Make Sure Your Bankruptcy Lawyer in Denver Has the Experience, Commitment, and Skill for Your Case
Filing for bankruptcy is not a decision to take lightly. Similarly, choosing a bankruptcy attorney to represent you in your debt settlement case shouldn’t be taken lightly either. You need to make sure your debt settlement attorney is committed to your case, skilled in your type of situation, and dedicated to giving you the best possible outcome.
Before you hire a bankruptcy lawyer, consider asking these questions to make sure they’re the right fit.
What areas of law do you practice?
Just as you may see a medical specialist for the best diagnosis and treatment of an illness or injury, an attorney specializing in debt relief (i.e., bankruptcy and debt settlement) is likely to be a better fit than one who covers a hodgepodge of areas (personal injury, divorce, employment law, etc.).
Learn about the lawyer’s focus and understand their commitment to bankruptcy law.
What experience do you have with bankruptcy law?
Have they represented people in a lot of cases? How many years have they been a lawyer, specifically one working in debt relief law? Have they represented people who are in similar situations to you?
The Wink Law Firm, for example, are experienced bankruptcy attorneys in Denver with over twenty years of combined experience.
A brand new attorney may still do a great job, but an experienced debt settlement lawyer is more likely to have dealt with your type of case before, have built relationships with the court and opposing lawyers in your area, and have a more thorough knowledge from working in this field for a long time.
Why’d you choose to specialize in bankruptcy law?
Perhaps your bankruptcy lawyer has a personal reason for why they got into the field. Get a sense of their commitment and interest. What drives them to be an outstanding bankruptcy attorney? What made them choose bankruptcy law over the many other areas of law they could’ve chosen for their focus? Is it just a paycheck for them or a desire to help people obtain debt relief help when they most desperately need it?
In what geographical areas do you practice?
Make sure your bankruptcy lawyer practices law in your particular geographical area. Has this lawyer worked in the courthouse where your case would be reviewed?
The Wink Law Firm is a Denver-based bankruptcy law firm that also serves the surrounding areas, including Broomfield, Lakewood, Aurora, Westminster, Arvada, and more.
Have you worked on this type of case before?
Each bankruptcy case has differences. Is it related to medical debt? Credit card debt? Back rent? Small business debt? Something else? And there are other specifics that make each case unique. Interview your potential lawyer to see if they’ve worked on your type of case before and what their experience was like. Were the outcomes successful? Do they have the skills for this particular case?
What education and associations do you have?
Learn what law school the bankruptcy lawyer attended, as well as any other degrees they may hold. There are also professional associations that a lawyer may belong to – ask about those. This shows a dedication to their field. Many associations have certain requirements their members must meet to maintain membership, so this can be a sign your lawyer is skilled, up-to-date, and continually improving their abilities in this area of law.
Colorado bankruptcy lawyers Michael Wink of The Wink Law Firm earned his law degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Additional areas of study include business administration, finance, engineering, political science, and more, creating an extensive knowledge of debt relief situations and solutions.
Which type of debt settlement is right for this case?
After sharing your situation, learn what the lawyer would recommend. Is the right fit debt settlement – where you work out an arrangement with a creditor to pay off a debt you owe over a period of time or at a reduced rate? Is bankruptcy the right fit? And if so, which type of bankruptcy, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
How to file for bankruptcy?
If bankruptcy is the choice for your case, learn the steps for filing for bankruptcy to make sure you complete everything correctly in a timely manner. Ask what paperwork you need to complete and what help the lawyer will be providing, as you gather all your documents and financial numbers. Understand all the steps and what outcomes may occur to make filing for bankruptcy go more smoothly.
How much is your retainer?
A retainer is money used to secure a lawyer’s services. The retainer is put into a client trust account (known as a COLTAF account). When the attorney has done work that earns those funds, the attorney is then able to transfer those funds into their own business account. This retainer may cover all the costs of your case, or it may not.
What other fees or costs do you charge?
Learn about other fees or costs you may be charged, such as the attorney’s hourly rate and a court filing fee. It’s also a good idea to learn about the attorney’s billing practices – how you’ll be billed, what kind of communication this will involve, and anything else to expect during the process.
What do I need to do to get started?
You don’t want to enter into bankruptcy hastily. It’s an important decision that requires deep thought and a smart plan. But you also can’t wait too long. The debt will just pile up, you may be served with a debt lawsuit, and you may lose your valuable assets. Once you’re ready to begin filing for bankruptcy, understand what steps you should take immediately, such as stopping payment on all outstanding debt and to whom to direct any nagging calls from creditors.
To get started interviewing debt settlement attorneys, call The Wink Law Firm at (720) 523-0620 or fill out our online questionnaire. The initial consultation is completely free. Come with your questions, and leave with the help you need.