Bankruptcy Tips
Does it ever feel like there is no way out? Have you borrowed from family and friends to the point where they don’t want to see your shadow on their street? Are your bills so far behind you just don’t know when the repo man is going to come for the car, the house and the furniture?
Well, there is a solution and it’s known as Bankruptcy. But, there are several different kinds of bankruptcy so it’s important to consult with a competent lawyer to discuss which variety is right for you.
The most common bankruptcy filings are chapter 13 and chapter 7. The differences are dramatic so it is important that you know what you are doing and which one you chose to make sure you make the right decision.
A qualified and competent bankruptcy lawyer can help you sort all this stuff out and make sure that you come out on top. These are difficult times, and if you are contemplating bankruptcy you need to make sure you find the right lawyer to represent you. One thing you should be careful is to find a reputable lawyer. What I mean by this is that there are plenty of crooked lawyers out there who will take advantage of your weakened position. I’ve even heard of one lawyer in Austin who kept a client’s expensive watch after agreeing to hold it until his bill was paid.
When the client was ready to pay off his bill, the lawyer refused to give back the watch. Don’t let this happen to you and make sure you get everything in writing so you don’t end up with your family heirlooms stolen in addition to losing all your other assets.
If you are unable to pay your lawyer all of his fees up front, offer to make payments and if you have to use some collateral for security, make sure that you specifically spell out the terms that you and the lawyer have agreed to.
Bankruptcy is not fun, and it’s even less fun if you get tangled up with a lawyer who will take advantage of you. Don’t think for a minute just because they are lawyers that they are honest. All you have to do is look in a joke book to discover that this may not be true.
Always protect yourself and make sure you get everything in writing, and above all else, if you need a bankruptcy lawyer do your homework. But also, don’t be afraid of the process. I came out of my bankruptcy a new person and I’m better off for it. If it is the right decision for you, then go for it and forget about the embarrassment that goes with it. Just do it and start over. Good luck!