Questions to Ask a Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyer

Many Central Florida residents are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are considering personal bankruptcy. If you are thinking about filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it is critical to have an experienced bankruptcy attorney in Orlando who can represent you throughout the complicated bankruptcy process. Although it is possible to file a bankruptcy case on your own, U.S. bankruptcy law is incredibly complex, and even a minor mistake can result in your bankruptcy case being dismissed or your discharge being at risk.

Since you will need to hire an Orlando bankruptcy attorney, it is important to know what questions to ask when you meet with a potential lawyer. The following is a list of questions that can help you to determine whether a bankruptcy attorney is the right person to work on your case with you.

How Often Do You Handle Consumer Bankruptcy Cases? 

There are many different types of bankruptcy, and some attorneys have more experience handling business bankruptcies or complex consumer bankruptcy cases for particularly high earners. You will want to get a sense of how often the lawyer works on consumer bankruptcy cases, and what kind of experience the lawyer has handling cases like yours. The more experience the attorney has in helping regular consumers with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, the better the experience will be for you.

What Type of Bankruptcy Can I File For? 

In looking at the documents you bring with you to your appointment with a bankruptcy lawyer, that lawyer should be able to give you a clear sense of whether you are eligible to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. As you might know, in order to be eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you will need to pass the “means test.” Then, in order to be eligible for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will need to be able to show that you have the ability to make regular payments on a reorganization plan over a period of three to five years. A bankruptcy attorney should be able to provide you with clear information about the type of bankruptcy that is best suited to your personal circumstances.

How Much Will My Bankruptcy Case Cost? 

Not only should a consumer bankruptcy lawyer in Orlando be able to provide you with clear information about the filing fees associated with the type of bankruptcy you plan to file for, but a lawyer should also give you a clear sense of what you should expect to pay overall in attorneys’ fees for the bankruptcy case.

How Much Time Will My Bankruptcy Case Take? 

While it can be difficult to say with absolute certainty how much time a particular bankruptcy case will take, an experienced consumer bankruptcy attorney should be able to give you a sense of the general timeline for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case versus for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.

Contact an Orlando Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyer 

If you are considering consumer bankruptcy, you should seek advice from one of our experienced Orlando bankruptcy attorneys as soon as possible. Contact Anderson & Ferrin for more information.

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