HOW DO I GET A CREDIT REPORT?

No matter what your financial situation, it is always important to keep a close eye on your credit report and understand everything credit reporting entails. This is because credit reporting is a complex system subject to error and discrepancy, and yet it determines much of what you are eligible for when it comes to financing and consumer privileges.

There are three main credit bureaus in the United States that are responsible for collection credit-related data for all consumers and individuals. These are Experian, Trans-Union, and Equifax. You should understand that these are profit-driven companies. In other words, the information that they collect about individuals becomes an item that they then sell to companies of virtually every single kind. It is vital to be informed of your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which is an important consumer protection law.

If you look up “credit report” on the internet you will instantly see an ocean of services that will charge you to deliver your credit report. Many of these services claim to be free and yet you need to enter your credit card information in order to obtain your records. (Whether you are asked for your credit card number or Social Security Number, you should always be extremely cautious when giving your personal information online!) However, it is often possible to get these reports for free straight from the credit reporting agencies anyway. By law you are required free access to your report within 60 days of being turned down for any credit application. If you are denied credit, you must receive this denial in form of a letter that must also tell you what credit agency delivered your credit information. The credit bureau’s address and telephone number will also be given. You can then contact them and get your report for free.

Also, if you happen to live in Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or Vermont, you are entitled to a free copy of your report from each bureau once every 6 months. You can also obtain a free copy if you are unemployed and applying for a job within 60 days (you will have to provide an unemployment check or layoff notice as proof of your circumstances). If you receive any type of public assistance or believe you are a victim of fraud, you can also get a copy for free. Once you have your credit report, look it over carefully. You are legally entitled to challenge anything you find on your report- if you find any errors or information that does not seem totally accurate, you may contact the bureau by mail and contest the report. The bureau is obligated to investigate your claim, and it will sometimes happen that they have indeed made a mistake.

For more information about how you can get your credit report and understand everything listed on it, you might find sites such as www.icreditreports.com extremely helpful.

BUDGETING & MONEY SAVING TIPS

Whether you’ve had financial difficulties in the past and are trying to re-establish good financial standing either during or after personal bankruptcy, or you are simply trying to make your dollars go as far as possible, it’s important to have some basic tips about budgeting and saving money. Budgeting gets your spending under a controlled flow, and saving money makes it last a little bit longer.

These are some things to keep in mind when you’re putting together your budget:

Balance the books
Establishing a personal budget can be difficult because it requires attention to the very last detail about your income and expenses. The best way to get started is by getting a budget worksheet that is already formatted and set up for you. Look online to find these for free download. There are also several popular software programs that will help you establish your budget, and many of these will often automate math functions and other features.

Keep track of everything
If necessary, carry a small notebook with you- account for every penny you spend, even if this seems like excessive “nitpicking” or “sweating the small stuff.” You’ll quickly see that a large portion of your expenses occur in this area. Categorize your spending, as this will make it possible for you to refine your budget as you go along.

Make a goal
What do you want to accomplish by having greater control over your expenses? Perhaps you want to save a certain amount of money so you can begin investing, perhaps you need to set aside a certain amount of funds to help a loved one. Whatever it is, assign a specific dollar amount to it, and then use your budget to figure out how long it will take you to effectively reach your goal. As you go along, you might discover more ways to become more efficient and reach your goal even faster.

Everyone has had the experience of paying for something only to realize later that a better bargain was available. Chances are that this happens more than you’d ever imagine! These are some of the main areas where you can save serious money over the long term:

Calling plans
The long distance calling wars never end. With the dramatic increase of cell phone use over the past few years, the issue has gotten even more complicated. Call your provider and ask what plans might match your calling needs most. Tell them you want to save money. Another tip you can try is this: when long distance companies call you to convince you to switch to their service, don’t hang up. Instead, get the exact information on their offer and write it down. Call your own long distance company and tell them you’re thinking of switching so you can save money- often, they’ll give you a credit for some free calling. The number one rule for cell phone users is to observe calling hours and roaming costs. Don’t go over your minutes! If you need more airtime it’s better to pay a little more to upgrade your plan- it will save you a lot in the long run.

