Any bankruptcy can be complicated. There are federal and state laws to deal with and stacks of forms to fill out and file with the court. You stand to lose a lot if it's not done properly.
Bankruptcy gets even more complicated when a business is involved. Getting help from an attorney can make all the difference. But where do you find one, and which one is right for you? Here are some suggestions for finding the right attorney for your case.
Focus on Your Problem
Not all lawyers handle all types of bankruptcy matters, so a good first step is to narrow down as best you can what you think your legal problem is. Ask yourself: What part do I play in this bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy lawyers usually specialize either as debtor's counsel or creditor's counsel. You're definitely looking for a lawyer who has expertise as debtor's counsel if your business is having trouble paying its bills and you're thinking about filing for bankruptcy.
You want to find a lawyer with experience in representing creditors if a company that owes you money filed for bankruptcy.
Having a good idea of what your specific problem is makes finding the right lawyer faster and easier.
Find One, or Two or Three
Now it's time to find some names of a few attorneys. In the beginning it's always a good idea to talk to more than one attorney. This way you can comparison shop to find one that you like and trust. Here's where to look:
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Lawyers.com is a great place to start. A few short clicks will get you a list of bankruptcy lawyers in your area complete with telephone numbers, background information and more
- Contact the local bar association in your area
- The American Bar Association has tools and information to help you find an attorney, as does the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI)
- Talk to your family, friends and business contacts. Someone you know may have hired a bankruptcy attorney and can tell what he liked or disliked about the attorney
- Check your local telephone book for bankruptcy lawyers
- If you don't think you can afford an attorney, there may be a program in your area that offers free or low-cost legal help with bankruptcies
Next: Research Potential Lawyers