Filing for bankruptcy is complex as critical decisions have to be made from when it is filed until the debts are discharged. A seasoned bankruptcy lawyer helps guide clients through the procedure and paperwork. Below is a list of services a client can expect from the bankruptcy attorney.
Legal Advice
According to an expert from family law Orlando-based, a retainer agreement entails a contract signed between the attorney and the client. It outlines the services provided by the bankruptcy lawyer. The attorney’s role is to provide clients with competent advice throughout the process.
The attorney has to advise clients whether filing for bankruptcy is the best option, and clients are advised to ask relevant questions to the attorney via calls or emails.
Competence
Not all bankruptcy cases are complex, but they are usually lengthy. The hired bankruptcy attorney should possess the required skills to handle the client’s case.
The difficulty of the bankruptcy case depends on it.
- If a client owns a small business
- The involvement of bankruptcy litigation
- Facts of the case
- Whether the client files for Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy
One way to establish if it is a good fit is by asking whether the attorney has represented clients in a similar case in the past.
Preparation And Filing Of The Paperwork
Filing for bankruptcy requires a lot of paperwork. Most bankruptcy lawyers have specialized software that prepares the clients’ bankruptcy paperwork. Clients are then required to provide the lawyer with financial information, including assets, income, expenses, and debt information. The legal practitioner then uses the data to prepare the official forms and then goes over the paperwork to ensure accuracy.
The attorney ensures clients present all the relevant documents as failure to do so leads to:
- Dismissal of the client’s case
- Delay in the process
It is, therefore, the responsibility of the bankruptcy lawyer to know the filing procedures and local rules.
Representation At The Hearings
After filing for bankruptcy, debtors are required to attend a mandatory hearing. Depending on the case, the attorney and clients may be required to participate in additional hearings.
The most common types of hearing when an attorney represents clients include:
- Chapter 7 reaffirmation hearings
- Chapter 13 confirmation hearings
Before filing the bankruptcy case, the lawyer advises the clients on matters regarding the hearing to anticipate.
Bankruptcy requires meeting with creditors and an attorney to have representation to ensure the client’s best interests are pursued. Hire a seasoned bankruptcy lawyer with tons of experience to have fair representation.