ATM and bank fees
One of the most profitable developments enjoyed by banks over the past several years is the fact that people do not want to go out of their way and will easily brush off the idea of spending a dollar to get their own money. This adds up to an industry in its own right that delivers American banks over a billion dollars per year! When you need money, stick to using the ATMs at your own bank to avoid fees whenever you can. Keep in mind that the cash-back options available when you pay with a debit card in many locations such as supermarkets and post offices will allow you to get your cash just like an ATM withdrawal, but there’s no fee to do it. When banks or any other financial services are concerned, know what you’re paying for- many institutions will often enroll you in a service plan that you don’t need, such as theft protection or card loss insurance, knowing that most people tend to overlook these charges. Call your bank or credit card company and verify if you are being charged for any such services you may not want.

Shopping
Shopping is the most important of money-saving areas because it is the thing you need to do most often. Prioritize your shopping needs- and remember that necessities always come first! Scan your local circulars for coupons- you’d be amazed how much you can save over the course of a year just by using discount coupons regularly. The number one thing to look for when you are shopping is whether or not you can buy larger volumes of whatever it is you’re looking for, especially in the supermarket. People with poor spending habits always look to spend the least money at a given moment, but this results in buying a product that will not last as long. “Family Size” products, although more expensive upfront, always provide a better value. The number one thing to avoid when shopping, no matter where you are, is impulse buying. Studies have shown that a huge fraction of what shoppers buy include things they never meant to buy in the first place, especially in the supermarket. The best way to avoid impulse buying is to make a list of everything you need to buy before you go to the store. When something’s not on the list, don’t buy it! With a little discipline you will soon get a much stronger control over your spending.

CAN I BUY A HOME AFTER BANKRUPTCY?

There are many people who have successfully managed to purchase a new home even after they have filed personal bankruptsy. While it may seem difficult at first, you should never let bankruptcy cancel your aspirations to own a house. There are a few important things you will want to keep in mind about mortgage after bankruptcy and buying a house after bankruptcy.

Showing available cash is the best way to convince a lender of any type that you are committed to seeing the terms of any agreement for post-bankruptcy loans through. However long it might take you to save up a greater-than-average down payment on a house will be worth it, because your chances will be all the better. On the other hand, applying for a mortgage too soon after bankruptcy when you have not had the chance to save up sufficient capital may result in a reported rejection, which will only weaken your credit profile and make it take longer to succeed. When you are approaching a lender to discuss buying a house after bankruptcy, try to have at least 20% ready for a down payment. While this is higher than the average down payments available for customers without economic setbacks, it will do a lot to show any lender that you are serious about doing what it takes to get back on track. For the bank you then represent less of a risk regardless of your credit history, because at a certain level the loan is secured by the value of the house and the house is worth more than the mortgage that remains after the increased down payment. In other words, lending you the money gives the bank mortgage rights in the house, and the amount of the house that’s left to pay off after the down payment is still less than the total value of the house. This means a safe investment for the bank and better chances you’ll get what you need.

If you’re not happy with what you see available right away, remember that it’s usually possible to get a more competitive rate on a mortgage when you wait at least 18 to 24 months after your bankruptcy filing. Not only will this increase your chances of eventually getting a loan that will be better for you in the long run, but it will allow you the time you need to really get an understanding of what you can expect to afford in the future while maintaining your new financial health.

There are several websites, such as www.ameriquestmortgage.com and www.americaslendingpartners.com that can help you get a better idea of what offers are available to people seeking mortgages after declaring personal bankruptcy.

CAN I GET HOME LOANS AFTER BANKRUPTCY?

Have you been asking yourself “can I buy a home after bankruptcy?” You can’t expect bad credit to mean giving everything up. Even when you have declared personal bankruptcy, it is still possible to reach for your dreams of owning a home by considering bankruptcy home loans. There are many bankruptcy mortgage and home loan companies that specialize in helping people with poor or no credit get the loans they need to make those dreams come true.

If you are wondering about getting a mortgage after bankruptcy so you can buy new property, many quality lenders can approve your loan in as little as 24 hours and have the loan closed and ready to deliver to you in as little as 10 days. When you are looking at different offers and companies you should try to find some association with a quality control or consumer protection agency, such as recognition by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This will do more to ensure that you are dealing with a reputable lender who will treat both your situation and your personal information with respect and confidentiality. Before you apply for one of these loans it is always wise to try to contact the lender directly and ask a few questions about their policies and pre-approval guidelines before you fill out any forms. This will avoid the negative marks that can come with your social security number appearing as a rejected applicant, which would make it harder to get approved by the next lender you approach.

