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02 May, 2024 by Lord fartquad
29 Feb, 2024 by Dario c
01 Jan, 2024 by Alison weinberg-fahey
02 May, 2024 by Lord fartquad
29 Feb, 2024 by Dario c
01 Jan, 2024 by Alison weinberg-fahey
02 May, 2024 by Lord fartquad
29 Feb, 2024 by Dario c
01 Jan, 2024 by Alison weinberg-fahey
16 Sep, 2024 by Gregory rodriguez
Great firm and I highly recommend.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Chris seck
19 Oct, 2021 by Tipp boogie
16 Sep, 2024 by Gregory rodriguez
Great firm and I highly recommend.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Chris seck
19 Oct, 2021 by Tipp boogie
16 Sep, 2024 by Gregory rodriguez
Great firm and I highly recommend.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Chris seck
19 Oct, 2021 by Tipp boogie
16 Sep, 2024 by Gregory rodriguez
Great firm and I highly recommend.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Chris seck
19 Oct, 2021 by Tipp boogie
16 Sep, 2024 by Gregory rodriguez
Great firm and I highly recommend.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Chris seck
19 Oct, 2021 by Tipp boogie
16 Sep, 2024 by Gregory rodriguez
Great firm and I highly recommend.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Chris seck
19 Oct, 2021 by Tipp boogie
15 Jul, 2019 by Ausha
18 Feb, 2019 by Larry castellano
28 Apr, 2018 by Rohit jain
09 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
Thank you Mark for representing me in family court. I’m pleased with outcome which ended up being many court appearances, many conversations, and much communication between us in a year plus. I would recommend him. The help is greatly appreciated.
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02 Jun, 2022 by Catherine
Abusive and not a good choice for anyone who has been in a domestic violence situation. He yelled at me in a the courthouse the day I met him. He failed to inform my of any progress on the case prior to that meeting, and then blamed it on me. I included in every correspondence, that texting is not a good choice, to please use the landline. I have no cell service at my rural house. I have complex PTSD and got yelled at in front of a YWCA abuse advocate and my daughter's (kind) attorney. He then refused to represent me because I cried when he yelled. Narcisssicistic, uncaring and mean. Mr. "Z" from neighborhood legal in Batavia is representing me on another case with my abuser and although I have the same PTSD and lack of understanding of the court process, he has been nothing but kind and understanding. If you want zero communication and to be yelled at, Lewis is an excellent choice. If not go elsewhere. Full disclosure, Lewis was my court appointed attorney during the shift from virtual to in-person due to Covid. That may have contributed to the lack of understanding. He told me I was "making myself a victim"
My abuser was convicted on all counts. I am not a victim. I am a survivor of 10 years of domestic violence, whose abuser is now abusing through the court system. Mark had zero understanding of that dynamic and power imbalance. He lacks even the simplest of human kindness and decency. I was told he had a stroke recently. Perhaps that is why? I wish him the best with his health, but this review is honest and I would avoid him as a client.
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28 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Mark Lewis took care of divorce paperwork for me, or should I say I had to type it myself. He never answers the phone, takes days to answer email and promises next week, next week. I needed a simple letter typed to my ex-wife to request an appraisal report she refuses to give up, he promised for months, I even typed that letter too and gave him names and addresses, yet every time he asks for the information again, after waiting months, all summer actually, finally he says he had a heart attack and can't do anything more with my case when he never did anything in the first place.
He is by far the worst lawyer, reminds me of Joe Pesci in the movie 'My cousin Vinny' accept at least he showed up for his client and at least tried to be a lawyer. If you want the equivalent of a keystone cop as your lawyer, then hire him, otherwise he is lazy and unprofessional and wasted my entire summer promising to help me, to which he didn't.
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26 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Ted Kaplan represented me in my divorce. I was referred to him after two other lawyers advised me that my case was too complicated for them to handle. Shortly after meeting with Ted, I felt a sense of relief that I had not felt for a long time. My ex-husband was extremely dishonest and had been hiding assets for years. Ted was able to untangle the web of lies and prove that assets and income were being hidden by my ex-husband. Eventually, after a lot of hard work, we were able to settle the case favorably. Throughout my entire divorce Ted was supportive and patient. I do not think I could have found a better lawyer and I could not recommend him more strongly.
