Bankruptcy filings in the (United States~U. S.} are sharply on the rise and the desire to find a competent bankruptcy attorneys is prevelent now more than ever. Nationwide bankruptcy filings this past year topped 1.4 million, icreasing from 1.7 million in 2008 according to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. With this pace we may experience the amount of bankruptcy filing top 2 million in 2010 and the amount of bankruptcy lawyers and law offices provide bankruptcy increase as well to provide for the people filing personal bankruptcy. The web is packed with bankruptcy attorneys and bankruptcy law offices with marketing slogans like “ $100.00 get’s you started” and “free consultation” or “bankruptcy as low as” etc., but watch out for bargain bankruptcy attorneys! When it comes to advertisements that proclaimadvertising “$100.00 get’s you started”, what do you really think you get for $100.00? You’re right, ZIPPO! Also, if they offer you a free consultation make sure it’s with the bankruptcy lawyer that’s actually filing your bankruptcy. The most common type of bankruptcy is chapter 7, but since the utilization of the “means test” in 2005 filing chapter 7 bankruptcies is more severe nowadays and more consumers must now file chapter 13. While a chapter 7 allows anyone filing bankruptcy to completely eliminate their debt a chapter 13 is a repayment plan, typically lasting 5 years. A problem with bankruptcy is that it’s not an precise science and large bankruptcy law firms, for example Legal Helpers are recieving a lot of complaints from consumers attempting to get a discounted price when filing bankruptcy. The complete business model of these law firms is to get a $100.00 commitment so the consumer will not go else where to hire a lawyer. ”It’s ridiculous, what do you think a bankruptcy attorney is really going to do for you for $100.00” says James D. Zhou, bankruptcy lawyer in California and senior partner with the Law Offices of Zhou & Chini. Zhou goes on to say, “bankruptcy is complicated and consumers should look at paying a reasonable fee to a bankruptcy attorney to get a good resolution. Horror stories about these large bankruptcy firms are everywhere, these firms should consider being upfront and honest with their clients and tell them $100.00 is just to get them to commit to file bankruptcy with their office. Bankruptcy lawyers should typically accept payment plans but none we know of will file your bankruptcy petition unless you are paid in full”.
While the price for filing a chapter 7 throughout the country may range from $1200.00 to $4,000 dependant on the location someone lives in and the complexity of the bankruptcy, the average cost for a chapter 7 in California is about $2500.00 and $4,000 for a chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you try to find the cheapest bankruptcy lawyer on the world wide web you may end up with a larger problem than the reason you’re filing bankruptcy. Typically when someone accepts they’re going bankrupt is when they start to scout out a bankruptcy attorney and price is their first priority. Expect to pay a fair and reasonable price for a bankruptcy lawyer and don’t think cheaper is better, or $100.00 get’s you something beyone a concern. Most honest bankruptcy lawyers will provide for you to make payments and then file your bankruptcy when you are fully paid up. Bankruptcy law firms like Zhou & Chini are all over the internet and typically won’t discuss their fees to file bankruptcy until they see the complexity of your case. While a uncomplicated chapter 7 may not involve reaffirmation of debt or motions to avoid a lien it may only cost you $1500.00 in Riverside County but as much as $2,500 in Orange County or Los Angeles County. When you hire a bankruptcy attorney or even consider a free bankruptcy consultation you should ask your bankruptcy attorney if he or she will be doing the actual bankruptcy filing or a paralegal. It might be worth a little more to make sure your case is handled properly so you don’t get your case dismissed and lose out all together. While you can file a simple chapter 7 with a paralegal, you will expect to get better results with a bankruptcy lawyer that offers you a personalized service and properly explicate the bankruptcy process. If you are a California resident and need to file bankruptcy chapter 7 or chapter 13 remember this article, and remember if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. To speak directly with a bankruptcy attorney or just to get more bankruptcy information click here www.BankruptcyAttorneyinCalifornia.com
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