Choosing an Experienced, Professional Bankruptcy Lawyer You Can Count On

If you are strongly considering filing bankruptcy to find some relief from the financial burdens that can weigh so heavily on our lives, perhaps the most important question you might have is how to choose a bankruptcy attorney who can help you.

Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in the world as you go through the bankruptcy process. We are confident that the experienced bankruptcy lawyers at The Brad Hendricks Law Firm are among the best Arkansas Bankruptcy attorneys in the State of Arkansas. Still, we understand that this is your life, and that you may have some doubts and concerns when it comes to choosing a bankruptcy attorney who is right for you.

To help you, here are some tips recommended to help you find the absolute best bankruptcy attorney to handle your bankruptcy filing:

Don't procrastinate. As unappealing as bankruptcy may sound to you, you should begin researching and investigating Arkansas bankruptcy lawyers as soon as you believe you may need one. The earlier you start the process of selecting an attorney, the more time your attorney will have to evaluate your financial situation, to make an appropriate recommendation regarding whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for you, and to prepare your petition for bankruptcy.

Ask around. Chances are, you know people who might be able to recommend a skillful bankruptcy attorney. Ask your friends, relatives, or other trusted individuals or organizations for a referral. Call the American Bar Association or the Arkansas Bar Association to see whether a list of local bankruptcy attorneys is available. Although neither organization will recommend a specific attorney, a list will give you some guidance in your search for a lawyer. You may even have used an attorney in the past who might be able to recommend an excellent bankruptcy attorney who can help you. You should know that bankruptcy law is a specialty, however, and if your attorney offers to help you with your bankruptcy, make sure he or she is very familiar with the Bankruptcy Code.

Learn more about the bankruptcy court, trustees, and panels. There is a specific court in Arkansas dedicated to bankruptcy matters. Take some time to visit the Court's website to learn more about the court, bankruptcy trustees, and the judges that serve the State of Arkansas. You may even spend a day at bankruptcy court to observe bankruptcy lawyers in action and to learn the names of local attorneys who specialize in bankruptcy law. Arkansas also has two bar advisory committees consisting of experienced bankruptcy attorneys, one in the Eastern District of Arkansas, and one in the Western District of Arkansas.

Call Arkansas Bankruptcy Attorneys and schedule an office visit or consultation. Perhaps one of the valuable ways to choose a bankruptcy attorney who is right for you is to actually meet with bankruptcy attorneys in your area. This initial visit should be free. If a bankruptcy lawyer refuses to meet with you at no charge, there are many others who will. You should not pay a fee for the privilege of determining whether the attorney is a good fit for your individual case. During your visit to the bankruptcy lawyer's office, look around. The environment in which the attorney works may provide valuable insight into how a lawyer will handle your case. Is the office neat and organized? Are there case files stacked a mile high on the lawyer's desk and floor? The level of organization you see in the attorney's office may be some indication of that attorney's organization when it comes to handling legal issues.

Ask Questions.  When you meet with a bankruptcy attorney, you have a wonderful opportunity to ask questions and to evaluate the lawyer's responses to your questions. Is the lawyer evasive, or does he or she answer your questions with candor? If you feel like the lawyer is being evasive during your investigative process, he or she will probably be evasive with you when it comes to your particular bankruptcy petition. You deserve better than that. Here are some questions that you might ask:

• What certifications do you have?
• How many bankruptcies have you handled during your career and how many do you average in a month or year?
• How many of those bankruptcies are business filings?
• How much of your practice is dedicated to bankruptcy cases?  (Be wary of attorneys who dedicate less than 50% of their practices to bankruptcy matters).
• Are you involved in any voluntary bankruptcy bar groups?
• Do the local bankruptcy judges know who you are? 
• Can you name all of the local Chapter 7 Trustees and do they all know who you are? (You will want an attorney who knows the bankruptcy judges and trustees in your area, and who is, in turn, known by representatives of the bankruptcy court).
• Who is the local Chapter 13 Trustee and does that person know who you are?
• Who is the United States Trustee for this area and do they know who you are?
• Will I have access to you to discuss my bankruptcy petition?
• If you are unavailable, who will be able to answer my questions?
• Can I meet and talk to the people with whom I will be working?
• How long do you anticipate my bankruptcy will take?
• How does the bankruptcy process work?

An experienced bankruptcy lawyer will not be offended and will be happy to answer these and other questions you may have.

You need to be comfortable with your bankruptcy lawyer and any clerk or paralegal that might assist with your case. When responding to your questions, was the attorney thorough and informative? Were the responses patiently given, providing the sense that the attorney values your time and will dedicate himself or herself to your case? Does the bankruptcy attorney seem experienced and knowledgeable about bankruptcy law? Do you feel like the attorney or paralegal is trying to rush you out the door? These are considerations to keep in mind when asking questions during your initial investigation of a bankruptcy lawyer.