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07 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Kaplan failed to respond to a letter from my ex's attorney, even though I reminded him. This meant that I had to go to court and it cost me thousands in wasted legal time, not to speak of the emotional turmoil. He wrote lots of letters to my ex's attorney that just inflamed the situation. He was determined to go to trial. I left him midway through the proceedings and found someone more reliable and conciliatory who charged $75 less per hour.
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12 May, 2018 by Anon
Jillian knew the law very well and it was a pleasure to be educated by her. However there was something not right about the way she communicated, she appeared to be distracted or suffering from something that she had not quite dealt with. She performed her duties diligently and the settlement was pretty much as expected. Jillian is a great lawyer but she is haunted by demons from her past and every interaction I had with her exhibited a level of high function dysfunction that lies right on the line between genius and madness. I would recommend her highly depending on the issue. Thank you Jillian for your hard work and commitment and I hope whatever it is that is both motivating you and eating away at you will eventually slide in your favour.
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20 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
Would like to know if you ever worked for Kernan and Kernan law firm in Utica. Really need to know as to a case filed in 2004 by then Jams Hyde for Kernan and Kernan. Reach me at
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24 Aug, 2009 by Jerry
Very Fine Lawyer
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14 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Nathan was very nice when we first met him. However, once the retainer was paid there was terrible communication from the office. They only needed to up load legal documents since this case was a no loose type of case. There were major errors made in the paperwork and it was never fixed. They refused to answer/return calls or emails. We ended up calling the court and finding out that they never did anything with our case. The most work they did was write a lengthy email blaming covid for everything. Loosing our legal documents in your office has nothing to do with a virus.
It took them 8 months to upload successfully a document. It was riddled with errors and missing vital information. After waiting weeks for them to fix the errors we decided to hire another attorney.
This office does not care, even when we changed lawyers they never bothering calling or writing us to see if they could keep us on as there clients.
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21 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
He never answers the calls or returns them. My case didn’t require much work . It was simple divorce. & accidentally when answers . I said are you busy I can come & sign . He tells me yes sure come in . I was there in 20 minutes. Which I told him before getting there. When I reached there he had a client I waited over 25 minutes. On a second occasion the same senario. Both times I leave work to see him since he closes at 5 n my work is over at 5:15. The second time also he made me wait so long I saw Nathan thru the glass window from the waiting room chit chatting with his secretary. I waited over & hour. All to sign 2 documents. It’s been almost 3 months he had communicated with me in the initial meeting the divorce would take 3 months. Don’t waste your time. The older secretary never knows what’s going on. She’s oblivious all the time!
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11 Apr, 2019 by Mayra
I hired Mr Schitssell in the early months of 2016 for an annulment case. The person handling my case quit and misplaced my case documents without leaving it the hands of anyone in the office. If I didn’t call to find out the status of my case I wouldn’t have known it was not being handled. The case ended in the hands of Nathan Decorpo who was unable to get the annulment because they couldn’t the signature from my “husband” so he convinced me that a divorce would be a quick solution as we wouldn’t need signature from the other party. The case has been dragged all this time without any results. I have called the office in numerous occasions but no call or response from anyone, Nathan Decorpo or Elliot Schitssell.
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17 Sep, 2024 by Joshua herr
the best firm ever, W firm, W Lawyers, would recommend
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01 May, 2024 by Jennifer cronk
Still waiting on a call back. I have called 3x. Union Lawyer, I should have known better
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01 Mar, 2024 by Anthony johnson
This Legal Team Almost Made Me Get Evicted. They Never Got Back To Me. The Representative Seem Like She Had A Attitude When I Was Asking Questions. They Put The Wrong Amount On My Case When It Was Paid For. They Close The Case And Never Contacted Me About Doing So. I'm Not Sure If They Were There To Represent You Or Work With The Management Housing Team. So Now I'm Still Awaiting A Call. Lack Of Service is Terrible.
