Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Getting a Good Bankruptcy Lawyer

There is nothing worse than having to seek bankruptcy relief. Personal bankruptcy is an extremely severe matter which can ruin the actual life of numerous people as well as render them completely hopeless. Prior to moving forward with this article you should explain personal bankruptcy and what it requires. Bankruptcy is also known as financial distress and is a legitimate state of being not able to repay financial obligations due in order to lenders.

Personal bankruptcy is applicable to both of these individuals as well as organizations. When personal bankruptcy happens to a business, many creditors will normally document a personal bankruptcy petition in order to recover a percentage from the money owed for them through the organization or business. This particular leads to the organization seeking the providers of a bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy attorney is actually somebody that is conversant along with personal bankruptcy law and will be able to protect you from the request filed by the creditors. Personal bankruptcy attorneys are very expensive and you'll have to prove to them that you could outlay cash before securing their providers.

Tips about how to hire a great bankruptcy lawyer?
The increase in personal bankruptcy petitions has led to an increase in interest in bankruptcy attorneys. It has led to an increase in the number of lawyers who are seeking to create a quick buck at the cost of borrowers who do not know any better, while offering very poor legal services in exchange. You should be sure that the bankruptcy attorney you have chosen is up to the job and can provide you with the required assist you to need throughout the whole procedure. A few of the tips you can use when trying to identify a good bankruptcy lawyer receive beneath.

Analysis: Many people panic when they declare bankruptcy and can select the very first bankruptcy attorney that they run into. This isn't a sensible transfer because you need to conduct a thorough investigation. This particular analysis ought to involve an intensive criminal record check from the lawyer and really should be done prior to the personal bankruptcy claim is made. This can additionally give your attorney lots of time to get ready for the case.

Person to person: A great bankruptcy attorney is going to be well-known, specially in the business community, so it is very important to ask around as well as collect information about firms that have filed for bankruptcy as well as that represented all of them. It is also vital that you be aware of results of the instances. You're certain to obtain info that's helpful. Encounter should be your main concentrate the search for a great lawyer who are able to adequately represent you.

The actual courts: A bankruptcy court is a good supply about personal bankruptcy attorneys. It is best to take some time away as well as go to a bankruptcy courtroom so as to see and experience a bankruptcy case. This gives you an idea of the way a good lawyer ought to conduct the actual test when defending someone.

The panel associated with lawyers: A good option to find out about the very best and many respected lawyers is by going to the personal bankruptcy attorney's panel. The actual standing of those attorneys come before all of them and you're simply likely to find very good attorney who deals with personal bankruptcy problems and it is experienced in the field. Going to the office from the attorney could also provide a sign concerning the lawyer's reputability.

Attending free discussion sessions: Free discussion sessions would be the systems making it possible for you to ask as numerous concerns as possible regarding personal bankruptcy where to find good lawyers. It is also the beginning of a great operating relationship in between you and the attorneys since you might get good connections which will help you in the future. A bankruptcy lawyer will make the main difference in the outcome of your own case so you should ensure that the lawyer you select has the capacity to swing the ultimate result in your favor.

How A Good Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Help You

Bankruptcy laws and regulations are extremely complex and nearly impossible for the person with average skills to know. With the new personal bankruptcy laws and regulations which have been recently apply, the laws have become difficult. This is why it is important to hire a bankruptcy attorney if you are considering declaring bankruptcy. They might help you choose the right section associated with bankruptcy for you.

A personal bankruptcy attorney specializes in the laws as they pertain to declaring bankruptcy. Nevertheless, not every attorney is actually experienced in the laws of your particular condition. That's the reason it is crucial to go with a nearby lawyer who is familiar with the actual personal bankruptcy laws and regulations of your state. The actual laws can be considerably not the same as region to region. So ensure that the attorney you select not only practical knowledge employed in a state, but is licensed to work with instances in your state as well.

