When considering bankruptcy, many debtors balk at the cost of attorney fees. At a crucial time when money is already tight, the temptation to skip the attorney and deal with bankruptcy alone is understandable. However, experts agree: skipping the bankruptcy attorney is a bad idea. Here are the top 5 reasons to hire a bankruptcy attorney – and the risks of going it alone.
Bankruptcy is a serious decision.
Filing for bankruptcy can have a profound impact on your life, with some impacts lasting several years or more. A reputable bankruptcy attorney can help determine the best course of action, including the type of bankruptcy that best suits each situation.
Halting creditor harassment.
Bankruptcy protects the debtor from harassment by creditors, but this rule doesn’t apply before filing, and not all creditors will follow the rules right away. A bankruptcy attorney can field all creditor contact before the bankruptcy filing, and can take the necessary steps to ensure the harassment stops once the bankruptcy is filed.
Bankruptcy is complicated.
The bankruptcy process is extremely complicated and time consuming. An experienced bankruptcy attorney will not only save hundreds of hours of time, but he or she will also help make the process go as smoothly as possible.
Navigating around common pitfalls.
From minor errors on paperwork to huge lifestyle mistakes, bankruptcy is full of pitfalls, and any one of them can get a case dismissed in court. In fact, the success rate of filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy alone is abysmally low – less than 2 percent, according to a recent report by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California.
Understanding of court procedures.
Maintaining a high level of trust, respect and professionalism is necessary for a bankruptcy case to go smoothly. Respected bankruptcy attorneys know how best to present each case, understand court procedures, and often have respected relationships with local judges and trustees.
Filing for bankruptcy can mean a fresh start – but it is a complicated process with serious consequences if not done right. Hiring a bankruptcy attorney is the only way to ensure the best chance of success.
For people considering bankruptcy, one of the biggest fears is:
“What will I do about a car?”
You likely believe that once you declare bankruptcy, you will have a hard time qualifying for an automobile loan. Our eBook with walk you through everything you need to know about buying a car during and after bankruptcy. Learn about your options so you can make the best decision for your circumstances.
Automotive Fresh Start Center, LLC is NOT a debt relief agency, as defined in section 101(12A) of the Bankruptcy Code. We do not provide bankruptcy assistance. The articles, videos, images, digital products, and other content maintained on this site as well as the opinions voiced in this material are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. No information on this site constitutes legal or financial advice and should not take the place of consulting with a licensed bankruptcy attorney, debt relief agency, or certified financial advisor.