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11 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
The worst lawyer you can hire. She grabs your money and then takes her time handling your case. Every time I call. It’s the same excuse. She’s busy. She not taking calls at the moment. She will get back to you shortly. Days, Weeks can go by and you don't hear from her. I’m so sick and tired of her. I’m ready to report her to the bar and get this over with. Something must be done.
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27 Jun, 2023 by Anonymous
The lawyer is great friendly and very understanding. But her paralegal that is in the office. She is the worst. Rude nasty and gets back to you when she wants. You have to wait days before she decides to contact you. Get you a lawyer who is going to have people in her office who is willing to work. Otherwise you are
Going to wait forever for a response. Highly upsetting to be dealing with a person like that.!
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06 Jul, 2011 by Richard
Ms Walton is one of very few attorneys that you can immediatly trust an feel comfortable with. Her ethics seem to come from her rather than a legal mandate. I feel she put my needs first and her financials second. I highly recomend her.
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31 Jul, 2022 by Wes
This would be my third time going to Mr Herdzik for representation. He handled two bankruptcies and is currently representing me in a support proceeding. I have a pretty good rapport with him (out of poor/fair/good/great/excellent). I’m not sure how effective he might be, but I trust that he will do his due diligence as he has done in my other two cases. Although I understand that bankruptcy and family law are two different arenas, I trust that he will handle my case with care. I have a unique case, but overall not too complex, more so straightforward. His fee was reasonable…we’ll see how it goes!
I’ll be back for an update; )
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23 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
For mother's estate. The whole process took longer than necessary. Had to contact him many times to get info on how it was proceeding. Was a learning experience.
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07 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired this guy for a custody case. He's not a good lawyer. He did not advocate for me and did the bare minimum. He seemed out-of-place in the family court setting. He blindly followed the law guardian's recommendations. He filed paperwork that wasn't worded correctly which caused issues. HE DID NOT RETURN MY UNUSED RETAINER MONEY AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND LETTERS. UPON ANOTHER LAWYER'S SUGGESTION, I SENT A LETTER VIA REGISTERED MAIL (SO I'D HAVE PROOF IT WAS SENT). ONLY THEN DID HE RETURN THE MONEY.
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08 Mar, 2014 by Elzie
Let me reiterate, Mr. Menedleson did redeem himself and handle my case with professionalism and class.
so i can honestly retrack my last statement an recommend his services.
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25 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Norman Mendelson to handle a bankruptcy case for me. He took my money but never got the case on the calendar. He never answers your calls , you just get a answering service, not even a secretary.
when you need a lawyer to help you with your legal problems i would strongly suggest you find someone else. I am trying to get my money back and will be reporting him to the proper authorities.
Attorney's like him give lawyers a bad impression.
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19 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Horrible lawyer! Fails to return calls, emails and his main focus is money not his client. I’d never again hire him or recommend him to anyone! Doesn’t respond to calls or emails once he’s been paid. Can’t keep track of basic information. The staff is much the same. Lack of communication!
I would never pay a dime to this layer again, he’s not worth the money or the time!
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16 Nov, 2021 by Robert & kate mizzoni
Paid to have our will done, then left important medical documents with Mr.Baker and we were told they would be 100% safe in his care and not to worry. He referred us to another law firm for the medical issue and we never got one call back from that lawyer so I tried multiple times to get our medical documents back and they claim they sent them by UPS to this other lawyer. The other lawyer has not and does not have them as we’ve spoken several times. Mr.Baker not only lost the ONLY copy we had of these medical documents but doesn’t bother to take responsibility for it or mailing them to this other attorney without our permission. They haven’t returned calls or emails in regards to the location of these papers!
My parents had trouble getting things handled properly when they used him to do their wills. NEVER AGAIN and we would NEVER send anyone to him!
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24 Aug, 2019 by Gary clark
Had peter represent me once 37 years ago, great job! You want peter to have your ack
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27 Sep, 2017 by Heidi
This is not a lawyer you want to employ if you don't have a fortune to spend on fees - she charged me almost $30,000 during the worst year and a half of my life - I ended up with $78 a month in alimony and am actually having to pay "credits" to a scumbag who makes almost twice what I do...they lost my "discovery" documents, made innumerable mistakes in financial calculations and correspondence (they are a "cut and paste" operation - one statement had some other person's name in my records) - just overall awful results - I am now bound to an agreement that in no way favors me...she is washed up and all talk, no results. Don't make the mistake I did!
