Working Effectively With Bankruptcy Lawyers
Written by William Blake on August 26th, 2008What happens if you are thinking of filing for bankruptcy but you want nothing to do with bankruptcy lawyers? The reality is that there is no way around hiring one if your intention is to file for bankruptcy. On the upside, there are many qualified bankruptcy lawyers in America. The downside: the average fee for a bankruptcy lawyer is about $2,000.
Lawsuit, Anyone?
American law has become so incredibly complex that lawyers are specialists in a particular matter of law. There are many types of lawyers, so if you are thinking of declaring bankruptcy, youre better off hiring a bankruptcy lawyer and not a family or business lawyer. If you’re having trouble deciding which lawyer to hire, ask a lawyer you know for recommendations, or check out the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA).
Professional Conduct
Bankruptcy lawyers are under the same code of professional conduct as other kinds of lawyers or any kind of professional for that matter. Bankruptcy lawyers will not need to work with you as intensely as a defense attorney or even a divorce attorney would. The relationship established with your bankruptcy lawyer should be cordial but distant.
In other words, although a business lunch between a bankruptcy lawyer and his/her client is standard protocol, shopping with or cooking for your bankruptcy lawyer is not. You are not required to give your lawyer a Christmas present, or even to hold the door open for him or her when their hands are full. You are, however, required to be truthful with them and to pay their fees.
You need to have a relationship at least as professional as you would establish with your dentist. Like dentists, bankruptcy lawyers need to be able to be easily contacted and be able to explain what they are doing for your case. Unlike dentists, bankruptcy lawyers should not be giving you laughing gas, even if you really need it. Also unlike dentists, bankruptcy lawyers are not allowed to work for their families or co-habitors. This is considered unethical behavior, as there is a conflict of interest.
Any professional situation requires both you and your lawyer to be clad, even if you are both living in nudist camps. Both you and your lawyer must conform to the legal norm in dress, hairstyle, manners and preventable bodily odors when in court. And both of you must remember that the Judge is God, or at least a benevolent Anti-Christ.
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Tags: credit
