Being bankrupt is a bad state anyone can ever find themselves, but hiring a wrong attorney to file your bankruptcy case in court the situation can be put you in an even worse situation. To avoid such situation, it is important that time and effort is put into researching for an attorney who is qualified and experienced enough to help you through the whole process successfully.

Here are tips to enable you choose the best bankruptcy attorney to handle your bankruptcy case if you are living in California:

Check Their Qualification

Be sure to confirm the attorney’s qualification to handle bankruptcy cases. Many attorneys out there are not qualified enough to be able to successfully lead bankruptcy cases in court; therefore, in order not to wind up with such attorney, you need to check their certification. Do they have the required certificate for this kind of job?

Ask For Referrals

An easy and fast way to get qualified and efficient attorneys to handle your bankruptcy case is to ask for recommendations from friends who have filed for bankruptcy before. Since they have gone through the whole bankruptcy process before, they will be able to show you a good lawyer you can engage.

Asking legal professionals to direct you to a good bankruptcy attorney is also a wise thing to do. Since, that’s their profession; they should know the right person or firm to refer you to.

Go To Bankruptcy Courts

You may be able to find attorneys who showed what you are looking for by going to observe court sessions on bankruptcy cases. You can then approach them and ask for an appointment to discuss further. And from this, you will be able to know much about the attorney to enable you make up your mind whether to hire them or not to take on your case.

Find an Attorney Who Is Not Overworked

You need to hire an attorney who is not overworked, and may therefore not have the time and patience to listen to you and take the complete details of your case. Working with an attorney with loads of briefs on his or her desk can leave you flustered as you will not be happy that they are representing you the way you want.

A little conversation with your prospective attorney before hiring them to handle your bankruptcy case can reveal whether they will have the needed time and patience for your case. You can ask them what they are doing presently, and how interested they are in handling your brief. Taking the time and effort to find a bankruptcy lawyer that best suit your needs will lessen your worries in the long run as you know that you are in good hands.

About The Law Office of James G. Roche

The Law Office of James G. Roche is the leading bankruptcy law firm in California, helping hundreds of clients who file for bankruptcy. At James G. Roche, our attorneys will take every measure to ensure that clients file for bankruptcy only when necessary. We will assign a bankruptcy attorney will work with clients on a one-to-one basis to preserve and protect their assets and pay creditors in the near future where possible.

Contact them at 888-380-3080 for a Free Bankruptcy evaluation.

For more information, visit them at http://thelaw007.com

What is all of the talk about bankruptcy these days? Quite simply, it is the section of the federal law that will allow a person who is in an extreme amount of debt to get a “fresh start”. It will reduce the amount of debt that is required to be paid back as well as extend the time period in which the debt must be repaid. Will you need a bankruptcy attorney to help you sort through all of this? The answer is a resounding YES and let me explain why.

The bankruptcy laws are often referred to by their chapter number in the Bankruptcy Code. Debtors may file under five different chapters; three of them are for individuals: Chapter 7, which refers to Liquidation, Chapter 11, which refers to Reorganization, and Chapter 13, which refers to Reorganization.

The laws have really changed in recent years as far as bankruptcy goes, and you are now required to sit through a course before you will even know if bankruptcy is the way you should and even can proceed. That’s right, it is no longer YOUR choice about declaring bankruptcy; the judge must approve it. This will help to determine whether you can have your debts erased through Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy laws or whether you have to enter a type of repayment plan through Chapter 13. It is better to acquire the services of a bankruptcy attorney before deciding to blindly strike off on your own. When consulting with your bankruptcy attorney, he or she will make sure that you file all of the necessary forms to discharge the debt.

That is just one of the reasons you want a good and qualified bankruptcy attorney because if you make a mistake on those forms, your case may get thrown out and you are right back to where you started. Or you may mistakenly present yourself on the forms so that you only get approved for Reorganization instead of Liquidation, which means you still have all your debts.

There are a numerous ways that the new bankruptcy laws will have their effects on debtors:

* A strict financial means test must be taken that will not allow many debtors to file under Chapter 7.

* Debtors have to receive a briefing from a credit counseling agency that has been approved for this. The debtor must do this at least 6 months before filing a bankruptcy case.

* Debtors must also take a class that has been approved on debt management techniques before receiving their bankruptcy discharge. Yes, these two steps are mandatory, even though the majority of people who file do not do so because of financial mismanagement.