Cheaper is not always Better. When you are facing bankruptcy, you may not have much cash at your disposal, but as with most things in life, when it comes to hiring a bankruptcy lawyer, the axiom, "You get what you pay for" applies. You need an attorney who knows the Bankruptcy Code and who will best represent your interest, and this is rarely provided by the cheapest attorney you can find. By the same token, you should be wary of bankruptcy lawyers who seem to charge a significantly higher amount than other firms you have investigated. Consider contacting your local bar association to learn what fees are fair and appropriate in your area and keep that in mind when you are searching for any attorney. You should also ask each bankruptcy lawyer whether affordable payment plans are available.

Experience Counts.  You need a bankruptcy attorney who is very familiar with bankruptcy laws, rules, and procedures. In fact, your lawyer should specialize in bankruptcy law. An experienced lawyer with a strong reputation and track record in bankruptcy matters is vital. The best recommendation for an attorney is a satisfied client. Look for positive testimonials and recommendations from other people who have been where you are now.

Know What You are Buying. When you are investigating bankruptcy lawyers, ask them about their fees and what is included in the attorney's quoted fees. Learn what is covered by your lawyer's fee. Know your contract, and make sure your agreement clearly sets out what services will be provided during your bankruptcy. Some cases may require an expert, such as a forensic accountant. While such expenses may be unavoidable, you need to know whether your fees include these expenses, or not.

Be Involved. When you hire a bankruptcy lawyer, you should have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your lawyer will be able to handle your case. That does not mean, however, that you should simply sit back and relax, remaining oblivious to the work that is being down in your case. Pay attention to the documents that are filed with the court. Make sure all of your creditors are listed when appropriate, and that none of your creditors has been omitted. The more involved you are, the greater your chances of having your bankruptcy filing proceed smoothly.

For an Arkansas Bankruptcy Lawyer You Can Count On, Call The Brad Hendricks Law Firm.

We know that you have a choice of many lawyers to help you and your family, and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve you. You are not just a file or case number to us. You are a valued part of who we are as attorneys, and why we have devoted our lives to helping others at difficult times in their lives.

When you count on The Brad Hendricks Law Firm for your bankruptcy needs, you will have the benefit of knowing that your lawyer is dedicated exclusively to bankruptcy matters. Our attorneys have served the United States Bankruptcy Court prior to joining The Brad Hendricks Law Firm and are very familiar with the court, the judges, the trustees and other representatives. Our attorneys are also involved with organizations such as the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association Bankruptcy Division, the Arkansas Bar Association, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, the Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers, and the Pulaski County Bar Association.

Please call us at (501) 588-0549 or (866) 676-5096 or email our firm today to schedule a free consultation with experienced, professional bankruptcy lawyers you can count on.

Problems Other than Bankruptcy?

Regardless of your legal needs, The Brad Hendricks Law Firm may be able to help, with the skill and experience to resolve your legal problem. If you or a loved one has been injured by the acts of another because of a dog bite or other animal attack, car wreck, trucking accident, a motorcycle collision, or medical malpractice on the part of your doctor, our personal injury lawyers can help. If you are disabled and need help with a disability claim, contact an Arkansas Social Security lawyer you can count on. Perhaps you require assistance with a contractual matter or other business or commercial dispute, or are facing a divorce and need counsel when resolving custody and child support issues. The Brad Hendricks Law Firm can help solve your problems as professionally and cost-effectively as possible, serving as an advocate for you and your family.

Whether you need assistance with a specific legal issue or are looking to establish an on-going relationship with a law firm, please call our law firm at (501) 588-0549 or toll free at (866) 676-5096 to arrange a free initial consultation one of our attorneys today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to serve our current and potential clients. All online inquiries are answered within 48 hours. Please contact us today. For your legal needs, you can count on us!

The Brad Hendricks Law Firm proudly serves clients throughout Arkansas, including Arkadelphia, Benton, Conway, El Dorado, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, and West Memphis, as well as numerous counties throughout the State of Arkansas, including Arkansas County, Baxter County, Benton County, Bradley County, Calhoun County, Clark County, Columbia County, Conway County, Crittenden County, Faulkner County, Garland County, Hempstead County, Hot Spring County, Izard County, Lawrence County, Lonoke County, Monroe County, Nevada County, Pike County, Poinsett County, Polk County, Pope County, Prairie County, Pulaski County, Saline County, Sharp County, Stone County, Washington County, White County, Woodruff County, and Yell County, and all other counties in the State of Arkansas.

We are a Debt Relief Agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.