Using a Lawyer from out of state

[donjuanwater]

: : I am in New Jersey filing for chapter 7, and I submitted a request via the internet to many different Lawyers and called local lawyers found via the Internet. The first law firm to call was from California, but the women seem right on the ball, and I loved how she was confident that I had a case, and I like how she personally filed for bankruptcy successfully 10 years ago. I am working with Price Law group, and they say they are pretty big, I have a main lawyer and her assistant and they have been very responsive, and they have a local lawyer that I will be working with once I am done with the back office work with the people in California. They say the local lawyer for Price Law group is a genious.
: : Any thoughts on using a law firm from out of state?

[donjuanwater]

My lawyer will be present at my 341 meeting

By the way My lawyer will be present at my 341 meeting, he is part of the Price Law Group, but he is registered in 7 states, including NJ. Price Law Group states that he is a genius.

[HHM]

Just as long as you know what you are getting into. Its a lawyer affiliation program. The local lawyer signs the petition and may advise you on legal issues (or may not). I know that Price Law Group often uses "appearance" counsel at the 341 meetings, so the lawyer you deal with for your petition may be different than the lawyer that attends the 341 Meeting.

I'd be curious to see the retainer agreement you signed regarding the services provided and any disclaimers.

[PriceLawGroup]

Using a Lawyer from out of state

To clarify on this matter, the attorney of record on these cases is the attorney who has signed the petition and is not part of an "affiliation program".

[HHM]

To clarify on this matter, the attorney of record on these cases is the attorney who has signed the petition and is not part of an "affiliation program".

Call it what you will, but its the staff in california that prepares the paperwork and does most the work, the local attorney may or may not have even met with thec client.

[AnnieG]

Call it what you will, but its the staff in california that prepares the paperwork and does most the work, the local attorney may or may not have even met with thec client.

I had used PriceLaw Group and had an excellent experience. Though I had never met my lawyer in person, he was extremely attentive to the literally dozens and dozens of questions that I had. I don't believe I would have gotten nearly the face time with a local lawyer. It is true that I had an appearance lawyer at the 341, but, I didn't need him at all. All the paperwork and questions had been worked out by then. I called my "regular" lawyer right after the 341 and we discussed the meeting.

In my case, my decision was based on an initial 1-hour + discussion with the lawyer, and my evaluation that he was a trust-worthy and knowledgeable partner for this journey.

I would not rule out a out-of-state lawyer. If you find someone you feel is quality and your gut feel is good, I would say to go for it.

[Genenco]

I would not rule out a out-of-state lawyer. If you find someone you feel is quality and your gut feel is good, I would say to go for it.

That's probably the BEST advice of all. If the lawyer you get makes you feel even "Slightly" concerned, you're better off looking for another..Speaking from very RECENT experience here

[HHM]

I am not putting down PriceLaw Group, but just pointing out what people are getting when they go with them.

Strictly speaking, you are not using an out of state lawyer when you use Price Law Group because there is a local attorney who signs off on everything. However, depending on the local's practice, you may or may not have much contact with the local attorney, so you are really paying $1200 for a document preperation service and to have an attorney you never met appear with you at the 341 meeting (which is not a big deal because the attorney doesn't do much at the 341 meeting).