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06 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Always late, never speaks up for her own client, uses e-mail for everything, only calls for money, and that is constantly, very expensive for little to show if anything. She tells you how great you are and then couldn't care less if you exist or not, and 2 years later and still no divorce but 24,000 in the hole before I dumped her. Thanks Joan
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06 Feb, 2013 by Carmen
Joan was always late to court. Did not show up twice, made me sit there for 2 hours and never called. I was on the phone with her office, who told me she was in the court house. I even texted her phone with no response. She billed me for things she did not do, or try to do. She also hired another attorney. I was her first divorce case, and was losing due to her giving in. I did fire the firm and went somewhere else whiched help me out. It seemed the only time the firm called was for payment. The bill got to almost $10,000 with no sight of getting divorced. Example of one case is I asked Joan for my Exs financial, she said it was not filed as of 11/10. My new attorney asked for it for my Exs financials from her lawyer and received it 10/10.
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04 May, 2021 by Anonymous
The attorney with the worst ethics. The Attorney General is already on him for his illegal dealings with a cemetery.
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13 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
He took our money and did NOTHING. He never ever returns calls or responses to emails or letters. I had to proof read his documents because neither him nor his entire staff could do it. Even names in the documents he got wrong. These are legal documents going to a count which for the tiniest error could cost us the case. When we hired him and felt we no longer had to deal with the furstration of trying to deal with the situation on our own. Soon afterwards we then had two problems instead of one. The original situation and dealing with Anthony Mordente. I have the emails and letters where he promises to do better my us but he is also a liar on top of being incompetent and a sorry excuse for a human being. I will be taking my case to the American Bar Association. He should be disbarred. A class action lawsuit should be taken against Anthony Mordente.
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26 Aug, 2017 by Morgan
This guy is 100% in the wind and MIA. I retained him for a coop litigation and he took 5 weeks to return a simple phone call. He is also rude to boot, claiming he was on vacation for 5 weeks and me calling him was annoying. Stay away from this guy, I fired him after 2 months.
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15 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Bambury to apply for Social Security Disability. It took 3 years. I only met him at the end of the process when I appealed the initial Denial. He was exceptionally rude and refused to sit near me and did not talk to me at all, not even about my case. He did not contribute with my video hearing with the judge. I feel like a fool for trusting this person, especially since I have a Law Degree from a different state. His handling of my case was unacceptable and I paid the price for not doing my due diligence in researching NY State Law and blindly trusting him and his office staff.
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11 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Kevin Bambury represented me year's ago on a Disability Case. He was very cruel and I was diagnosed with many problems. He was interagating me like I was lying. I would never treat a Client so cruelly.
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12 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
My husband and I went in because the payment of 1414.00 with CCCS was to high hoping a bankruptcy would help. Kevin reviewed our paperwork he advised us chapter 13 would be about 900.00 a month knowing Bob had worked overtime the first 3 months of the yr he stated the payment could be SLIGHTLY HIGHER we should wait about 4 mths and my husb should not work the overtime the courts look at the last 6 months of bank statements. So with knowing this we gave him a retainer of $1000 only to to find out that the payment went up to 867/2 wks the courts go back a yr. We would never had gone this way knowing that the payment is only a few dollars lower, we would have seekked other options. He also told us to stop paying the credit cards, keep the car payment and mortgages current. Now we are not only behind in payments that we would have tried to make arrangements for with Bobs overtime we atre out the retainer fee.
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10 Dec, 2012 by Al
Helped me with my business and personal bankruptcy. Marc was professional, patient, cooperative, and knew his business. Never let anything slip through the cracks, and stayed on top of me for information he requested. After seeing how many attorneys at the bankruptcy court had forgetten information for the judge or didn't know important things about their clients, Marc was like a God-send. He looked more professional than every attorney I saw that day, and he WAS more professional than the rest. I had never been through anything like this, and Marc made it easier to go through this difficult, embarassing, and trying experience. I cannot thank him enough.