When choosing a bankruptcy attorney it is important that you are feeling comfy working with him or her. Declaring bankruptcy is an extremely emotional and life changing experience. Consequently, you will want a lawyer that knows what you are dealing with. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer will know exactly how to deal with all of your issues or even worries. Among the best ways to get an understanding of your lawyer is to job interview him or her. Be sure to ask plenty of concerns so that you have a complete understanding exactly where he or she stands upon particular matters. Also, be sure to ask what their own success rate is actually and if she or he has dealt with instances similar to your own before.

Whenever filing bankruptcy, your financial allowance is a key element. Consequently, you will need to be sure you have a full knowledge of all charges your attorney will be charging. In most cases, a bankruptcy lawyer costs a sizable fee for his or her providers. You'll be accountable for paying for the particular personal bankruptcy, that varies depending on what kind you file for. Chapter 7 bankruptcy moment $300. Then, your own lawyer will charge roughly $1000 to $2000. When the charge is simply too higher, you will want to consider another attorney. However keep in mind that lawful providers are going to price something, also it may be to your benefit to pay for a bit more to have an excellent lawyer, instead of paying much less for a bankruptcy attorney along with far less encounter.

Selecting a trustworthy bankruptcy attorney is vital to the outcome of your own case. Therefore, you don't want to choose an attorney randomly. Selecting a attorney thoughtlessly out of the phonebook could have a negative impact on the general outcome. When selecting an attorney, ask friends and family for recommendations. Although they may not have personally submitted bankruptcy, they've already an additional friend who are able to recommend somebody. Therefore be sure to ask around. If you cannot find a personal recommendation, you should check using the Better Business Bureau to ascertain if they have had any negative suggestions on the lawyer you are considering.

Do not pick out a bankruptcy attorney in the last minute. Be sure to do some progress preparing as well as research. Otherwise, should you pick a lawyer at the last second you could get a attorney who is not experienced in the area you'll need or that you don't feel at ease dealing with.

Nobody loves to acknowledge that they need assistance. However, whenever declaring bankruptcy it is crucial that you simply work with a attorney who specializes in the field of personal bankruptcy. He or she can help make the general process a great deal smoother and easier. With the laws and regulations which are in place these days, it is vital that you possess an experienced lawyer who has a full understanding of the laws and regulations and may assist you to through the personal bankruptcy procedure.

Crucial Steps to Take During Your Search for the Perfect Bankruptcy Lawyer to Represent You in Court

Considering exactly how our way of life have grown to be therefore determined by credit cards for each small purchase, it might be very easy for people to get rid of track of how much money these people owe as well as before they know it these people get hidden within so much financial debt that they find it not possible to recuperate from it. This is not merely limited to individuals but continues in order to businesses and businesses as well. The actual borrowing as well as lending of cash and the purchase and promoting of products upon credit score would be the major causes which lead to extreme debt. This is why we've bankruptcy laws and regulations to help individuals get over excessive financial debt and start fresh. However the laws and regulations of bankruptcy are very complicated and in order to file for bankruptcy you must have a reliable bankruptcy attorney to assist you.

To start with, the initial step you need to take before filing for bankruptcy is to employ a skilled bankruptcy lawyer. This task although may appear to be really easy; it's actually the primary action that will figure out how your bankruptcy situation unfolds in the court and just how most likely you'll succeed in it. The actual bankruptcy lawyer you choose is the future and for that reason you need to take the utmost care as well as caution when choosing which bankruptcy attorney to hire to fully handle your case in court. This information is created to specifically help you out in this action. You will get to know all the actions necessary for you to effectively hire the very best bankruptcy lawyer for you.

The very first source to look into for bankruptcy attorney recommendations is actually either your pals or other attorney that you may know. If you don't know of any person who's an attorney or any person who knows an attorney than the second supply to look into for any bankruptcy lawyer may be the yellow pages. This can be a convenient and magic formula to obtain a name of a bankruptcy attorney employed in your area. The actual phone book generally list all attorneys according to their specialty therefore considering the actual personal bankruptcy area will instantly give you a list of just about all personal bankruptcy attorneys in your area.