Many agencies advertise services through which they represent you to several actual lenders- this makes the process more promising and less stressful for you personally, but you should always be totally clear of exactly what steps they are taking when they make your personal information available to another party.

If you are already in the middle of an active mortgage when you declare bankruptcy, the lender still has property rights as described in the mortgage agreement. They can foreclose the mortgage if you breach the agreement that was originally signed. However, it is important to realize that when you filebankrupcy you are not breaching the agreement. You are only breaching the agreement when you fail to make mortgage payments. If you make continued payments, you are legally entitled to keep your house. A lender will generally prefer to have you keep paying off your mortgage rather than foreclosing the loan, which is expensive and as complicated for them as for you. Although it is sometimes uncomfortable to talk about your bankruptcy filing, it is the most sensible in the long run if you call your lender to see if they have any particular advice concerning the standing of your mortgage.

CAN I GET CREDIT CARDS AFTER BANKRUPTCY?

Debt consolidation is a very important alternative that you should understand fully before moving on to decide you want to file personal bankruptcy. Debt consolidation, sometimes known as debt counseling, is a process by which you sign an agreement with a third party management company that will act as a go-between for your and your creditors. Debt counseling practices are generally non-profit organizations that have a powerful ability to moderate relationships between creditors and consumers. That means that if you are having difficulty keeping up to date in your bill payments, a credit consolidation company can greatly assist you by negotiating lowered interest rates with your creditors. Debt consolidation companies request copies of all your account statements, and then they draft a payment plan based on re-calculated interest rates that are lower than your original rates. There are two major conveniences that you will notice immediately when you sign on to work with a reputable debt counseling service: firstly, you will enjoy a break from collection attempts on most types of bills, and secondly, you will have to make only one single payment once your plan is approved.

If you choose to work with a credit counseling service, you are contractually obligated to make timely payments on a monthly basis in order to continue enjoying the benefits of the service. If you fail to make one or more payments, the service retains the right to end your contract. One major difference between credit counseling and bankruptcy is that you do not have to list every single one of your debts when you enroll in a debt consolidation program. You can choose which bills will be part of your new payment plan. However, if you enter a credit card into these programs, your credit is usually suspended and the account is considered closed. While these points will most likely be visible on your credit report, they are nowhere near as damaging as bankruptcy, and if the credit consolidation program enables you to make six months of straight online payments, you will already have made progress in improving your financial situation.

You should be aware that debt consolidation organizations are a third party that represents you to your creditors, but they are not attorneys and therefore they do not provide you with legal presentation or protection. Some credit counselors charge a modest monthly fee that might sometimes be in addition to a program enrolment fee. Non-profit business in general is exploding in the United States, and there are currently dozens- if not hundreds -of credit counseling firms. If credit consolidation sounds like an attractive solution for you, be sure to compare several different offers and see which one might be best. See what unique benefits each might be able to give you. Some debt consolidation services even provide you with a package of coupons and discount cards that are available exclusively to their enrolled members.

To get a good idea of some of the offers that are available for debt consolidation loans and other debt management opportunities, you may find it helpful to visit any of these websites and compare the services and options they describe:

www.lexingtonlaw.com
www.debtadvocates.cc
www.lowcostlending.com
www.theloanpage.com

CAN I GET CREDIT AFTER BANKRUPTCY?

When you file bankruptcy, one of the major worries you might have is what will happen to your ability to get credit and borrowing privileges afterward. You might be afraid that it will be years and years before you ever get another credit offer again, but this is simply not the case.

There are a few important things to keep in mind concerning credit after bankruptcy. First of all, remember when you are filing bankrupsy that you are obligated to list every single one of your debts. This means that if you have a credit card you are using at the time of your filing, it cannot be kept as an open account. Failure to list these existing credit card accounts is a serious federal crime. But you might not realize that many credit card companies will allow you to keep your card after bankruptcy filing through a renegotiation of the terms of use. This means that the old account is still accounted for in the bankruptcy filing while a new account is opened with new terms. This is often referred to as “reaffirming” the credit account. This leads to a new agreement that is signed after the completion of bankruptcy filing. While it may seem surprising, the fact is that most creditors would rather keep you as a customer under new agreement terms than let you go completely.

