If you’ve decided that filing for bankruptcy in Minnesota is right for you, then you’ll have a number of questions, and things you want to know before you can choose a bankruptcy attorney. This is why your initial meeting with a bankruptcy attorney is so important.
There are many to choose from, and so you’ll want to make sure that talk to several of them to make sure that you don’t rush into anything.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. Lasts around 30 minutes
Your initial meeting will be around 30 minutes, and will involve answering a lot of questions about your financial situation. Some questions will be quite uncomfortable, but answering them will make it easier for your bankruptcy lawyer to help you.
2. Be organized
It’s essential that you are organized and that you bring everything you need with you. It’s better to bring the paperwork, rather than a laptop or a printout of your current situation.
3. Financial information
Like any other Minnesota bankruptcy lawyers, we’ll ask you for a lot of financial information, so you’ll need to have it to hand.
We’ll want to know about your assets, loans, mortgage, and other outgoings, and whether you’re owed money, and more.
4. Questions to ask your bankruptcy attorney
We expect you to have questions for us too, so we’re happy to talk out costs, the typical timescale of a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, our experience, our success rate, and our processes.
5. Who will be handling your case?
We’ll tell you who will be handling your case, so you know who will be in contact with you.
We understand that this is an extremely difficult time for you, and you want some consistency and empathy as we help you to clear your debts.
6. Write down everything
Rather than using a laptop, tablet, or your cellphone, bring a pen and pad to write things down at your initial meeting with a bankruptcy attorney.
You won’t be worrying about wi-fi or finding a power outlet to charge your device.
You might also want to prepare some questions of your own, so that you make sure you find out everything you need to know.
7. Communication
You’ll want to know how your bankruptcy attorney will contact you.
Will it be via a letter? Will they call you? Will they email you?
If you’re not opening your mail or answering your cellphone, then you won’t want your attorney to send you a letter or call you with important information.
8. Gut feeling / Trust
You’ll need to trust your bankruptcy lawyer, so if you’ve got a gut feeling that they’re not right for you, then go with your gut instinct.
Because you can’t keep filing for bankruptcy, if you get it wrong or make the wrong choice, you can’t try again for several years.
9. Fees
You’ll want to make sure that you discuss fees with us.
Although we’re bound to say it, we wouldn’t recommend that you choose your bankruptcy attorney on price alone.
Surely the years of experience, number of successful cases and peace of mind is worth more than jus saving a few dollars.
10. Take your time
We’d don’t wasn’t you to rush into filing for bankruptcy without speaking to others, so we won’t pressure you.
However, we do recommend that if you’re being hassled by creditors and really struggling to make ends meet, then you make a decision and choose the right Minnesota bankruptcy attorney for you soon.
Conclusion
Now you know what to expect from your initial meeting with a bankruptcy attorney, you can be well prepared, and understand what they expect from you, in order to help you with your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.
If you need help and advice to see whether filing for bankruptcy is right for you, why not fill out our Bankruptcy Evaluation Form or Contact Us at 612.824.4357 now and speak to an experienced Minnesota bankruptcy attorney today?