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11 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
MR DOWLING BREECHED THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AND WAS ADMONISHED BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR THE MANOR IN WHICH HE HANDLED MY MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE. HE CAUSED ME TO LOSE MY MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASE DUE TO HIS CARELESSNESS AND NEGLIGENCE. THERE WERE SEVERAL NEGLIGENT ACTIONS ON HIS PART. FAILURE TO PREPARE THE PAPERWORK CORRECTLY AND ACCURITLY AND FAILURE TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS TO THE COURT ON TIME.
THIS CAN BE VERIFIED WITH THE STATE OF NEW YORK GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE TENTH JUDICIIAL DISTRICT
FILE NO. ; S- 534-14.. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION. NO OTHER ATTORNEY WOULD TAKE THE CASE BECAUSE HE SCREWED IT UP SO BAD AND I LOST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
AVVO :PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU POST THIS REVIEW AND I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION AND I WILL BE CHECKING EVERY SINGLE DAY. THANK YOU.
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14 Sep, 2022 by Glen
Wow! First of all I am DISABLED so I have trouble doing paperwork online and otherwise. This guy DIDN'T EVEN PUT THE RIGHT BIRTH DATE ON MY FORMS, AND FORGOT TO INCLUDE A FORM ENTIRELY! I TOLD HIM SO and unfortunately I also was upset but didn't direct it towards him, just used some colorful language to express how I am in pain and suffering and it would be nice for people to work a bit harder! Do the job? but he can't apparently as he CAN'T DO PAPERWORK PROPERLY. FIND ANOTHER LAWYER!!!!!!!!!!
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15 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
unbelievable situation, doesn't show in court when he emailed he'd see you there. lost chapter 13 do to his mistakes, not mine
he was wonderful until he became a partner. nightmare
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24 Jun, 2023 by Syed
Lawyer working over there mr shahid is very not professional doesn't know how to file papers..asked our help as a client..made mistakes 6 times filling papers..used to say he doesn't work he just lives his life he is old..
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17 Oct, 2021 by Unknown
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Do for You
A bankruptcy lawyer specializes in helping individuals and businesses manage overwhelming debt by filing for bankruptcy or exploring alternatives to bankruptcy. They guide clients through the complex legal process of discharging or restructuring debts, represent them in court, and work to protect assets such as homes and cars. Bankruptcy lawyers can also help stop creditor harassment, wage garnishment, and foreclosures through bankruptcy protections.
If you're facing financial hardship, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you decide whether filing for bankruptcy is the right option and assist you through the legal process.
When Should I Hire a Bankruptcy Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in the following situations:
- Unmanageable debt: If you're unable to pay your bills and debts are piling up, a lawyer can help you explore options such as Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
- Foreclosure or repossession: If your home is at risk of foreclosure or your vehicle is in danger of being repossessed, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you use bankruptcy protections to prevent this and potentially reorganize your debts.
- Wage garnishment: If your wages are being garnished, filing for bankruptcy can stop garnishments and allow you to regain control of your finances.
- Creditor harassment: If creditors are constantly calling or sending collection notices, a bankruptcy lawyer can stop these actions by filing for bankruptcy, which enacts an automatic stay that halts collection activities.
- Small business debt: If your business is struggling with debt and cannot meet financial obligations, a lawyer can help you file for Chapter 11 (reorganization) or Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy.
- Medical debt or credit card debt: If you have large amounts of unsecured debt like medical bills or credit card balances, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you seek relief through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer early in the process can prevent further financial damage and help you choose the best legal option for debt relief.
What Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Do?
A bankruptcy lawyer provides a range of services to help individuals and businesses handle their debts. Their responsibilities often include:
- Evaluating your financial situation: Assessing your income, assets, debts, and expenses to determine if bankruptcy is the right option and which type of bankruptcy (Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or Chapter 11) best suits your situation.
- Filing bankruptcy petitions: Preparing and filing the necessary documents to initiate your bankruptcy case, ensuring that all legal requirements are met.