The next phase involved with your research for any good lawyer would be to start collecting some web sites what they are called you've in your list. Background information may be easily available on any attorney through the internet. Otherwise you can call up a legal court and get them for any review on the lawyer you are interested in. Check out for which bankruptcy related lawyer has got the the majority of quantity of successful cases as well as that bankruptcy associated attorney has the greatest experience associated with training specifically in your area as well as your nearby court instead of in almost any other state. If a bankruptcy lawyer has a lengthier experience of another condition after that avoid employing her or him since the laws and regulations alter a lot from state to state and that bankruptcy lawyer might not have adequate information to represent your own situation.

When you narrow down your list to 2 or 3 lawyers after that begin phoning up each bankruptcy related lawyer and ask these to allow you to go to all of them for a discussion program. These types of consultation periods are usually totally free. If your bankruptcy associated attorney is getting you for it, steer clear of him or her. This initial session having a personal bankruptcy related attorney will help you result in the ultimate decision which personal bankruptcy associated lawyer in order to lastly hire based on which you are the preferred along with. Comfort is really a main element because in the coming days you'll be spending considerable time with this particular new personal bankruptcy associated lawyer, therefore usually ensure that you are completely confident with her or him.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Bankruptcy Lawyers

Bankruptcy lawyers are experts in the laws of bankruptcy. They are the ones capable of helping enterprises discharge their debts. They do this by helping their clients distribute their assets over their creditors or by aiding them in devising a plan on how they can pay their creditors over a period of time.

It is the main responsibility of bankruptcy lawyers to explain to their clients the ins and outs of bankruptcy laws. They are the ones who should explain how bankruptcy laws could help certain businesses to recover from bankruptcy and fulfill their obligations. Among the topics they should discuss with their clients are the types of bills that can be eliminated, the allowable extension of payment deadlines and possessions that can be kept by the client. Likewise, they should be the ones to analyze the available options that can be taken by their client, depending on the bankruptcy reported. Basically, there are two types of bankruptcy: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary bankruptcy is when the debtors and the lawyers are the ones who initiated filing for bankruptcy. Involuntary bankruptcy, on the other hand, is when the creditors and their lawyers file for bankruptcy of a certain enterprise.

Bankruptcy lawyers handle two types of proceedings. The first one is liquidation wherein the lawyer is responsible for finding ways on how to distribute the remaining assets of the client to pay off debts. The second one is debtor rehabilitation. This involves getting a legitimate plan on how the debtor can pay off financial obligations using future earnings.

The services of bankruptcy lawyers should be availed by companies who are seeing foreclosures. They can be very helpful in finding ways on how such enterprises can eliminate their debts. The easiest way to find bankruptcy lawyers is to search the Internet. There are sites that feature available bankruptcy lawyers. This is particularly applicable for clients in the United States. There a number of sites that post information regarding bankruptcy lawyers located in different states of the said country.

Bankruptcy Lawyers provides detailed information on Bankruptcy Lawyers, Bankruptcy Lawyers In California, New York Bankruptcy Lawyers, Florida Bankruptcy Lawyers and more.

Business Bankruptcy Lawyers

Bankruptcy is one of the biggest burdens for an individual or for any type of business. This is a situation where the business cannot meet its debt obligations; in a state of declared bankruptcy, the debtor disburses his assets to the creditors. The action is conducted as prescribed by the National Bankruptcy Act. If you must declare bankruptcy, you need not worry since there is a business bankruptcy lawyer to assist you with putting your assets in order and to smoothly take care of the files for bankruptcy.

A business can go bankrupt in several ways. The most common way is that a business can willingly declare bankruptcy. A business will also become bankrupt when it makes a suggestion to its creditors that is not accepted by them. Sometimes the creditors can push the business into bankruptcy by filing an appeal with the court.

Filing for business bankruptcy can be a complicated and frustrating process. Having an excellent lawyer can make the whole procedure easier. A business bankruptcy lawyer is familiar with the principles of bankruptcy laws and their applications. The lawyer explains how these principles function to relieve businesses from financial obligations and thus provide a fresh financial start.