If it is not possible to reaffirm your accounts, there are still many options available to you so you can get new credit cards and lines of credit from reputable lenders who specialize in helping people in difficult economic situations. Shop around for different offers and see which terms seem best for your needs- don’t be afraid to call the lenders directly and see what they can do for you.

While you might decide that the last thing you ever want is a new credit card after your banruptcy, it’s best to see that having credit is a fact of life that determines much of what you can do. Plus, after the emotional strain of bankruptcy settles a bit, you will be able to set your sites on the advantages you can enjoy once you begin rebuilding credit after bankruptcy.

WHAT TO DO WITH BANKRUPTCY INFORMATION?

Having the best bankruptcy info is essential to making a plan so you can solve your financial problems and get on the road to better fiscal health. But what steps should you follow when looking at all this information?

Know Your Alternatives
The first information you should really take a long look at is your list of options. Your creditors should not be avoided- rather, it’s better to talk to them to get the information regarding what choices they might have for you that will help you manage your debt without declaring bankruptcy. There are many third-party solutions you may have never thought of, such as debt consolidation, which can help you combine all your bills into one account and end collection harassment. If you have already tried all possible alternatives, though, you need to start getting information on what help and resources are open to you for your personal bankruptcy case.

Get Help If You Can
Check out your local directory for bankruptcy lawyers and legal assistance. Call as many as you can and get detailed information on what their services entail, how much they will charge, and what their experience or background is. Keep track of this information and keep it organized so you can compare professional services side by side. Money’s tight, so make every effort to get the info you need to find the most cost-efficient legal assistance you can. When you have found a professional who can help you, you will want to start thinking about which bankruptcy chapter you’re going to file- usually chapter 7 or chapter 13.

Decide Which Chapter To File
Not all bankruptcy cases are the same- you need to decide whether you intend to file chapter 7 and attempt a total discharge of all non-exempt debts, or chapter 13, which will allow you to re-organize your debts. Talk it over with your attorney and find out as much as you possibly can about each on your own. Consider how each choice might affect you later on. Make a list of the pros and cons as you see them in your case and compare them side by side.

Get Planning For The Future
Make another list of your goals, and remember- bankruptcy does not have to end them! It’s important to start preparing yourself in order to re-build your assets and start fresh after your case is finished. Pick four or five distinct goals you want to accomplish in your personal and professional life and start planning on how you can make these a reality after you have filed bankruptcy. There are several possibilities for loans after bankruptcy and financing options that are open to people who have declared personal bankruptcy- consider these carefully and think about what better opportunities might arise if you are able to wait another 6 or 12 months in order to apply for new financing privileges. Keep track of what offers will be available to you when so that you can put time on your side.

BANKRUPTCY TERMS & DEFINITIONS

Bankruptcy terms and definitions might sometimes be difficult to get your head around at first, especially when you are in a stressful personal situation and do not feel like you have the energy to get through reading a lot of complicated paperwork. Knowing the terms frequently used in bankruptcy proceedings will make your discussions with attorneys and other parties in the case more effective and more comfortable as well. These are some of the most common terms you might come across during preparation and filing of your bancrupsycase:

Account Reaffirmation
An agreement between you and a given creditor that you will repay all or a portion of your account with that creditor, even though you have filed bankruptcy. In return the creditor agrees not to reposes property (in the case of a mortgage) or to suspend privileges (in the case of a credit card).

Automatic Stay
Filing under any chapter of the Bankruptcy Code prevents any further collection attempts, wage garnishment, or other damaging measures that might otherwise be taken against you. The purpose of a stay in Chapter 13 is to allow for extra “breathing room” while the repayment plan is drafted and approved. In Chapter 7 the stay allows the trustee the protection and time necessary to begin liquidation. There are some, but not many, exceptions to the stay.

Bankruptcy Code
Official legislation found at 11 U.S.C. §101 et. seq. (“Title 11″) containing the laws for bankruptcy liquidation and rehabilitation cases. Since its passage in 1978 the Code had been modified several times.

Bankruptcy Court Clerk
The official at the Bankruptcy Court who receives all documents pertaining to your case. The clerk is sometimes responsible for scheduling hearing for bankruptcy cases as well.

