Attorneys of All Practices Are Switching to Bankruptcy Law Due to Economic Consequences of COVID-19

Attorneys Switching to Bankruptcy | Here’s How to Tell Who Knows What They’re Doing

Pandemic may cause an increase in bankruptcy attorneys. Attorneys switching to bankruptcy

Many Attorneys are Switching to Bankruptcy as Filing Rates will Soar.

During the last recession in 2008, the legal industry saw an interesting phenomenon: attorneys who had previously practiced different types of law, such as Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorneys and Nevada criminal defense firms, switching their practice to represent bankruptcy clients. There is no shame in supplying what the market is demanding. But that doesn’t mean you need to risk your case and financial security to support an attorney through a recession. There are steps you can take to ensure you are represented by a competent and experienced bankruptcy attorney.

Check Out their Reviews:  It should be easy to see who has been doing bankruptcy for a significant period of time and if they know what they are doing.  Every review has a date stamp on it and usually a star ranking.  Additionally, don’t read the reviews posted on their web site, look at an actual site that has verified reviews such as:  Google, Facebook, or Yelp.  Made up reviews on a law firms web site are not all that reliable.
Once you have located trusted reviews, read them, make sure the reviews are about bankruptcy and not some other practice of law.  You can tell what type of law is their specialty.  Make a wise choice and pick a firm that is a true bankruptcy law firm and not a firm that just decided to throw their hat in the ring because there will be an influx of bankruptcy filings.

Ask For a Referral

Find a referral. The Nevada State Bar should be able to refer you to a bankruptcy attorney that has been practicing bankruptcy for more than a few months. Thus, if you are comfortable discussing your situation with: others, friends or family who have filed bankruptcy may have a referral for you as well.
Additionally, please read reviews, and take note of how far they go back. You should be wary of attorneys who have a sudden spate of bankruptcy reviews around when the pandemic started.  Also, be suspect of attorneys that haven’t had any bankruptcy related reviews recently.  A true bankruptcy attorney will have a steady stream of reviews.  Additionally, if an attorney says they have x years of experience, make sure you confirm that it is x years of bankruptcy experience.

A Few Things to Look for When Identifying a Bankruptcy Attorney

Free Bankruptcy Consultations. Someone who has been practicing bankruptcy a while knows that their potential clients don’t have extra money lying around to spend on consultations, especially now. They also aren’t afraid to answer questions about bankruptcy based on your specific case details.  Plus, it is pretty standard that lawyers who practice bankruptcy consistently offer free consultations.

Bankruptcy Exemptions. Have you lived in a different state recently? Do you own property such as a vehicle, artwork, firearms, or a home? While even seasoned Las Vegas bankruptcy attorneys probably don’t have every exemption amount memorized, someone who has been working in bankruptcy for a while should at least be able to provide an estimate on the exemption values for your properties.  Experienced Nevada debt relief lawyers should readily and easily know the answers to most of your initial BK questions.

$0 Down Payment Plans- Like free consultations, this is another thing bankruptcy attorneys know most of their clients need. It isn’t exactly simple to offer such a payment plan, and takes time to learn the legal terminology supporting it, draft $0 down contracts, etc. You should also look out for attorneys who advertise as $0 down but require you to pay the $335 filing fee up front or have other hidden fees.  Chances are these attorneys have switched to bankruptcy recently and are unfamiliar with the recent Zero Down Bankruptcy programs.

Counsel for 341 Bankruptcy Hearings

341 Meeting of Creditors- Your attorney should not be nervous about your 341 Meeting of Creditors, and should have a good idea of what questions the trustee will ask you.

Bankruptcy Timelines– An experienced bankruptcy professional should be able to provide you with approximate timelines for your case. For example, your 341 Meeting of Creditors will be 30-45 days after your case is filed, and your Chapter 7 case will be eligible for discharge 60 days after your 341 Meeting of Creditors. Anyone who has been working in bankruptcy for a while should be able to recite facts like that at the drop of a hat. 

Seek Experienced Assistance from Our Las Vegas Debt Relief Team

If you are struggling financially during these already-stressful times, don’t leave your financial future in the hands of someone who is inexperienced in bankruptcy. You deserve competent and knowledgeable representation with payment options that work for you. Call today to schedule your free consultation– we can answer your questions, provide you with a quote for representation, and explain how we can file your bankruptcy 100% remote without you needing to break quarantine.