In the movies, in jokes, and sometimes in real life attorneys are perceived as an unreliable and pushy bunch who overcharge and use their often overbearingly outgoing personalities mixed with manipulation to get what they want.

If you are looking to file for bankruptcy you should take all of these perceptions into account when looking for a good attorney to represent you. Also keep in mind that each individual is just that - an individual. There are many attorneys out there that are as far from fitting the "lawyer stereotype" described above as you could possibly imagine.

Finding Your Attorney

First and foremost, ask around. Do you have friends who have been in the same financial situation as you are? Are they now out of it and seem to have moved on without much trouble? These people are the best place to start getting referrals.

Second, if you don't know anyone who has declared bankruptcy it can't hurt to do an internet search for lawyers in your area. Perhaps using Google would be a good way to find a list of qualified lawyers.

Third, the phone book. Attorneys will spend a lot of money advertising in the yellow pages and you may be able to find a qualified candidate to help you out there.

Fourth, print and other media. Check the newspaper ads, read recent articles about bankruptcy which might mention a local attorney's name, and keep an eye out for those ever famous billboards. Take down the phone numbers and call around. You might be able to find a competent attorney for less money in legal fees than the one you just got off the phone with.

In short, be an educated consumer. Now is the time to take action and researching the person who will be the one to make your life a lot easier is just the first step in being a responsible citizen.

Bankruptcy Questions

Many people have bankruptcy questions ranging from "What is Chapter Eleven versus Chapter Seven?" to "What is bankruptcy and how will it affect my future credit rating?"

A reputable attorney will be able to answer these questions and more for you. If they don't know the answer right off the bat they should definitely offer to research it and let you know what they find out. Be leery of any attorney who is willing to accept your money but who is not interested in doing the work that it will take to get your case through the courts as soon as possible.

Be aware of the fact that you did not get into this situation overnight and you will not be able to get out of it overnight either. It will take time for a dedicated professional attorney to look through your debt and devise the best plan and the best way to declare bankruptcy so that you can keep as many of your belongings as possible and have a solid financial foot to stand on for the future.