When Do You Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer?
Some examples of when you might need a bankruptcy attorney include:
- If you or your business need to file for bankruptcy and know what your legal obligations are if the court approves their bankruptcy petition.
- If you need to gather, draft, and review all documents and any evidence pertaining to the bankruptcy matter.
- If you have any questions before, during, and/or after the bankruptcy petition is filed.
- If you are a family farmer or a family fisherman who is seeking for relief under a Chapter 12 bankruptcy petition.
- If you need further assistance with bankruptcy issues, such as resolving disputes with creditors, converting chapter 13 to chapter 7 or vise versa, or stopping creditors.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Bankruptcy Lawyer in the U.S.?
The amount it costs to hire a bankruptcy lawyer in the United States will depend on several factors. These include the type of legal services they are being asked to provide and the fee structure that a law firm or individual bankruptcy lawyer assigns to a particular matter.
Without considering any other specific details, the average cost of a bankruptcy lawyer in the U.S. falls somewhere between $200 and $400 per hour. Of course, this is an estimate and will vary on a case-by-case basis. For instance, costs can be as high as $2,000 for a complicated bankruptcy case or as low as $500 for a straightforward filing.
The best way to calculate the total cost of hiring a U.S. bankruptcy lawyer is to speak with your prospective attorney about their hourly fees or rate structure. To learn more about the bankruptcy process or find a low-cost bankruptcy attorney near you, start by searching LegalMatch’s database.
What to Look for in a Bankruptcy Lawyer
Some factors to look for in bankruptcy lawyers may include:
- Fee structure: Many lawyers will charge a flat rate when taking on a bankruptcy case. This means that a client will have a general idea of how much a bankruptcy lawyer’s services will cost. It also means that the client will likely need to pay a portion of the flat fee upfront.
- Experience: The experience, skills, and reputation of a lawyer are important. Find an attorney who has been practicing for years and has a stellar reputation or success rate for resolving bankruptcy matters.
- Firm size and type: The size of a law firm may play a role. The general rule of thumb is that the bigger the law firm, the higher costs. However, this is not necessarily true if a small firm solely specializes in bankruptcy cases. The type of law firm will also affect how much a bankruptcy lawyer or firm costs.
- Firm location: The location of a firm or lawyer can also affect the price of a bankruptcy case.
How to Prepare for Your Consultation With the Bankruptcy Lawyer
You can prepare for your consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer by:
- Having questions about your case or various bankruptcy laws or requirements;
- Finding a knowledgeable legal expert to discuss important details with
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Where to Find the Best Bankruptcy Lawyers in the U.S.
It is strongly encouraged that you hire a local bankruptcy lawyer for legal guidance on your bankruptcy matter. You can find affordable legal aid and organizations that give free legal advice here.
An experienced bankruptcy lawyer can assist you in weighing the risks and benefits of filing for bankruptcy and help you select the proper chapter of bankruptcy based on your circumstances. They can also aid you in drafting and filing the legal documents required to file for bankruptcy in court.
Your lawyer can handle any issues or disputes that arise from your bankruptcy filing. Lastly, they can explain the next steps you must take depending on if the court approves or denies your bankruptcy petition. Use LegalMatch to find the best bankruptcy lawyers in the U.S. today.
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