Meeting with a Bankruptcy Lawyer

Bankruptcy is a big step, and you've made a smart decision to look for some legal help with the bankruptcy process. It's complicated, and a lawyer can make things a lot less stressful for you and your family. Having a good first meeting with your bankruptcy lawyer can get your case moving quickly, and maybe even save you some money.

Tips for Meeting with a Bankruptcy Lawyer

Here's a list of things to keep in mind when meeting with an attorney:

• Gather documents. Make sure you have all the information or documents the attorney may have asked you to gather when you first spoke on the phone. You may have received a questionnaire or form asking for basic information like your full name, address, home telephone number, and employer's name and phone number
• Call the attorney's office. A day or two before your scheduled meeting, call the attorney's office and confirm your appointment. Explain what materials and information you've gathered and ask if you need to bring anything else to help the attorney understand your case
• Arrive a few minutes early. She may be running ahead of schedule and may be able to talk to you earlier than scheduled. It also shows her you're serious about the case
• Relax. When you finally meet face-to-face, don't be too anxious to tell your lawyer everything in one breath. Take some time and get to know each other. Your lawyer may want to start with some chit-chat about the weather or your family. It's OK
• Prepare your questions. If you haven't already done so in an earlier phone call, be prepared to ask your attorney some questions, like how many cases she's handled like yours, how much time your case may take and what kind of forms and paperwork will you need
• Be upfront. When it comes time to talk about the particulars of your case, answer the attorney's questions truthfully and completely. Remember, if she doesn't take your case, anything you say is protected by the attorney-client privilege, meaning except in very rare instances, she can't tell anyone else about what you say in the meeting
• Ask for more information. The attorney may give you some options about what you can do next in your case. Listen to all the options, and if you don't understand something, ask for more information. Ask him what he would do if he was in your position
• How much for your case? If you like the attorney, if you think she can help, and if you're ready to hire her, take a breath. If you haven't asked already, now's the time to find out how much she's going to charge for her help. If you talked to more than one lawyer, you may have an idea of how much your case should cost. If the lawyer's price sounds too high or too low, she may be overcharging or may not have enough experience to know what charge is reasonable
• Ask for references from past clients. They can tell you a lot about the lawyer. If she refuses to give you some references, you may want to look for another attorney
• Ask who's handling the case. Sometimes, a paralegal, assistant, or another attorney in the law firm will handle it under the attorney's supervision. You're paying for an experienced attorney, so make sure one is taking care of your case
• Take a few days to decide. Unless you're in an emergency situation or a big hurry, you don't have to hire the attorney right then and there. Most attorneys will understand if you say you'd like a few days to think about your options and to talk the lawyer's references
• Read your contract. If you decide to hire the attorney, you'll get some sort of contract to sign. Read it carefully; every page and word for word. It should spell out clearly what exactly your attorney agrees to do for you and how much you agree to pay him. Make sure the contract matches what you and your attorney talked about in your meeting. If you have any questions, ask your attorney before you sign
• Have money ready for a retainer. Be prepared to pay your attorney a partial fee or retainer when you sign the contract. Pay by check or by credit card. Ask your attorney if a payment plan can be set up for your future costs and expenses if you think it may be difficult for you to pay a lump sum at the end of the case. Showing you're able and willing to pay for her services shows your attorney you're responsible and you take the case seriously
• Understand the next steps. Your attorney should explain exactly what will happen next in your case, how long it may take, and what you need to do to get things moving - forms, documents, financial information, etc. You should have your attorney's phone number and his assurance that you can call him at any time if you have any questions or concerns about your case
• Respond quickly. If your attorney contacts you later and asks for more information or documents, do your best to get him what he asks for as soon as possible. The faster you respond, the quicker the attorney can work, which can save you money if the attorney charges an hourly rate

At the end of your first meeting, you should have a good idea of what can be done in your case, how your attorney plans to handle things, and how long it will take. It's an important step in helping you get the bankruptcy relief you're after.