The one thing that every person should remember when it comes to hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Harrisburg is the hire should never be based on price alone. Now each case is different, but typically it will cost a few thousand dollars to hire a good lawyer to handle a bankruptcy case. The mistake that some people make is they hire the cheapest bankruptcy lawyer they can find. They have tens of thousands of dollars of debt, and they are looking to save a few hundred dollars. This does not make sense when one takes a moment to look at the big picture. Instead, the person just needs to hire based on experience, comfort, and affordability.
Now when it comes to hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Harrisburg, a person should also take the time to interview several candidates. Most lawyers offer a free initial consultation. Typically they will allot 30 minutes to an hour to hear a case. This is the time to find out if the bankruptcy lawyer is a good fit or not. What a person should do is pick at least three potential candidates and evaluate each one during the initial consultation. They can then make an informed decision on the right legal representation.
The Initial Consultation
Going into the initial consultation a person needs to bring with them a prepared list of questions to ask. There is not a lot of time so having questions prepared ahead of time will enable a person to get the most out of their initial consultation. A good place to start would be to ask questions about the lawyer’s experience, their legal background.
After going over the basics of the interview, the next step is to go over the details that are specific to the bankruptcy case. To help get the most out of the initial consultation a person should bring with them all of their financial documents. This includes proof of income, financial assets, and deeds to properties, outstanding debt, and even documents from collectors. They should all be organized and categorized for easy referencing.
Finally, the questions should turn to the legal fees involved. This is more than just arriving at a base number. A person should ask the right questions to determine exactly what fees will be charged and how they will be charged. Not all lawyers have the same billing method and not all lawyers charge the same hourly fees. Some even charge a flat fee. Finally, a person should ask about any other potential fees that may come up later.
The most important part of hiring a bankruptcy lawyer is to be both prepared and informed throughout the entire process.
John M Hyams is a bankruptcy lawyer for Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Hummelstown and the surrounding areas. He caters to both personal and business bankruptcy. The areas that John M Hyams practices include Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies as well as business law, debtor and creditor law and real estate.
