Do you find yourself struggling with debt? Your bills keep piling up, and you are getting farther behind with payments. You’ve tried everything you know to work with your creditors, but you are still making no headway.

When that’s the case, it could be time to consult with a debt relief attorney for help. If you’re already struggling to pay bills, hiring a debt relief attorney can seem like an extravagant expense, but how much does a debt relief attorney charge in Georgia?

What Does a Debt Relief Attorney Do?

Debt relief attorneys usually work with creditors to lower interest rates and payments to help settle your debts. Usually, you start with a consultation which allows you to discuss your situation with your attorney and determine the outcome you want. Then, they should be able to help estimate how long it could take to settle your debts. Of course, the time it takes to settle things will depend on your creditors’ willingness to work with you and negotiate the terms of your business with them.

How Much Does a Debt Relief Attorney Charge in Georgia?

Many debt relief attorneys offer a consultation at low or no charge to help you determine which debt relief options are the best for your situation. At these consultations, attorneys typically seek information regarding your creditors and debts. They then explain your options based on the information you’ve provided. They will also usually explain their fee structure and how they determine those fees.

Fees for working with a debt relief attorney vary depending on how complex your debt profile is. Some cases allow attorneys to charge a flat fee depending on the work they do for you. However, it’s more likely that you will be charged by the hour. A typical hourly rate is around $275 per hour.

In most cases, an attorney will base their charges on the following:

• The scope of their work.
• How much and what kind of debt do you have.
• How hard will it be to get your creditors to settle your debt?

Usually, fees are based on how much work the attorney has to do for you. If you want to negotiate with creditors, you could be able to hire an attorney to handle that entire process. Alternatively, you could hire them to perform a specific task that relates to the negotiation. For example, the attorney could draft a settlement proposal.

Fee Structures for Debt Negotiation

Attorneys determine their fee structure based on a couple of factors. Here are a few of the ways they might assess their fees:

• They might charge a flat fee per creditor or per debt.
• They might charge an hourly fee.
• They might charge a fee based on how much obligation you have.
• They might charge a fee based on how much a settlement saves you.

Flat Fees

An attorney could charge you a flat fee for the entire negotiation depending on how many creditors you deal with. The amount you’re charged will usually depend on the kind of creditors you have and how many there are. Typically, an average flat fee can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the negotiation process.

Fees Per Hour

Attorneys can charge you an hourly fee to negotiate for you. In this case, you might be allowed to pay as you go, or you may need to pay a retainer to start the negotiation process. The hourly rate will depend on a few factors, including your location and how experienced your attorney is. A typical debt relief attorney’s fee ranges from $125 to $350 per hour, with around $275 being the average rate.

Fees Based on How Much Debt You Have

Sometimes, an attorney will base their fees on how much debt they have. In this case, the cost is usually a percentage of the debt you are asking them to negotiate.

Fees Based on How Much You Will Save

Your attorney could charge you a percentage of the amount of money you will save with your settlement. These charges are calculated similarly to fees based on the amount of your debt. If your attorney bases their fees this way, your cost will increase with the amount of money you save. That means your attorney will have more incentive to negotiate the best settlement possible.

Unbundled Services

An unbundled service is a specific task you request an attorney to complete for a fee. For example, drafting a settlement proposal is an unbundled service that some debt relief attorneys perform. The attorney doesn’t negotiate the entire debt settlement process with an unbundled service. A settlement proposal letter can get the ball rolling for negotiation, but you will be responsible for handling the negotiation and debt settlement process.

The fees for these services will vary. They are dependent on the complexity of the task and whether the attorney enjoys providing unbundled services. An unbundled service usually costs less than an attorney handling the entire negotiation.

Be aware that many attorneys will not provide unbundled services. It’s not worth the time they put into the work. Some clients don’t understand that an unbundled service means the attorney is not bound to assist with other portions of the case. The bar association in many states discourages the provision of unbundled services.

Things That Can Increase the Fees You Pay in Georgia

A few scenarios can cause a higher attorney’s fee. Those include:

• Your creditor has filed a lawsuit against you for the satisfaction of the debt.
• Your creditor has already obtained a judgment against you.
• You ask your attorney to modify the terms of secured debt, such as a mortgage or a car loan.

To fully understand the fees your attorney will charge, and how they determine their fee schedule, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation with your attorney of choice.

Do You Need a Debt Relief Attorney in Georgia?

If you worry that a creditor might sue you to collect a debt, it’s time to consult a debt relief attorney. An attorney can help you negotiate with creditors to avoid a lawsuit. Additionally, they may be able to help if your debt has been turned over for collections or if someone is coming after you for a debt that is already part of a bankruptcy.

Working with a debt relief attorney can help you if you have overwhelming credit card debt or if you are facing foreclosure or repossession. Your debt relief attorney can negotiate payday loans, title loans, and other debts. They can also help you negotiate with creditors to avoid wage garnishment. If other debt relief actions don’t work, an attorney can help you determine if you should file for relief through bankruptcy.

If you’ve already determined you need to file for relief through bankruptcy, you absolutely need to hire an attorney. Bankruptcy is not something you should attempt to navigate on your own. When an attorney files a bankruptcy petition, it will help to prevent such actions as wage garnishment and foreclosure. Remember, bankruptcy isn’t without consequences; it can significantly impact your credit for seven to ten years.

Another reason to automatically consult an attorney is if you are being sued. A lawyer can help you negotiate payment arrangements if you are being sued for nonpayment. You particularly need an attorney if the lawsuit is regarding back taxes, child support payments, or medical bills.

Debt Relief Options in Georgia

If you live in Georgia, you have a few options for debt relief. Those options include bankruptcy, debt settlement, and debt management. There are two options for bankruptcy in Georgia: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is commonly thought of as a liquidation bankruptcy, and Chapter 13 is a consolidation bankruptcy.

Whether you pursue a debt relief solution is your decision. If your finances are overwhelming or feel out of hand, you may think you have no recourse. The truth is you do have options for seeking debt relief. Remember, you aren’t alone with your debt issues.

Determining which debt relief option is best for you can seem overwhelming. Speaking with a debt relief attorney can give you more focus regarding your options and help you decide which route is best for you. The attorney can help you determine if you should opt for negotiation with your creditors or file bankruptcy to allow the court system to help you with those negotiations.

Discuss Your Case With Our Experienced Debt Relief Attorney Today

Debt is something that an increasing number of people are dealing with. For many people, debt has them feeling like they are out of options. In Georgia, there are several options for debt relief.

Attorney’s charge fees based on several criteria. One method for assessing fees is an hourly rate. Another is a flat fee based on the amount of negotiation that must be done.

Debt settlement, debt management, and bankruptcy are the options for debt relief in Georgia. If you’re seeking debt relief in Georgia, you should consult a qualified debt relief attorney. The experienced attorneys at Morgan & Morgan are skilled in discussing your debt issues and the debt relief solutions available to you. Contact one of the attorneys with Morgan & Morgan to schedule a consultation to discuss your debt relief needs.

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