Why do you really need a bankruptcy lawyer in Van Nuys, CA?
It is all too easy to lose control of your debts, and find yourself facing creditors who are demanding immediate payment, or debt collection agencies who are threatening you with legal action and (illegally) arrest. Without legal help or knowledge of your rights, it is difficult to manage the stress of these debts, which can leave a financial scar and impact other aspects of your life, with you constantly having to fend off creditors and debt collection agencies. Although bankruptcy seems like a scary option, sometimes it is necessary in order for you to protect yourself and get your finances back on track. It is a better alternative than trying to avoid daily harassment from aggressive creditors or trying to pay off a debt with high interest rates, where the bulk of your monthly payment simply goes to pay interest and very little goes to actually paying down your balance. Creditors can sue you for nonpayment of your debts, and can garnish your wages, freeze your bank accounts, or place liens on your home. Bankruptcy can offer a solution in these situations. In order to make the right decision for your particular situation, you need to know your rights and be fully informed of your options. Finding a good bankruptcy lawyer from Van Nuys, CA can help you. When you look for a lawyer, there are a few things that you need consider.
Don’t settle for the cheapest
When you are in debt, it can be tempting to settle for the cheapest lawyer or paralegal in the area. However, as with most things in life, you will get what you pay for. The majority of reliable bankruptcy attorneys will have a standard agreement for their processes, with flat fees. For chapter 7, most bankruptcy attorneys will offer a flat fee that will cover preparing the bankruptcy petition, reviewing the petition with the debtor, attending the meeting of the creditors with the debtor, and the bankruptcy court filing fee. Chapter 13 fees will also include writing out the reorganization plans, and representing the client at a confirmation hearing. Chapter 13 fees are set by the court and virtually all attorneys within a district charge the same amount for Chapter 13s. When shopping around, pay special attention to Bankruptcy Petition Preparers or paralegals who offer to file your bankruptcy for seemingly a very low rate. They are only allowed to simply input into software information that you give them. These are not attorneys and they are not allowed to give legal advice. If they do, they are violating the law. The Van Nuys bankruptcy attorneys at Karadjian & Escobar offer fair and reasonable rates and provide great customer service. In most cases you can retain our bankruptcy attorneys for a small good faith down payment and make payments until you’re ready to file. Contact our Van Nuys bankruptcy lawyers for a quote today. Your initial consultation is FREE.
Find a caring, professional bankruptcy attorney
If you want to ensure that you get the best attorney you can afford, you should look for an attorney that is used to dealing with debtors and has experience in bankruptcy particularly. Certain attorneys advertise bankruptcy services but have very little experience in the field as they devote most of their practice to a wide range of legal areas. Make sure that you ask the law firm about th
e percentage of their practice devoted to bankruptcy, and about their success rate. The bankruptcy attorneys at Karadjian and Escobar have both held externships at the bankruptcy court and have prior work experience dealing specifically with bankruptcy and debt relief.
Look for attentive lawyers
Going with a firm that practices primarily bankruptcy has a caveat to consider. Sometimes referred to as bankruptcy mills, some firms simply offer lower rates and rely on volume to maximize their profits. These high-volume firms rush through the case and rely on templates without talking through the particular needs of the debtor. They often have paralegals do most of the work. Make sure you research the attorney and/or firm before retaining. You can check the California Bar website to make sure that the attorney does not have any public records of malpractice or ethical violations. You can also check for ratings on review websites. Make sure that you retain a lawyer who takes the time to speak with you about your case, answer your questions, and give you individualized attention.