filing and I am not going to spend the next 57 months worrying about it.

[BrokeInTN]

Dude, do you plan on asking for a statement of clean health from every attorney you interview? Your're being way too neurotic about finding an attorney. Just find one and be done with it.

[endisnear]

Our atty answers his own calls and does everything himself.

[PoorGrammyinBK7]

Well paralegals are not supposed to give legal advice, so I would wonder about that. In my experience, we consulted with the attorney first - then the paralegal took over and helped us with paperwork. But that has to be signed off by the atty.

[optimistic1]

BrokeinTN, your statement is irrelevant to the topic in this thread, please refrain from being a jerk.

And Congrats on your very first ridiculing post, dude.

I like to think about what happens if my attorney dies in a car accident, or anything else for that matter.

Considering the fact that he would be representing me for the next 3 to 5 years.

I have read posts on here about peoples attorneys that have past away, good luck to them and good luck to anyone else.

This is my choice about NOT hiring a SOLO attorney, that is why I am going with a firm with atleast more than one attorney.

GOOD DAY!

[endisnear]

I have read posts on here about peoples attorneys that have past away, good luck to them and good luck to anyone else.

This is my choice about NOT hiring a SOLO attorney, that is why I am going with a firm with atleast more than one attorney.

GOOD DAY!

I have read that as well, a lot can happen in 5 years! We are filing C7 in March so I think my atty will be good for the next few months....but if we were to go C13, i think i'd def look into a firm, or at least an atty with a partner....you just never know what the next day will bring!

As for your original post, I'd rather have a consult with the actual atty, then once retained direct questions and submit paperwork to the paralegal.

[optimistic1]

Endisnear,
Thanks, glad to see that I am just not paranoid, I like to think ahead, rather than just file it and think everything will just be peachy.



MJJ3767,
No doubt, that is they way I see it, but I do see how they just cant sit there all day doing consults. But, I have had many consults, and some really do the consults, I think it says alot about their approach.

[Trixie007]

BrokeinTN, your statement is irrelevant to the topic in this thread, please refrain from being a jerk.

And Congrats on your very first ridiculing post, dude.

Well said - I was cracking up reading that!

[mynameainttracy]

When we had our first appointment it was with a paralegal. Her sole job was initial consults. We never even spoke to our attorney until the final paperwork was being done. The firm had an excellent reputation and that's why I made the appointment in the first place. We are extremely happy with how our case turned out and no, I didn't meet my attorney face to face until the 341 but we did talk on the phone a considerable amount.

The firm I used would probably be considered a cattle farm but they did so many cases that they knew the trustee inside out and it worked to our advantage.

[optimistic1]

When we had our first appointment it was with a paralegal. Her sole job was initial consults. We never even spoke to our attorney until the final paperwork was being done. The firm had an excellent reputation and that's why I made the appointment in the first place. We are extremely happy with how our case turned out and no, I didn't meet my attorney face to face until the 341 but we did talk on the phone a considerable amount.

The firm I used would probably be considered a cattle farm but they did so many cases that they knew the trustee inside out and it worked to our advantage.

They did call the paralegal the "EXPERT", and after all, they are most likely the ones filling out all of the schedules anyway. I just dont like the idea, but I will see, I am still going to the consult, however, I am backed with superior knowledge of how the BK process now works, thanks to so many individuals from this forum, and the NOLO Chapter 13 book. So he better be minding his p's and q's, because I will catch his mistakes.

[mynameainttracy]

The paralegal we met with had recently gone through a ch 13 herself. I was actually more at ease with her because an attorney would have been intimidating to me at that point. I had not discovered this website at that time and was very scared of everything.

[optimistic1]

Well said - I was cracking up reading that!

Glad to bring a smile to your face, and that you agree.
I mean, really, your gonna slam me on your very first post?