Bankruptcy lawyers provide you with crucial information and feedback whenever requested. In order to get the utmost benefit from them, it is important that you give the lawyers a very sincere picture of your financial condition. If you fail to do so, you could encounter problems. A bankruptcy lawyer can file a petition only in the presence of the debtors.

Finding a business bankruptcy lawyer is relatively easy. The best way is to ask for suggestions from legal professionals. If you find a bankruptcy lawyer in the circle of your acquaintances, start there. Another way is to spend a day at a bankruptcy court. Watching the lawyers in action can give you an idea of the lawyer you want to represent you.

Bankruptcy Lawyers provides detailed information on Bankruptcy Lawyers, Bankruptcy Lawyers In California, New York Bankruptcy Lawyers, Florida Bankruptcy Lawyers and more.

Getting a Good Bankruptcy Lawyer

There is nothing worse than having to file for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy is a very serious matter which can destroy the lives of many people and render them completely helpless. Before moving forward with this article it is important to describe bankruptcy and what it entails. Bankruptcy is also referred to as insolvency and is a legal state of being unable to repay debts owed to creditors.
Bankruptcy is applicable to both individuals and organizations. When bankruptcy happens to an organization, many creditors will normally file a bankruptcy petition in an effort to recover a portion of the money owed to them by the company or organization. This results in the organization seeking the services of a bankruptcy lawyer. A bankruptcy lawyer is someone who is conversant with bankruptcy law and will be able to defend you against the petition filed by the creditors. Bankruptcy lawyers are quite expensive and you will have to prove to them that you can pay them before securing their services.
Tips on how to hire a good bankruptcy lawyer?
The increase in bankruptcy petitions has resulted in an increase in demand for bankruptcy lawyers. This has led to an increase in the number of lawyers who are looking to make a quick buck at the expense of debtors who do not know any better, while offering very poor legal services in return. It is important to ensure that the bankruptcy lawyer you have chosen is up to the task and will give you the required help you need throughout the entire process. Some of the tips you can use when trying to identify a good bankruptcy lawyer are given below.
Investigation: Many people often panic when they declare bankruptcy and will select the first bankruptcy lawyer that they come across. This is not a wise move because you need to conduct a thorough investigation. This investigation should involve a thorough background check of the lawyer and should be done before the bankruptcy claim is made. This will also give your lawyer enough time to prepare for the case.
Word of mouth: A good bankruptcy lawyer will be well-known, especially in the business world, so it is very important to ask around and gather information about companies that have filed for bankruptcy and who represented them. It is also important to know the outcome of the cases. You are bound to get information that is helpful. Experience should be your main focus in the search for a good lawyer who can adequately represent you.
The courts: A bankruptcy court is a good source about bankruptcy lawyers. You should always take some time off and visit a bankruptcy court so as to see and experience a bankruptcy case. This will give you an idea of how a good lawyer should conduct the trial when defending someone.
The panel of lawyers: The best place to find out about the best and most respected lawyers is by visiting the bankruptcy lawyer's panel. The reputations of these lawyers precede them and you are likely to find a very good lawyer who deals with bankruptcy issues and is experienced in the field. Visiting the office of the lawyer may also give an indication about the lawyer's reputability.
Attending free consultation sessions: Free consultation sessions are the platforms that make it possible for you to ask as many questions as possible about bankruptcy and where to find good lawyers. It is also the beginning of a good working relationship between you and the lawyers because you might get good contacts which will help you in the future. A bankruptcy lawyer will make the difference in the outcome of your case so you should ensure that the lawyer you choose is able to swing the final result in your favor.

