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Bk attorney- is there a way to "check" qualifications?

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WhiteRaven

Guest
Missouri here. (previously posted chapt. 13 questions and concerns)

We have made an appt. with an attorney (tomorrow evening) but as we have never required the services of any type of attorney I was wondering if there is a place online to check and see if you have a "good" one?

After speaking to some people who have filed BK in our area, some doubts have been raised as to the qualifications of attorneys in our small, rural area. One person we spoke to used a "general practice" attorney who advised him NOT to file chapt. 13 on the grounds that it "could come back on him after discharge". No where on here have I heard that so I made sure to look in the yellow pages specifically for "bankruptcy attorneys".
The one we are going to see specializes (according to his ad) in only BWI, DWI, Traffic and Bankruptcy. I realize that this may be an irrational/pessimistic thought, but I am almost thinking he is maybe "too good to be true"? He offers 2 free consultations, makes weekend/evening appts. For chapt. 7 flat fee of $600 (which can be made in payments) and for Chapt. 13 I was told that he would be able to quote that at our 2nd consult, as they tend to be slightly higher, due to the following the case for the next 3 years. In any case if filing 13, he would expect half the payment by filing time and the other half would be repaid to him through the trustee's repay plan? I am hoping that this is someone who is truly understanding and not someone who is so desperate for clients that he is willing to extend all these curtesy things? Opinions anyone?
 


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planner

Guest
I haven't retained an attorney yet, but when I go shopping the first thing I will do is look at the 341 schedule for the most popular attorney.

If I can't find one that way, I will look for a former trustee.
 

Ladynred

Senior Member
The 341 docket is a good place to start for sure. If you see the same lawyer(s) there ALL the time, then you know that he/she at least has some clue as to what's going on with bankruptcy. I realize its harder to find a 'specialist' in small rural areas, but BK is so rampant that there should be at least ONE guy/gal around who knows his way around a BK court.

If you can avoid it, I'd definitely stay away from 'general practice' types if you can - BK is complicated and if they don't do it often enough to know it inside out.. you could end up with big problems.
 
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chiche

Guest
I'm also in missouri,

We hired an attorney out of the phone book first one on the page( big mistake )never talked with this attorney nor met with him everything was done over the phone with his secretary and through the mail.This attorney was 70 miles from where we lived. This was in september of 2002, To make a very long story short Our case was dismissed in january of this year for substancial abuse saying we could fund a chapter 13,Which the secretrary made a mistake on my husbands income of 400.00 more than what he was making. It was a mess from the start. We now have filed chapter 7 again through a very well known attorney in our town who I got several recomendations on, and he is great. I'ts been 5 weeks since our 341 and so far so good.I would do like the other posters said and check the 341 dockets.
 
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WhiteRaven

Guest

Ladynred

Senior Member
Have you tried calling the courthouse and asking if there's anything available for the docket information. Since you're not looking for specifics on any case, just looking for what lawyers are representing the most cases, you may get some information.

I have Pacer access.. but its limited, generally, to specific cases already filed.
 
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anadude

Guest
if you've got a decent size local bar near you, give it a call and ask for some names of attorneys on its bankruptcy section, lawyers of that section just talk bankruptcy all the time.
 

HomeGuru

Senior Member
anadude said:
if you've got a decent size local bar near you, give it a call and ask for some names of attorneys on its bankruptcy section, lawyers of that section just talk bankruptcy all the time.
**A: there are decent sized local bars where I live. Some even are frequented by BK attorneys.
 
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WhiteRaven

Guest
Ladynred, I am not sure which courthouse we would be assigned to, since there are five in my district?
So far I have been unable to find a local bar (other than the ones HomeGuru mentioned... have those running out our ears here)

We did meet with our attorney last evening and while I know from reading other posts that its not the warm fuzzy feelings to look for, I have to say that so far I am impressed.

We live in a pretty rural area (town pop. not quite 2,800) This man has 25 years experience and has done "over a 1000" bk cases. He went over the basics with us, gave us a very informative brochure about Bk procedures and how it affects our credit. He also sent us home with a worksheet to fill out, but made sure we went over it completely while we were there so there would be less confusion when we actually filled it out. He is also urging us to file ch 7 rather than 13, even though he would make more money on ch 13. He was also very polite (honestly we feel so bad about this that I was almost expecting to be treated like some kind of scum or whatever) He also went over his fees, which include helping us clean up our credit report after all is said and done. I know the time for judgement will be after the 341 meeting and how quickly things get filed etc. but I guess I was wondering if this sounds good to those who have experienced working with bk attorneys? Thanks for the replies and also the patience as I continue to post. As I have been reading the boards I've noticed someone with the name of "nervousnellie" and thought that would have been appropriate in my case too!
 

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