Filing bankruptcy is a major life decision. While it can free you from financial turmoil, it also comes with substantial consequences, including the potential loss of valuable property, higher interest rates post-bankruptcy, and waiting periods before you can access some types of credit, such as traditional mortgages. You want to receive honest advice about whether bankruptcy is the right solution for you and how it will impact your family’s future.

For instance, bankruptcy may be helpful even if you cannot discharge all debts. Being able to jettison some liabilities can make it possible to catch up on priority debts you cannot discharge in bankruptcy, such as student loans, child support, and some taxes. A good bankruptcy lawyer can apprise you on how the filing will impact your financial position, both positively and negatively.

Additionally, you want a bankruptcy attorney that can help you decide between a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Each client’s situation is unique, and your financial position, the type of property you own, and the types of debts you owe determine which chapter makes the most sense.

Also, you must make key decisions, such as whether to reaffirm certain debts. For instance, if you owe money on a vehicle and file a Chapter 7, you must choose whether to reaffirm the debt and keep the vehicle or discharge the loan and surrender your current transportation. A good bankruptcy lawyer can advise you on the impact of reaffirming the debt and your ability to obtain new vehicle financing after bankruptcy if you let your vehicle go.

Needless to say, you want to work with a bankruptcy professional who helps you make the right decisions. Morgan & Morgan provides clients with expert bankruptcy representation. We get results because our bankruptcy pros exhibit the following attributes.

Bankruptcy Law Firm Should Have Long Experience in Bankruptcy Cases

The ideal bankruptcy lawyer should have at least a few years of experience with Chapter 7- and Chapter 13. Experience in both is especially important because many clients need to make a hard decision regarding under which chapter to file. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer knows the ins and outs of each and which chapter is most appropriate for your situation and goals.

Bankruptcy attorneys with long experience can detail how the process unfolds with each chapter and the benefits and drawbacks. After consulting with a talented and experienced bankruptcy lawyer, you will understand the process and have a mental roadmap of the future, putting your mind at ease and allowing you to plan for what’s ahead.

Excellent Service at a Reasonable Cost in Athens

If you are considering bankruptcy, you are already in financial distress. The last thing you need is a law firm that overcharges, making it more difficult to extricate yourself from financial hardship. You don’t want to get out of debt just to owe your attorney. Be careful of gimmicks. You should understand the fee structure and costs at the outset.

Chapter 7 bankruptcies are far less costly than Chapter 13s. The difference in cost relates to the time involved. Chapter 7 bankruptcies, also known as liquidation bankruptcies, have a faster and much less complex process. Because you are wiping out all dischargeable debts in one fell swoop, the maneuver is accomplished in just a few steps.

On the other hand, Chapter 13 bankruptcies require submitting a detailed payment plan, gaining court approval, and maintaining that plan for a three- to a five-year term. Additionally, you may need to modify the plan due to changing circumstances, requiring additional legal wrangling. As a result, costs are higher and less predictable.

Your attorney should provide you with a thorough understanding of the fee structure and the difference in cost between the two options. Generally speaking, Chapter 13 is preferable when you have a substantial property you would lose in Chapter 7.

An Athens, GA Bankruptcy Law Firm

Local attorneys have greater availability for contact, appointments, and advice than those who are located further away. Your case is located within the county you live, so you need someone in that jurisdiction. in a particular court or jurisdiction. There is no reason to use an out-of-town lawyer when bankruptcy experts are available in Athens at Morgan & Morgan. We get our clients the results they need.

No-Fee Initial Consultation

Before spending scarce resources on legal fees, you want to ensure that bankruptcy is the right course of action. Many bankruptcy lawyers offer free consultations to potential clients. This initial meeting serves to give you an overview of the process and the services the attorney provides. An honest lawyer also does not want to take your money if bankruptcy turns out to not be your best choice. The initial consultation is an opportunity to see if this approach is a fit.