Crucial Steps to Take During Your Search for the Perfect Bankruptcy Lawyer to Represent You in Court

Considering how our lives have become so dependent on credit cards for every little purchase, it becomes very easy for people to lose track of how much money they owe and before they know it they get buried in so much debt that they find it impossible to recover from it. This is not only limited to people but carries on to businesses and organizations as well. The borrowing and lending of money and the purchase and selling of goods on credit are the main reasons which lead to excessive debt. This is why we have bankruptcy laws to help people recover from excessive debt and start fresh. But the laws of bankruptcy are quite complicated and in order to file for bankruptcy you need to have a competent bankruptcy lawyer to help you out.
To begin with, the very first step that you need to take before filing for bankruptcy is to hire an experienced bankruptcy lawyer. This step though might appear to be very simple; it is in fact the main step that will determine how your bankruptcy case unfolds in court and how likely you will succeed in it. The bankruptcy lawyer you choose is your future and therefore you need to take the utmost care and caution when choosing which bankruptcy lawyer to hire to represent you in court. This article is written to specifically help you out in this step. You will get to know all the steps required for you to successfully hire the best bankruptcy lawyer for you.
The first source to look into for bankruptcy lawyer referrals is either your friends or any other lawyer that you may know. If you do not know of any person who is a lawyer or any person who knows a lawyer than the second source to look into for a bankruptcy lawyer is the yellow pages. This is a convenient and quick way to get a name of a bankruptcy lawyer working in your area. The yellow pages usually list all lawyers according to their specialty therefore looking into the bankruptcy section will immediately give you a list of all bankruptcy lawyers in your area.
The next step involved in your search for a good lawyer is to start gathering some background information on the names you have in your list. Background information can easily be found on any lawyer through the internet. If not you can call up the court and ask them for a review on the lawyer you are interested in. Check out for which bankruptcy related lawyer has the most number of successful cases and which bankruptcy related lawyer has the longest work experience of practicing particularly in your area and your local court rather than in any other state. If a bankruptcy lawyer has a longer experience in another state then avoid hiring him or her because the laws and regulations change a lot from state to state and that bankruptcy lawyer might not have sufficient information to represent your case.
Once you narrow down your list to two or three lawyers then start calling up each bankruptcy related lawyer and ask them to allow you to visit them for a consultation session. These consultation sessions are normally free. If a bankruptcy related lawyer is charging you for it, avoid him or her. This initial session with a bankruptcy related lawyer will help you make the final decision of which bankruptcy related lawyer to finally hire depending on which one you are the most comfortable with. Comfort is a major factor because in the coming days you will be spending a lot of time with this new bankruptcy related lawyer, therefore always ensure that you are fully comfortable with him or her.

How A Good Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Help You

Bankruptcy laws are extremely complicated and nearly impossible for the average person to understand. With the new bankruptcy laws that have been recently put into action, the laws have become even more complicated. This is why it is important to hire a bankruptcy lawyer if you are considering filing bankruptcy. He or she can help you choose the right chapter of bankruptcy for you.
A bankruptcy lawyer specializes in the laws as they pertain to filing bankruptcy. However, not every lawyer is versed in the laws of your particular state. That is why it is very important to go with a local lawyer who is familiar with the bankruptcy laws of your state. The laws can be considerably different from one state to another. So make sure that the lawyer you choose not only has experience working in your state, but is licensed to work with cases in your state as well.
When choosing a bankruptcy lawyer it is important that you feel comfortable working with him or her. Filing bankruptcy is a very emotional and life changing experience. Therefore, you will want a lawyer that understands what you are going through. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer will know exactly how to handle any of your concerns or fears. One of the best ways to get a feel for your lawyer is to interview him or her. Be sure to ask plenty of questions so that you have a complete understanding where he or she stands on certain matters. Also, be sure to ask what their success rate is and if he or she has handled cases similar to yours before.
When filing bankruptcy, your budget will be a key element. Therefore, you will want to make sure you have a full understanding of any and all fees your lawyer will be charging. Generally speaking, a bankruptcy lawyer charges a sizable fee for his or her services. You will be responsible for paying for the actual bankruptcy, which varies depending on what type you file for. Chapter 7 bankruptcy runs around $300. Then, your lawyer will charge approximately $1000 to $2000. If the fee is too high, you will want to consider another lawyer. But keep in mind that legal services are going to cost something, and it may be to your advantage to pay a bit more for an excellent lawyer, rather than paying much less for a bankruptcy lawyer with far less experience.
Picking a reputable bankruptcy lawyer is crucial to the outcome of your case. Therefore, you do not want to choose a lawyer at random. Picking a lawyer blindly out of the phone book could have a negative impact on the overall outcome. When choosing a lawyer, ask family and friends for recommendations. Although they may not have personally filed bankruptcy, they may have another friend who can recommend someone. So be sure to ask around. If you cannot find a personal recommendation, you can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any negative feedback on a lawyer you are considering.
Do not pick out a bankruptcy lawyer at the last minute. Be sure to do some advance planning and research. Otherwise, if you pick a lawyer at the last minute you could end up with a lawyer who is not experienced in the area you need or whom you do not feel comfortable working with.
No one likes to admit that they need help. However, when filing bankruptcy it is essential that you work with a lawyer who specializes in the field of bankruptcy. He or she can help make the overall process a lot smoother and easier. With the laws that are in place today, it is vital that you have an experienced lawyer who has a full understanding of the laws and can help you through the bankruptcy process.

