Choosing an attorney

[badjob]

I am in the very preliminary stages of considering filing. I could go either way. Since I am so unsure, I decided to take advantage of the free initial consults offered by several of the bankruptcy attorneys in my area. So my question is: what would you look for in an attorney? What questions should I ask? What are the things you now know that you wish you had known at my stage? Also, price. I have what will probably be a simple case (few assets, no house, no car loan) Can I afford to go with a cheaper lawyer, or should I get a lower fee for the relatively simple nature of my case or are the extra bucks worth it incase something goes wrong?

[Genenco]

Well, age has nothing to do with it. So forget that. Young or old, they both could be great.

I had one who was a "HardAss" he told me "I want ALL the info as my ass is on the line also!" And he was right, now lawyers face sanctions and stuff for letting their clients lie or fib...Not a good thing now.

In addition, I'm suspecting (Having called 3 lawyers) that they'll want the info first THEN you come in for a "Visit" as now with the new laws, they have to go over it with a fine tooth comb.

So, for me, I want "Mr. HardAss Lawyer" who gets meam with his clients (In a nice way) and will grill me as bad as the trustee will..And now, they very well might...

Money wise? Easy cases are easy. Most lawyers charge accordingly. BUT, don't expect a $500 cheapo, be happy to spend $1,000 because you'll sleep better knowing you have someone you can trust.

[Minnymouth]

My Opinion,
Find you a lawyer you feel comfortable with and takes the time to answer all your questions. If they avoid answering your questions, get rid of him. You pay them to represent you - and keep you informed of proceedings.
If your lawyer is informative, asks questions of you, and then tells you options available to you and what the proceeding are like and what will happen, then he is a keeper!!!
If he rushes you, never returns calls, and you can't get answers out of him - GET RID OF HIM!!! He's not working in your best interest.
Always keep an eye on what your lawyer is doing - good or bad lawyer. Help protect your own interest.
Many of us are the mercy of attorneys - whom we hire for their experience and knowledge of the laws.
BUT YOU SURE CAN GET SCREWED BY A BAD ATTORNEY...

So choose carefully, be satisfied with them...

Minny

[AAAArt]

Take the basic info of your situation w/ you. I listed all of my bills and creditors and my income. I didn't bother with expenses, exept to put a ballpark medical expense in as it is well above average.
I very briefly told the atty. my situation and asked there opinions. Talked with them as they asked questions and I asked questions.
By the time I reached #4, I spoke with his legal asst. first (who turned out to be his wife) then him.
I knew this was the person I wanted. He said we charge a little more, because we give more personal service. That was fine with me, however he was right in line with the others I interviewed, except for the least expensive, who charged extra of re-affirmations and other things and would have wound up being the most expensive.
I think that after you interview some that you will just "know" who's prob. best for you.
BTW, I personally wanted to avoid a "Bk Mill" where I knew that I wouldn't get any personal advice. I asked a lawyer whom I knew and another a good frien used for referrals. That is where I got my names for 3 of the atty's I inteerviewed. The one I finally went with was from a small ad in the yellow pages. Turns out he had recently moved here from a large city so that he could raise his children in what he felt was a better and safer environment. While in the large city, he had been majorly involved in corpprate Bk and had written on the subject for various journals.
As with many things in my life, God just kinda took care of me. I'm not saying that one of the others might have been a bad choice, just that I somehow wound up with the atty. who was the perfect fit for me. Art