Bankruptcy Judge
The Bankruptcy Judge presides over the administration of your bankruptcy case, and makes rulings about any parts of the case that come into question. The judge moderates between debtors, appointed trustees, and creditors.

Chapter 11
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code addressing financial reorganization and protection for businesses. Chapter 11 is designed to give businesses the chance to continue operations and gain relief from unmanageable debt.

Chapter 13
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code addressing financial rehabilitation for an individual with a proven income who can eventually repay at least most owed debts. Chapter 13 is designed to give individuals a fresh start and allow a reorganized payment plan suitable to all parties.

Chapter 7
Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code addressing liquidation of an individual’s personal assets. Chapter 7 is designed to discharge all of an individuals unsecured debts and offer creditors a partial compensation by liquidation of the debtor’s non-exempt property.

Claim
Any right to payment put forth by a creditor.

Creditor
Any institution that has rights to payments from a creditor, for example, a credit card company.

Debtor
Any person, especially when involved in a bankruptcy case, who has payments due to a creditor, for example, a consumer who uses a credit card.

Discharge
An order that terminates the debtor’s obligation to make payments owed to creditors. A discharge “erases” your nonsecured debts permanently.

Exemption
A ruling over certain assets of a debtor that says they are not subject to repossession or liquidation in a bankruptcy case, for example, a car that is necessary for the debtor to get to a place of employment.

Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
Puts forth all the procedures of bankruptcy law. Besides the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, each local district as well as each individual Bankruptcy Judge may also have distinct additional rules.

Foreclosure
The loss of the right to the property that is being paid for by a mortgage. A mortgage represents security/collateral for the money that is borrowed in the form of real estate. A foreclosure is put into effect when payments are not made on a timely basis or as outlined in the mortgage agreement.

Involuntary Petition
When creditors file to place a debtor into bankruptcy. Since the movement is one that is being forced onto the debtor, the option to file under Chapter 13 is usually not granted.

Lien
A monetary claim against a property that has to be met before full ownership of the property is granted. For example, in a home loan, the mortgage company technically owns the house until you have satisfied the lien- in other words, until you pay them the amount owed for the mortgage.

Proof of Claim
Documentation filed by a creditor to “prove” the amounts owed by the debtor. This is essentially a detailed account history of your activity with the creditor.

Secured Claim
A claim that has collateral of equal or greater value than the amount of the claim, for example a mortgage.

Secured Debt
Debts that have collateral attached to them in the form of a lien on property, for example mortgage, car loan, or sometimes IRS tax liens.

Trustee
The court-appointed representative who sees over your assets in a bankruptcy case. In Chapter 7 the trustee is in charge of liquidating your assets. In Chapter 13, the trustee participates in the formation of your new payment plan.

Unsecured Claim
A claim that has no collateral to secure its value or that has collateral of lesser value than the amount of the claim.

Unsecured Debt
Debts that have no claim on personal property or any other physical item you own, such as credit cards, student loans, medical bills, or utility bills for services that have been shut off or disconnected.

Voluntary Petition
When a debtor voluntarily files for debt relief under one of the chapters of the Bankruptcy Code. The filing of the voluntary petition puts the automatic stay into operation.

THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY

There are many things about personal bankruptcy that make it a complex and often intimidating subject, especially because it presents challenging questions that usually come right in the middle of a difficult personal time. Bankruptcy can be brought on by many different circumstances that are sometimes beyond personal control, and having the right information on hand can make this time infinitely more manageable for you.

Bankruptcy alternatives
Bankruptcy is a serious measure that you should take only once you have considered all the alternatives that are open to you. Remember that during times of personal and financial hardship, the worst thing you can do is avoid confronting these issues. On the other hand, acknowledging your situation and talking to your creditors puts you in a responsible position that will be respected. Your creditors might be able to offer you more lenient payment plans or other solutions to meeting your debt. Debt consolidation is an avenue that many people take in order to stop harassing phonecalls from creditors and compile their payments into a single and simplified account that is managed by a third party, usually a non-profit debt management agency. Take the time to speak with a debt counselor or financial professional and thoroughly explore all the solutions you might not have thought of. There are several sources of quality information online that present easy-to-understand explanations of bankruptcy alternatives and debt consolidation.