- Stopping creditor harassment: Once the bankruptcy case is filed, an automatic stay is enacted, which stops creditors from pursuing collection efforts. A lawyer ensures this protection is applied immediately.
- Representing you in court: Representing you in court proceedings, including meetings with creditors and any hearings related to your case.
- Negotiating with creditors: In Chapter 13 or Chapter 11 bankruptcies, negotiating a repayment plan that restructures your debts and allows you to manage payments more effectively.
- Advising on asset protection: Guiding you on how to protect certain assets, such as your home or retirement savings, through available bankruptcy exemptions.
- Explaining the impact on your credit: Informing you about how bankruptcy will affect your credit and advising on steps to rebuild your credit post-bankruptcy.
How Are Bankruptcy Lawyers Paid?
Bankruptcy lawyers typically charge for their services in different ways depending on the complexity of the case and the type of bankruptcy being filed. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many bankruptcy lawyers charge a flat fee for handling Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. This fee usually covers the entire process, from preparing and filing paperwork to representing you in court.
- Hourly rate: For more complex cases, such as Chapter 11 bankruptcy (often used by businesses), some lawyers charge an hourly rate. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more.
- Retainer: In cases where ongoing legal services are required, such as in Chapter 11 bankruptcies or complex Chapter 13 cases, a lawyer may request a retainer, which is an upfront payment billed against as the lawyer works on the case.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront, as bankruptcy law requires lawyers to disclose all fees and ensure they are reasonable and fair.
How Much Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a bankruptcy lawyer varies depending on the type of bankruptcy and the complexity of the case. General cost estimates include:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy: For individuals, legal fees usually range from $1,000 to $3,500. This flat fee generally covers the entire process.
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy: For individuals filing Chapter 13, legal fees typically range from $2,500 to $6,000. This cost is higher because of the additional work required to create and manage the repayment plan.
- Chapter 11 bankruptcy (for businesses): Chapter 11 bankruptcy is more complex and usually more expensive, with legal fees ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size of the business and the complexity of the debt restructuring.
- Filing fees: In addition to legal fees, there are also court filing fees, which are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13 as of 2024.
Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand what services are included and whether payment plans are available.
Top Questions to Ask a Bankruptcy Lawyer
Before hiring a bankruptcy lawyer, it’s important to ask key questions to ensure they have the experience and knowledge to handle your case effectively. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with bankruptcy cases?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or Chapter 11 bankruptcy. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or hourly rate, and ask for a detailed breakdown of costs, including filing fees and additional expenses. -
Which type of bankruptcy is best for me?
Ask the lawyer to explain whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or Chapter 11 is the best option based on your financial situation and long-term goals. -
What debts can be discharged?
Ask which of your debts will be forgiven through bankruptcy and which debts (such as certain taxes or student loans) may not be dischargeable. -
How long will the process take?
Bankruptcy cases can take time to resolve, so ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to last, from filing to discharge. -
Will I be able to keep my assets?
Ask if you will be able to keep important assets, such as your home or car, and what exemptions might apply. -
What happens after bankruptcy?
Ask about the impact of bankruptcy on your credit score and what steps you can take to rebuild your credit after the bankruptcy is finalized.
How to Check the Credibility of a Bankruptcy Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable bankruptcy lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for bankruptcy experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in bankruptcy law and have successfully handled cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and ability to handle bankruptcy cases.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on bankruptcy matters.
- Check for certifications or memberships: Look for lawyers who are members of organizations such as the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) or who have specialized bankruptcy law certifications.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- List of debts: Prepare a detailed list of all your debts, including credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and any secured debts such as mortgages or car loans.
- Income and expense records: Bring documents that show your current income, such as pay stubs or tax returns, and a list of your monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, and other essential costs.
- Asset information: Provide information on any assets you own, such as your home, car, investments, or other valuable property.
- Credit reports: If possible, bring copies of your credit reports to give the lawyer a clear view of your financial situation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions you have about the bankruptcy process, the lawyer’s fees, and what to expect after filing for bankruptcy.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice tailored to your needs.