Hire A Bankruptcy Lawyer Before Filing For Bankruptcy

If you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you should first discuss all options available with a bankruptcy lawyer. There are many options to be explored before one files bankruptcy, and a bankruptcy lawyer can go over the pros and cons of every option before you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
One option a bankruptcy lawyer can assist you with would be dealing with a payment plan that satisfies your creditors. A competent bankruptcy lawyer can work with your creditors to develop a plan that is affordable enough to meet any budget. This will also keep creditors from harassing you about missed or late payments.
Creditors will be satisfied with most payment plans that are presented to them by a bankruptcy lawyer, because it shows the good faith effort that one is making an attempt to pay of their debts before resorting to bankruptcy.
If a bankruptcy lawyer can not develop a suitable plan for his or her client then he or she can advise the client about which form of bankruptcy would be in the client's best interest.
A bankruptcy lawyer can file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy for clients. This type of bankruptcy allows one to liquidate assets and property to pay off creditors. When filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, one is not required to sell all of their property. A person is able to retain enough for financial stability once the proceedings have been completed.
A competent bankruptcy lawyer would handle the task of filing for the bankruptcy, obtaining documents to prove assets and worth and work with creditors to pay of as much debt as possible from the liquidation proceeds.
If one chooses to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the bankruptcy lawyer can handle the proceedings for these cases as well. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows a person 3 to 5 years to pay off his or her creditors following a payment plan set by the presiding Judge.
The bankruptcy lawyer would gather the paperwork required to show how much a person's earnings are and how much would be a reasonable payment each month.
Bankruptcy does not cover all types of debts, and if one is not sure if a debt is covered if one were to file bankruptcy then they should consult with a bankruptcy lawyer for clarification.
In both types of bankruptcies, both 7 and 13, a trustee is appointed to handle overseeing the payments or liquidation of the assets. If one hires a competent bankruptcy lawyer, he or she would be able to ensure that one has a trustee that is reliable when handling claims.
Before filing for bankruptcy, one should always consult with a bankruptcy lawyer to ensure that there are no other alternatives available that one can pursue. Bankruptcy lawyers handle more than just bankruptcy cases; they also assist in helping a client work with creditors if a client is hesitant about filing bankruptcy.
If one has filed for bankruptcy then a competent bankruptcy lawyer can also provide advice on how one can re-establish good credit. There are quite a number of things one can do to re-build their credit.
If you are in debt, then you certainly should contact a bankruptcy lawyer about your financial problems. He or she can work with you to eliminate your debt using one or more methods. If bankruptcy is considered as your only option, then he or she can handle the bankruptcy proceedings for you. By contacting a bankruptcy lawyer and turning one's financial troubles over to him or her, one can live knowing that the stress of their debt is being lifted.

