Can I go to attorney's and ask questions without retaining one??

[hboyd4]

I"m BROKE and I need all the help I can get with this bankruptcy process. I have asked quite a few questions here and I have gotten quite a bit of help but I am at a road block and several of you have suggested that I see an attorney. Problem is, I can't afford one!!! Can I go see a few, act like I am shopping for one, ask questions and act like I am off to see another and I'll let them know if I decide to choose them? Then use their wisdom to file myself??? Is this so so wrong??? :-/ Thanks for any advice!

[TEW]

You can talk to a couple of lawyers see what they say. they may tell you how you can afford it pay.

[hboyd4]

They can tell me whatever they want about being able to pay them. I just want to ask them questions in regard to my case and I was wondering if they would answer anything until I committed to their services. I know most people use an attorney to file so I figured most people would know what information an attorney will offer before you retain them.

[okiemom2008]

They can tell me whatever they want about being able to pay them. I just want to ask them questions in regard to my case and I was wondering if they would answer anything until I committed to their services. I know most people use an attorney to file so I figured most people would know what information an attorney will offer before you retain them.

Just call before you go and make sure they offer a free consultation.

good luck to you

[hboyd4]

Just call before you go and make sure they offer a free consultation.

good luck to you

Ok... thanks okiemom!

[HHM]

But keep in mind, the information you get will be about as general as you will get on this forum. They are NOT going to sit down and do the means test with you or anything like that.

What exactly is your road block?

The purpose of the BK consultation is more about exploring your options and goals, and seeing what is in your best interests. The consultation rarely gets into the nuts and bolts of BK (nor should it).

[WorkingItOut]

I don't think you'll get any kind of detailed help. I mean, I'm sure they'll tell you if you qualify to file and maybe some generic information, but they aren't going to help you with specific questions about the paperwork or anything major since that would be their job to deal with if you hired them. I think most attorneys would see through any attempt at trying to get too much information from them.

But go ahead and try one and see what you can get.

[jessegirl]

HHM and others are right. You are NOT going to get any attorney to answer personal questions about your BK. It is all general answers to general questions. I got more answers from this forum then I got with my first consultation. You cannot blame the attorneys for doing that. I mean by rights, why should he give you free advice and not charge you?? They have to make a living too.

Ask all the questions you want on this forum. We do not charge... LOL

[itsladyliberty]

i consulted with an attorney before i filed pro se -- i wasn't information digging, i honestly wanted an attorney but his fees were too high and i found this forum shortly afterward and decided i could do it myself -- and i got ZERO information from the consultation that i couldn't have gotten from a simple google search. they know better than to give out services and advice for free. they've gotta make a living, too.

[magyar123]

Try contacting your county's legal help/aid office. I am almost certain that in these days of economic turmoil/recession/depression legal aid offices might assist you.

[JRScott]

If you truly cannot afford an attorney you might check with Legal Aid or the Clerk's office and see if there are any lawyers that do Pro Bono work in your area.

Good Luck

[optimistic1]

But keep in mind, the information you get will be about as general as you will get on this forum. They are NOT going to sit down and do the means test with you or anything like that.

My attorney did a means test on his computer system, now keep in mind, it was very preliminary, not 100%, but he actually ran the numbers. I think it all depends on who you get, because that was my fifth consultation, all the rest never even looked at my paycheck stubs, but yet, they asked that I bring them, go figure.

Sounds like I found a winner.

[hboyd4]

Well thanks everyone! I really appreciate your feedback. I guess I won't waste my time. I thought that most attorney's wouldn't waste their time giving out FREE info but I didn't know what lengths they would go to in hopes to get your business. I don't blame them at all for not helping you out until they get some money, makes sense.

My boyfriend and I are both filing chapter 7, no asset. He has assets but he is giving them up so I'm not sure if that makes it a no asset. We moved in with my mom and dad so now we don't have rent or utilites. We both pass the means test but he comes out on top on schedule J so I am scared that they will push him into a chapter 13. I am scared because he is actually paying on his debt now, never late. I've stopped all payments to my debt. BUT... if we were to try and move out we would never survive financially and we can only live here a year, not enough time to pay off debt. So if you are still following me here... it would be terrible to be forced into a chapter 13 when he is already paying on his debt. So then he would be in the same situation but with a huge red mark on his name for a long time. We are kind of stumped as to where to go from here. We can't live here much longer and we can't survive on our own... AGGGHHHH!!!