* It is now easier for a court to be able to dismiss a bankruptcy case altogether or convert a Chapter 7 case to a Chapter 13 case

* It is now permitted for a court to impose sanctions on lawyers or on debtors for filing a Chapter 7 case that either had been dismissed or was converted to a Chapter 13 case.

How can a Bankruptcy Attorney Solve Credit Problems?

Bankruptcy attorneys are lawyers that specialize in bankruptcy law. They provide legal means for an individual or a business to either wipe out debts or resolve them.

Bankruptcy attorneys explain to their clients the primary purposes and applications as to how the bankruptcy laws now specifically apply to them in their unique situation. They may give such pertinent information to their clients as to under what chapter they may file, what bills are allowed to be eliminated, the length of time that payments can be extended, the possessions that are allowed to be kept, and all of the other details concerning bankruptcy.

A bankruptcy attorney will properly present your case for Chapter 7, which involves liquidation and debtor rehabilitation, or Chapter 13 which is reorganization, which is probably not what you had in mind when you decided to file. This involves a court-approved plan of reorganization as well as payment of the debt over a certain time period using future earnings.

If you are on the fence as to whether you should hire a bankruptcy attorney, you are strongly advised to you do so. There are many stories, including a couple who had the misfortune of having to apply for bankruptcy and they thought they could file online. It turns out that they filled in the paperwork in the wrong way and consequently the debts that the wife had were left intact as they only filed singly and not jointly. Don’t make that same mistake. You will be out attorney fees in the short run, but you will more than make it up when your debts are discharged.

To find a Pre-Screened Lawyer in your area, please call our 24Hr Unbiased Lawyer Referral Hotline at 661-310-7999.

Bankruptcy laws have evolved over the last several decades into a maze of legal proceedings that affect not only a person’s present financial stability, but future financial obligations and responsibilities as well. Using the professional services of a bankruptcy attorney is not only wise in the short run but ensures fairness in the protection of one’s assets for years to come.

There are five main reasons why people need a bankruptcy attorney.

1. Attorneys Speak the Language of the Court
Words commonly used in legal proceedings have developed specialized definitions that are used solely in the courtroom. When the same word is used outside of the courtroom it may carry an entirely different meaning. Some of the words and terms used during legal proceedings have no common usage on the street in everyday conversation. Hiring a bankruptcy attorney to speak on behalf of the client ensures that the client’s best interests are both heard and understood by all parties.

2. Protection of Rights
A bankruptcy attorney is trained to protect a client’s legal rights and negotiate a fair settlement of assets and debts. It’s possible for people who are filing for bankruptcy and who are unrepresented by legal counsel to be taken advantage of in unfair ways. The law provides a level of protection in bankruptcy court that attorneys understand. People who enter into bankruptcy proceedings unrepresented by an attorney may find themselves victimized by unscrupulous creditors.

3. Future Financial Damage
Bankruptcies involve not only the possible liquidation of present assets but create even more problems down the road. Attorneys will help clients to minimize the future effects of a bankruptcy as it relates to credit ratings, loans and other financial matters.

4. Ignorance of the Law
Most people who petition for bankruptcy protection have absolutely no idea of how to proceed in filing the necessary paperwork. Courts are highly structured with formidable filing requirements that the average citizen knows nothing about. A good attorney will file the proper paperwork at the right time and for the right reasons.

5. Fairness
At the heart of bankruptcy proceedings is fairness. People do not intentionally end up in a bankruptcy. An attorney who represents the client’s interests will present a case to the court that accurately reflects the facts and explains why the client is there. Creditors understandably want to be paid what they are owed but the days of debtor’s prison are long gone. A bankruptcy attorney is qualified to negotiate a fair settlement that will benefit both the client and the creditors.

With these reasons in mind, if you are looking to file for bankruptcy, it is vital that you start researching on the best bankruptcy lawyer around.

If you are looking for a bankruptcy lawyer in California, contact the Law Office of James G. Roche at 888-380-3080.

About The Law Office of James G. Roche

The Law Office of James G. Roche is the leading bankruptcy law firm in California, helping hundreds of clients who file for bankruptcy. At James G. Roche, our attorneys will take every measure to ensure that clients file for bankruptcy only when necessary. We will assign a bankruptcy attorney will work with clients on a one-to-one basis to preserve and protect their assets and pay creditors in the near future where possible.

Contact them at 888-380-3080 for a Free Bankruptcy evaluation.