Cost For Bankruptcy? Bankruptcy Lawyers' High $1,000-Per-Hour Fees Versus AIG High Bonuses - Outrage

What is the cost for bankruptcy today? Is there cheap bankruptcy for American debtors? Any low cost bankruptcy in affordable range? Today, as Americans are rightly outraged over the AIG Bonus and Excessive Corporate Compensation issue, the American Bankruptcy Lawyers' show no hint of showing responsibility or sacrifice as they reportedly continue to demand and collect $1,000-per-hour fees for corporate bankruptcy work!
With the hard economic times and high unemployment in the nation, and many Americans, individuals as well as businesses, increasingly hurting, the central economic issue for many Americans is cost for bankruptcy, a sacred right conferred by the Constitution. Do we all, perhaps, have to "Go to Law School" in order to make out well as debtors and consumers in the current Economy?
Reacting to the bankruptcy lawyers' charge of $1,110-per-hour fee in a Chicago case liquidating the then giant United Airlines, one outraged Chicago reporter, Knight Ridder, dished out this advice to the workers who lost their jobs in the bankrupt airline: "in your next lives, go to law school." ("UAL's Bankruptcy Lawyers Document a Feast of Fees," Tribune News, March 5, 2003).
Bankruptcy has recently been called "America's [current] growth industry" by the British Times newspaper. At a time in which almost every other industry in the United States, in deed in the whole industrialized world, is experiencing massive economic burst and employment lay offs, the British paper noted, American "Lawyers who specialize in representing failed businesses are a hot commodity." (See Citation 1 below at the end of this article). That may be great for the bankruptcy lawyers' pocket book. But what about the rest of America, particularly if you're so hard pressed that you have to file for bankruptcy? How much will it cost for bankruptcy? low-cost bankruptcy
One American bankruptcy lawyer, Jason Kilborn, wrote in a CreditSlips.com piece characterizing the English newspaper report as "U.S.-bankruptcy-lawyer envy" by the British lawyers which, he said, "is doubly powerful, as even bankruptcy lawyers there are not as high-profile as in the U.S." He noted, however, that even "here in the U.S. lawyers in other areas [of legal practice] must be eyeeing their bankruptcy counterparts with envy, as our sector enjoys (if we can use that word without multi-directional guilt!) rapid growth while other areas are contracting," concluding by appealing to his fellow American bankruptcy lawyers to "let us U.S. bankruptcy lawyers try not to be too smug (for the humor impaired, yes, this is a little joke!)" about their unique standing as a virtual lone professional 'growth industry' in the midst of economic wreckage and devastation in the nation and the world.
In point of fact, Mr. Kilborn and his fellow American bankruptcy lawyers actually have pretty plenty to be apologetic for to the American people, and a lot of explaining yet to do. "Corporate greed" for the AIG and Wall Street executives, right? What about "bankruptcy lawyers greed"? Or the bankruptcy lawyers' excessive selfishness, opportunism and lack of sacrifice, for such remarkable conduct that this legal specialty has so amazingly displayed as major professional players in the current American economic crises! Not the least of these being that, to date, the legal profession are yet to provide legitimate low-cost alternative bankruptcy filing system to the lawyers' high cost bankruptcy system, and a system that brings bankruptcy on the cheap to debtors and readily within their reach.
Somewhat remarkably, it's something that has somehow managed to escape the general public or media scrutiny, or even attention, that it clearly ought to attract. One of the most recent cases frequently cited by experts in such discussions, relates to the lawyers' liquidation work on the now bankrupt airline giant, the United Air Lines. This is the case involving the UAL's Chicago-based outside law firm, Kirkland & Ellis, that is reportedly the first case that "broke through the $1,000-an-hour barrier" in legal fees, as its charge in that case was an hourly fee of $1,110 to liquidate the UAL in bankruptcy.
It was a fee whose magnitude prompted another reporter in a more recent bankruptcy case, to call the fee of $950 per hour charged by the New York law firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges in the largest American bankruptcy case in history, the Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc case, to "look cut-rate and a mere" paltry sum. Recent reports about exorbitant bonuses taken or planned by the executives of wealthy but troubled institutions like the Lehman Brothers, the AIG, the automobile companies and others, has sparked a gradual groundswell of political and public outrage and condemnation across America about excessive lifestyle by corporations, and exorbitant compensation and "corporate greed" by business executives. (See Citation 2 below).
