Lawyer costs? Opinions please

[Mi Bankruptcy]

I had two free counseling services looking for an attorney. One atty was recommended by the state bar. The second I found through a decent law firm where a trustee is a part of the the firm. However, when I called the firm they no longer handle BK cases. They gave me a recommendation for the atty I am considering going with. Here's the prices

The first atty is $1500.00

The second atty is 750.00 ( the refferal)

The first atty
Only asked me a couple of questions and said it sounded like I was a good candidate for CH7 ( I agree). His office was messy with papers skewn everywhere. The paper work I needed to fill out had been copied so many times it was fading. He answered my questions resonably and he knew the trustee and was at conference with her in July.

The second atty (750.00)
Had a nice office and made me fill out a ton of paperwork at his office prior to meeting with him. This annoyed my wife.. However, this was what I expected from the first atty.

To retain him it costs 350.00. ( 750.00 does not include the 299.00 to file)

Internet research shows he has given seminars at the local law school about BK's. He answered some of my questions to my satisfaction he also spouted the Trustee name without thinking twice. However, I suprised him talking about PACER and he said only attys and the courts can look through PACER. ( I believe this is wrong)

The point is I meet with him next week to retain him.. Am I being paranoid about how much less he charges for his services? I have also found a couple articles in the newspaper about how him and his partner winning a couple difficult cases. Another person on this board lives near me paid 1,300.00 for their atty

The low price is the only thing that brings up flags.

I do intend to ask him why his prices are so low. When I called back I double checked the prices quoted.

Thoughts and opinions?

[magyar123]

Before you talk with him again, make sure that he gives you something in writing regarding his fee.
OR
Buy a small recorder that you can hide and record your discussion with him.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

The worse thing about this.. This is the only concern I have with him. I still don't know if he was correct about the PACER. From what I have read here he is not. He did say if I wanted to see PACER updates he would glady print them and show them to me.

[Logan]

Who cares if he didn't know you could access pacer. The only reason I knew about it was because of this site and I never once spoke to my lawyer about it. It seems trivial to me.

Logan

[woeisme]

Yes you can use PACER, I have. But it's totally unnecessary in the attorney's eyes, he thinks that if he does his work right, there's nothing for you to bother checking on there and since he's not a filer but a lawyer, probably never thought twice about external access to the site from non-professionals before. (it even says when you are on the site that it's for lawyers, so no reason he'd know Joe Shmoe would have access.)

For a CH 7, his prices seem on the low side, but if he's trying to build a client list or just likes to help people or maybe just use his BK job as a way to do research for his more highly paying seminar speaking gig. I wouldn't NOT use him just because he's lower priced if you feel he's on top of his game and your CH 7 is an easy case to boot.

[AngelinaCatHub]

It is difficult to asses a good lawyer. The messy one could be so well versed he knows where everything is and has loads of work and experience, and the cheap one could be new, organized “hungry” ergo the low price, and wishes to get a good reputation so he could do you a very good job. I paid 1500 and costs, and in my opinion, or gut feeling if you may, I would go with the cheap one. {Don’t hold it against me if wrong.} ‘Hub

[duplantisjj]

Yes, I agree with others about Pacer. It's no big deal that he doesn't know we can access it. I would never have known about it if not for this site.

Regarding his fees: I'd make double sure that he is quoting you the whole process from start to finish. Some lawyers have clauses where you pay them to file and then attend a 341, if they have to file amendments or extra meetings then that usually incurs extra lawyer fees. Just make sure you are completely clear on what his fee includes. Other than that, sounds like a really good fee! Lawyers in Alaska want $2500-3000 for Ch 7, which is why I filed pro se.

[Cali]

One of the ladies at my 341, paid her attorney 750 to file her BK. The reason I know this is because the attorney wasn't there when the lady was called up and the trustee asked how much she paid and she told him. This lady was an older woman, so not sure if it was because she was older that she got a cheaper rate or if the attorney just charges a way lower fee than most in this area.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

Yeah I agree. I don't really care about the PACER. It was just one of those things.. that hey.. he does'nt know "this" Like Logan said it's trivial. The positive thing is I felt comfortable with everything we discussed during our intial consultation. I know I have did the best research possible, barring talking to one of his actual clients or someone that has used him.

[Pinkie86]

As long as he's competent and able, and you feel comfortable and happy, I don't think there's anymore that you could ask for.

Other than a speedy 341. ;)

[Keebler]

I've always noticed this on the login screen and kind of wondered if I should be worried...

CM/ECF Filer or PACER Login

Notice
This is a Restricted Web Site for Official Court Business only. Unauthorized entry is prohibited and subject to prosecution under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. All activities and access attempts are logged.

Also...
I selected my attorney by looking at court records to eliminate Chapter 13 pushers and the big bankruptcy mill that handles too many cases. I met with the best three attorneys and chose the one who answered my questions best and treated me like I wanted to be treated. He also happened to be the least expensive one and was willing to file before I paid him in full. In a few menths I'll be able to tell you if it worked out okay.

[Mi Bankruptcy]

Well thanks. for listening to my pissing and moaning that my attorney appears competent and is too cheap. I guess..I truly believe if I am going to do this I had to be really critical of the attorney I picked.. lol

Thanks Keebler for putting the PACER info up there.

[wtu]

If I were you...I would find out when both of the attorneys are next scheduled for 341 hearings and GO. I paid a lot for representation by my atty ($1800). But she was so diligent and had every "i" dotted and "t" crossed on my bk petition that it has made things go extremely well throughout the whole process for me.

What I would look for are signs that your bankruptcy attorney leaves holes in your petition and if they seem unprepared. Ex:

One attorney took all of a girl's creditors straight off of her credit report. When the trustee asked her about who she owed money too, she couldn't even tell him and she was forced into a continuance.

Other attorney's had obviously not reviewed all of their clients documentations/budgets/etc and you could tell the trustee was singleing them out for further scrutiny.

Bottom line I think with all this and getting an attorney -- you need an attorney who is basically going to annoy the heck out of you in requesting documentation, documentation, documentation and then who says that they analyze everything you send.

I live in the Northeast...so attorney's here are very expensive anyway. You may not have to pay as much for a good attorney depending on where you live.

Good luck

[Mi Bankruptcy]

Thanks WTU.. I agree on the documentation, documentation, documentation.. As I said in my earlier post this is what my lawyer did just for the consultation.. It annoyed my wife..but it was what I expected and made me feel confident about want to retain him. I'll check out the 341 schedules and see if I can find his name. The only thing is the calanders that I have looked at don't really seem to be updated.

[HHM]

That second fee seems "really" low. Have you had a chance to review his retainer agreement.

Its hard to assess which attorney is better and the amount of the fee in no way helps with that determination. My guess is, with the second attorney, you will be exclusively dealing with an assistant once you hire this firm and the next time you see and speak to your lawyer will be at the 341 meeting. However, that does not mean he won't give you good service.