Choosing the Right Bankruptcy Lawyer in Los Angeles
The Central District of California recorded 32,236 Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings in the first three months of 2010, making it the district with the greatest number of bankruptcy filings in the United States as of that period. For a bankruptcy lawyer, Los Angeles, being a big metropolis and bearing a substantial number of those financial woes, this could mean good business. However, reciprocally, this should also mean a time to adequately learn how to find and hire the right bankruptcy attorney in the City of Angels.
Undergoing and declaring bankruptcy is debilitating enough but losing more belongings—albeit unnecessarily—due to improper or unguided bankruptcy filing can make anyone more desperate and disconsolate. Hence, it is important to know relevant information about the characteristics of a good bankruptcy attorney who is expected to provide the reliable guidance throughout the entire bankruptcy filing process.
Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer–Los Angeles may differ from others—is not compulsory especially for individuals. However, with all the technical and complex steps and considerations, seeking the help of a legal expert is a safer course of action. As such, one should consider searching for a good attorney. One should be looking for a bankruptcy lawyer who has the competence and experience, the appropriate specialization, the reasonable fees, the accessibility, and the personal and reassuring kind of service.
Competence is one of the prime factors to consider. It is a basic deciding detail in hiring an attorney. Evaluating competence means going over the credentials and career experience of a lawyer. It may involve some investigation especially when it comes to not so well-known lawyers or law firms. The types of cases handled, and the number of cases won factor in. It’s not enough to just hire someone simply because he or she has the “attorney” title attached to his or her name.
Specialization, on the other hand, also matters in choosing a good bankruptcy attorney in Los Angeles. A good lawyer should be updated with the most recent pertinent legal developments especially in the area of tax laws. He or she should also be well versed and should have had adequate training in bankruptcy cases to properly assess situations and come up with actions that would best benefit the client. Not all attorneys can competently handle bankruptcy cases, so it is important to find one with the right expertise.
Fees and clear service terms are also to be included among the things to bear in mind in finding a good bankruptcy lawyer. Bankruptcy mills or those that offer dubiously low rates and incredible promises are to be avoided. It would be good to find a lawyer or a law firm that offers flexible payment arrangements. Some lawyers may charge a flat fee while others ask for an upfront payment before moving on with the case. Weighing the advantages of the options available is important. While it is instinctive to avoid high rates, going for rock-bottom rates may not be a very wise choice — as such low prices also typically reflect the quality of services being rendered.
Accessibility is also a factor. A good bankruptcy lawyer in Los Angeles, who is serving clients in the city, must have an office in the city and should be easily contacted or visited. Accessibility matters as it rarely happens that lawyers solve their clients’ cases without having to meet and do proper and personal consultations. While bankruptcy cases can be generally classified as mass cases, constant communication and adequate discussions with the attorney being hired is preferable.
Moreover, looking for approachable and personal service is worth considering. It is okay to deal with an assistant or a paralegal every once in a while, but having regular personal discussions with the lawyer being hired is always preferable. Undergoing bankruptcy isn’t any ordinary situation so reassuringly discussing the issue with a competent lawyer always helps.
Bankruptcy or insolvency is a terrible state for anyone to face. In a layman’s definition, it means the inability to pay debts as they become due. In law, it is a legal status wherein a debtor (an individual or an organization) loses the means to pay creditors. It is a daunting circumstance that may best represent utter material or financial defeat. It is happening in different parts of the United States. It is happening in California. It is happening in the motion picture capital of the world. And without the proper guidance of the bankruptcy lawyer, Los Angeles can be a pretty harsh place.