Types of bankruptcy
If you do determine, however, that personal bankrupcy is your best possible solution, then you should take the time to understand the different bankruptcy chapters and what they entail. Personal bankruptcy almost always falls under either chapter 7 or chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code, and they each differ in important ways. Chapter 7 fully discharges your debts by liquidating your assets in an attempt to make partial repayment to creditors. This is the most common type of bankruptcy. Chapter 13 establishes a new arrangement between you and your creditors so that you can eventually repay most or all of your debt in a way that is more manageable to you. While challenging, this type of bankruptcy offers greater flexibility and greater chance to rebuild credit.

Advantages
Both types of bankruptcy are designed to offer you relief from overwhelming debt and give you the chance to make a new start in life. When you file personal bankruptcy you will be granted a “stay,” which means that you are protected from collection attempts, employee discrimination, and other damaging measures. Bankruptcy gives you the means to get out from under the mountains of debt that seem to make it impossible for you to meet your goals. There are also many economic programs and consumer opportunities specially designated for the particular needs of those who have had to file personal bankruptcy.

Disadvantages
While personal bankruptcy presents a host of advantages when you are unable to meet your outstanding debts, it is not meant to be a totally simple solution that can be taken to get out of your responsibilities. Bankruptcy makes a great deal of your private financial information visible. It will remain on your personal credit history for up to ten years and will be visible to employers and lenders. Chapter 7 bankruptcy means that you will probably end up losing the majority of your non-exempt property and cash. Chapter 13 usually allows you to keep most of what you own, but you are committed to meeting the repayments as agreed in a very strictly monitored agreement.

Who can file and how it works
Any individual can file for personal bankruptcy. In a married couple, either person may file independently, or the couple may file together. Bankruptcy begins when you file a voluntary petition and all the supporting paperwork. This is a request for the bankruptcy court either to discharge all your debts (Chapter 7) or approve a new payment agreement (Chapter 13). The bankruptcy court trustee then makes your creditors aware of your filing and you are granted a stay to protect you from collection attempts while creditors review your information. You will have to attend a “meeting of creditors” along with your trustee (which creditors almost never actually attend). Any questions or relevant points are addressed during this meeting. After a waiting period that can take from 3 to 5 months, you will attend a hearing in which the bankruptcy court either discharges your debts (in chapter 7 cases) or approves your new repayment agreement (in chapter 13 cases).

HOW TO FIND A BANKRUPTCY ATTORNEY?

If you have made the decision to file for personal bankruptcy, it will be to your best advantage to hire a bankruptcy attorney to help you with your case. Finding the right attorney for your needs can be a challenge, especially when you are facing severe financial restrictions. However, most bankruptcy attorneys recognize the situations and needs of their clients and can be more modest in their service charges. Getting in touch with a bankruptcy attorney is just like finding any other business or service. The following are some ways for you to go about finding a bankruptcy attorney:

Ask someone you know
If you happen to know anyone who has had to file bankruptcy, ask if they used an attorney and what their experiences were like. Hearing a client’s testimonial is always the best way to get an inside view on a particular attorney.

Phone directory
Look under “attorneys,” “legal services,” or “bankruptcy.” The yellow pages will doubtlessly list dozens of attorneys to choose from, you should make a point of contacting several and comparing their services and fees. Before you call, write down a list of questions you want to ask and be sure to keep track of the answers each firm gives you.

Referrals from the internet and organizations
There are several sources on the internet that will help you find a bankruptcy attorney. Many people have found valuable advice and information on sites such as www.lawyers.com, which lists the particular qualifications of each attorney in its database. In addition, local bar associations often have referral services to help connect attorneys with clients in search of a particular type of representation.

Once you have found one or more attorneys that seem suitable for you, arrange for an initial consultation. Keep in mind that a reputable bankruptcy attorney will not charge you for this first meeting. A bankruptcy case involves revealing a lot of personal information at a time that is by nature usually very stressful and difficult. So it’s important to see how you feel just talking to the attorney you’re meeting with. Ask a lot of questions upfront, because you’re sure to have more down the line. An attorney’s job is to represent your personal interests, and having the right bankruptcy attorney is perhaps the most valuable asset during your filing. So don’t feel pressured into anything- make sure you’re happy with what you see before you hire an attorney.

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