But where has similar outrage been by the Washington and local politicians and the public - or the reportage about it by the media - against the outrageous $1,000-plus-an-hour fees charged by bankruptcy lawyers in corporate bankruptcy work? Or, a similar outrage against the equally outrageous average fee of $2,000 to $2,500 that lawyers charge struggling debtors in the simplest types of Chapter 7 personal bankruptcy cases?
President Barack Obama has publicly called such conduct 'shameful.' And, since the latest story broke public condemnation, with well-publicized public demonstrations and protests at AIG offices and the homes of most recently about the attempt of the AIG executives to parcel out fat bonuses of some $160 million or so to their workers, prominent American politicians, from President Barack Obama to members of Congress, Democrats as well as Republicans, have taken turns to rush before the camera and to the airwaves to denounce and condemn the "corporate greed and thievery" of America's business executives and institutions in high places. And even the general public have joined the parade of its executives in Connecticut. A common refrain by the protesters and persons who condemn such predatory conduct as to what particularly enrages, is that it is simply outrageous and intolerable for persons or institutions in positions of privilege or advantage to "exploit the misery" of Americans in vulnerable situations who are unable to meet their routine financial obligations in the current depressed economic conditions (e.g., landlords against tenants, mortgage lenders against home buyers, and the like), and live lives of opulence or extravagance even as the poorer and less fortunate Americans are mired in suffering and hardship.
That's all fine and proper, and very much welcome. But, a central question: IN THE INTEREST OF AMERICAN FAIRNESS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EQUAL TIME, WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE AND PROTEST FOR A SIMILAR CONDUCT BY THE BANKRUPTCY LAWYERS IN AMERICA? Where is some bankruptcy on the cheap for cash strapped American debtors?
For most Americas seeking bankruptcy, the crucial impediment is cost for bankruptcy. How much will it cost for bankruptcy. Yet, in terms of personal bankruptcy of the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 types, for example, which are the bankruptcy domain in which primarily you find the poorer and the less privileged and more voiceless classes of the society, it has been estimated by experts that at least the same 1.1 million or so debtors in number who filed bankruptcy in 2008, additionally wish to file for bankruptcy, but fail to do so merely because they're not able for afford the legal fees required for filing one. Putting it very simply, these are, in effect, Americans who are deprived, each year, of filing for bankruptcy - to legitimately exercise a special constitutional right of citizenship - to relieve themselves of their debt burden. And why? Primarily because of, and out of, the financial greed and selfishness of the personal bankruptcy lawyers. No less than the AIG executives and corporate executives who are, and quite understandably so, the recipients of the outrage and condemnation of the politicians and the public today.
We may, perhaps, have come to the time when the American people will have to demand and insist, under the threat, perhaps, of public protests and demonstrations, that, particularly in the current economic crisis, the legal fees charged by the nation's bankruptcy lawyers for personal as well as corporate bankruptcy, be drastically brought down and capped - just like the famous Wall Street executives and others for whom such a policy has been advocated by President Obama and several members of Congress. Or, at the very least, the President, the members of Congress and the American public - as well as the media - should begin publicly to call attention to, and point a finger of shame and condemnation at, the bankruptcy lawyers. In either case, it will require a visibly enraged class of debtors, the American general public, and even creditors, and a sensitive but courageous class of politicians truly sensitive about the role of such exorbitant legal fees by bankruptcy lawyers in further compounding and worsening the already deep economic hurt of the debt-burdened Americans and American companies already swimming in deep, deep debt burdens in the current economic recession.