For more information, visit them at http://thelaw007.com

While some consumers may consider filing for bankruptcy without an attorney, respected Los Angeles, California bankruptcy attorney Shemtoub of the Wilshire Law Group advises strongly against it. Shemtoub has seen too many instances where individuals who try to “do it alone” end up putting themselves in a worse financial situation than they were in before bankruptcy. In other words, they accomplish the exact opposite of their bankruptcy’s goal.

The Dangers of Filing for Bankruptcy without an Attorney

Consumers who get in over their heads with debt and find themselves facing bankruptcy may be tempted into filing for bankruptcy without an attorney. After all, with all the money they already owe, and with the option to file without an attorney, why not avoid hefty legal fees and file without an attorney?

Nothing could be a worse idea than filing for bankruptcy without an attorney. US bankruptcy laws are complex; the bankruptcy court main website expressly states that “While individuals can file a bankruptcy case without an attorney… it is extremely difficult to do it successfully” (Source: USCourts.gov). The same website goes on to state:

“It is very important that a bankruptcy case be filed and handled correctly. The rules are very technical, and a misstep may affect a debtor’s rights… hiring a competent attorney is strongly recommended.”

As if the federal laws governing bankruptcy weren’t complicated enough, there are also all the additional state laws. A bankruptcy lawyer in California, for example, has to stay up-to-date on all the latest bankruptcy statutes specific to the state. It’s easy to see how, without an experienced California bankruptcy lawyer, consumers can easily find themselves confused, overwhelmed, and making mistakes that cost them a fortune.

About  Shemtoub and the Wilshire Law Group

Shemtoub and the other bankruptcy attorneys in the Wilshire Law Group have years of experience guiding consumers and small businesses through the challenging process of bankruptcy. The testimonials posted onto the Wilshire Law Group’s website bears witness to their great success with countless clients in Southern California.

Shemtoub is a bankruptcy attorney in California who stands by his clients throughout the entire process of bankruptcy, even through bankruptcy’s aftermath. The same holds true for each of the lawyers in the Wilshire Law Group. From the free consultation at the beginning of the process, to the bankruptcy filing itself, to post-bankruptcy educational seminars designed to help consumers repair their credit and their financial lives, the Wilshire Law Group is a firm that is clearly dedicated to its clients.

The Wilshire Law Group also makes one unique promise to all clients and potential clients that makes them stand apart from the crowd: their guarantee is to return all phone calls within twenty-four hours. The twenty-four hour phone call promise shows that every client, no matter how big or how small, is valued at the Wilshire Law Group.

A bankruptcy attorney is the expert who focus specially on bankruptcy law and provide help at the time of legal requirement. They can come to the aid of individuals as well as organizations that are facing such proceedings. These lawyers explain the nuances of the law and how these laws work to relieve businesses and individuals from their burden of debt. All such proceedings in the United States are regulated by Title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy code. Details regarding the chapter under which it has to be filed, period of time for which payments can be extended, which bills can be eliminated and which property can be kept are all explained in detail in the code.

The Two Main Types

The types of proceedings followed by bankruptcy attorneys are generally of two types. One is Chapter 7, which involves liquidation. The second type undertakes the rehabilitation of debtors according to reorganization plans advocated by the court and come under the purview of Chapters 9, 11, 12 and 13 of the code. Having lawyers handle these cases assures you of getting accurate legal advice when you file your case. Bankruptcy attorneys are committed to acquiring debt relief for you and also will fight for your rights and property. They defend you against your various creditors and help you to retain your home, vehicles and other assets.

Choosing An Attorney

Always choose an attorney who deals specifically with Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It is not a rule that every lawyer who takes up cases would deal with Chapter 13 only. The expert that you select should have adequate experience in dealing with Chapter 13 cases. Do not choose a person who has never undertaken such cases. Get accurate information about your bankruptcy attorney from the local bar association, to be sure that your case is in safe hands. Do not hire a professional who make impossible promises. Look around for a lawyer who views your situation in a realistic manner and provides practical solutions. The one that you hire should be well versed with the laws regarding Chapter 13. Also make sure that he or she charges you a reasonable fee.

One thing that can be worse than bankruptcy is to have the wrong person handling your case. This is why you need to do adequate research before hiring a bankruptcy attorney, because, after all it is your financial future that is at stake. Do not wait till the last minute to hire and check for appropriate certifications before taking a decision.