Willingness to Explain the Different Types of Bankruptcy and Your Options in Athens

Every case is unique and needs a solution to address the client’s individual needs. There is no one size fits all. A good bankruptcy attorney tells you how filing will impact you, so you can make the best decisions. Also, he or she can answer your questions in a way that allows you to make the best decisions for your family.

A Good Bankruptcy Law Firm Helps You Make the Decisions

A bankruptcy attorney should work to help you make the right decisions, not tell you what you should do. Ultimately, it’s your choice whether filing makes sense, which chapter is preferable, and whether you should reaffirm any debts. For instance, if you must consider whether to reaffirm an auto loan or give up your car, your bankruptcy attorney can offer advice on the impact of each choice. For example, he or she can explain the ramifications of reaffirming the debt and defaulting later and the process of obtaining financing on a new vehicle after bankruptcy. But the decision is yours.

Excellent Reputation and Solid Reviews in Athens

Attorneys work hard to establish their reputations. It is one of the key factors that determine how many clients hire them and the success of their practice. A good bankruptcy lawyer will have a solid reputation and track record.

To find out more about an attorney, visit their website, which usually provides information about their experience, practice areas, and testimonials. Google or Yelp reviews can also provide insight. Legal websites, such as Avvo, provide additional references and ratings. It is also worth it to check the local bar association website, which lists attorneys and shows if they have faced any disciplinary action.

Lawyers That Are Easy to Communicate With and Honest About Fees

Bankruptcy legal practice requires communicating accurately, honestly, and respectfully to clients. A good bankruptcy lawyer is responsive, offers helpful advice, and never tries to order clients to make decisions. This is a major life decision, and your bankruptcy attorney should be a trusted advisor, not someone trying to push you through a production pipeline

Respects Your Needs and Goals

A good bankruptcy lawyer works for their client’s interests rather than pushing his own agenda. For example, you never want an attorney who pushes you to file just so he can collect fees. This is a choice you must make that has an impact on your life for years to come. Strong lawyers seek to understand their client’s needs and goals and create a plan to achieve them.

Willing to Answer Questions and Address Concerns in Athens

Effective lawyers work well with their clients. They are willing to answer questions and address concerns and are not in a hurry to push clients through the pipeline. You are paying them for advice, counsel, and litigation, not to funnel you through a fee-making machine.

A Strong Athens Bankruptcy Law Firm Fights to Win the Best Outcome

The success of a bankruptcy lawyer should be measured by the ability to achieve the best possible outcome for clients. Lawyers cannot change the law. If bankruptcy cannot discharge certain debts, for example, then a lawyer cannot perform miracles that make them go away. But a good bankruptcy attorney can analyze your entire financial situation and provide solutions that make managing your overall debt situation manageable.

Also, you want a bankruptcy lawyer that is willing and able to fight for you if obstacles arise. For example, if a creditor raises a protest, you need a lawyer to fight back and win you all the debt relief you can claim.

What Are Some Benefits I Receive when Hiring a Morgan & Morgan Bankruptcy Lawyer?

Hiring a Morgan & Morgan Bankruptcy Law Firm gives you a trusted advisor to help you navigate a difficult period in your life. Clients that work with Morgan & Morgan bankruptcy attorneys universally feel more at peace and in control of their lives. After consulting with our bankruptcy specialists, they know they have professional representation and are taking the first step toward escaping from a financial hole and restarting their lives without the burden of unmanageable debt.

When you hire Morgan & Morgan, you gain access to years of bankruptcy experience. Our knowledgeable team understands how to use bankruptcy laws to save our clients from financial ruin. Whether you need to save your family’s home, discharge rip-off loans, or wipe the slate clean and improve your credit, we are here to help.

Consult a Bankruptcy Lawyer Before Deciding the Best Course of Action

If you are overwhelmed by debt, facing foreclosure or eviction, or hounded by creditors, Morgan & Morgan Bankruptcy Law Firm can help you solve these problems. Don’t let debt control your life. Talk to a Morgan & Morgan bankruptcy attorney to safeguard your family’s future.

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