The Hiring of a Chapter 7 Lawyer

Hiring a Chapter 7 lawyer can be one of the most intimidating steps you take on your road back to being debt free. Individuals who have high amounts of credit card debt often find themselves struggling to pay back what they owe. Medical bills, taxes and student loans add up. While not all of these debts can be forgiven, some can. If you cannot pay your bills any longer, it may be necessary to consider during to another solution for your financial hardships. That may mean turning to an attorney for help.

What This Attorney Can Do

Ten years ago, it was common for an attorney to tell you it was okay to run up your credit cards before filing or to hide assets. Today, this is not the case. Bankruptcy laws now make it very specific that the Chapter 7 lawyer needs to help you through the process without allowing, encouraging or telling you to do anything that could be a violation of law. This professional's job is even more intense.

- He or she needs to qualify you for bankruptcy by determining if you pass the Means Test. This test determines if, by the court's requirements, you have the financial means to pay your debt or not.

- The attorney must help you to get through financial training and education. This process requires that you to take the mandated educational programs prior to filing.

- The attorney may also encourage you to avoid filing bankruptcy if there is another solution that could work for you. This may include debt consolidation, debt settlement, or credit counseling.

Individuals who need to work with a Chapter 7 lawyer need to select one that has the ability to do these things. However, this is still someone that is representing you in a court of law. That means you need to trust this professional and be willing to work with him or her through the process.

What to Look for in a Pro

Before you hire a Chapter 7 lawyer, be sure he or she has specific experience in this area of the law. You also want to ensure this bankruptcy attorney can provide you with the advice you need in a candid way. Is this the best option for you? Is there another way to avoid the long-term implications?

Choosing a Chapter 7 lawyer is a process. The first step involves a consultation. Visit the office of the lawyers and discuss your case. Determine if you pass the Means Test and what other steps you must go through to become debt free through bankruptcy. For many individuals, this is not an easy step. One of the smartest things you do is this, with the aid of an attorney.