Legal Fees

[luckstyl]

I finally decided that filing Chapter 7 is my only option, and I am really really excited about moving on and getting this all behind me.

Right now I am going through the process of meeting with a few lawyers and getting their basic advice, etc. The first guy I met with quoted me $1500 including filing fees and court costs, and it would be more if the creditors fought the bankruptcy(there are some unique circumstances).

Is that about the right amount for a good lawyer? It is going to take me *forever* to save up $1500 on my salary, and I'd like to get moving on this fairly quickly. What is a reasonable amount to expect to pay for legal services?

[mb10240]

$1500 is a fairly reasonable amount. Some attorneys I know do payment plans of sort -- they will prepare your documents and file for a set amount (say $750-900) but will expect the rest after filing or representation will terminate.

Additionally, you have to consider what is included in that amount. For example, some attorneys I met with actually charge extra if you have to go through the full fledged means test or if they have to represent you in an adversarial proceeding (obviously).

[HHM]

In Alabama, maybe $1,500 is okay for a "good" attorney, but in most major metropolitan areas, $1,500 is on the low side and the fee agreement probably contains significant restrictions on representation and a menu of "what if" additional charges. The truly quality attorneys don't charge less than $2,000, you are paying for expertise, time and service.

they will prepare your documents and file for a set amount (say $750-900) but will expect the rest after filing or representation will terminate.

Be VERY VARY LEARY of any attorney that offers this sort of a arrangement. It is borderline unethical. In chapter 7, the attorney must be paid "up front". Otherwise the attorney becomes a creditor in your case creating a conflict of interest. Personally, I would never work with an attorney so desperate for work that they put a client in a possible worse position needing the attorneys help but unable to give it.

[tcreegan]

Hi luckstyl,

This is my collected wisdom of the forum on shopping for attorneys:

Communication: phone/email/face-to-face, secretary/paralegal/attorney, turnaround time on responses
Organizaton/work ethic: dot all i's, cross all t's or 'good enough,' document filed ASAP or 'before the deadline'
Competence: know the local trustees, judges, filed cases like yours, up-to-date on relevant court rulings
Retainer/Fee: exactly what is covered, what is extra, what to expect as 'extra'

Good luck finding someone!

Tom in Colo