Bankruptcy, unlike other areas of the law, is an extremely personal decision that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. For many consumers the need for bankruptcy assistance is obvious, but because of the stigma of bankruptcy and/or misinformation about the long term effects, many consumers put off finding help until there is no other alternative. So with that in mind, how does a consumer in need of bankruptcy find help?

Typically, many people turn to friends, family or coworkers for a referral when they need a Lawyer. But again, because of the personal nature of bankruptcy, many people avoid disclosing to friends and family the need for help. Traditionally, the yellow pages were the number one source for information when locating a Bankruptcy Attorney. With the increase of multimedia and internet access, finding an attorney is as easy as typing in the word ‘bankruptcy’ in your favorite search engine. Literally, thousands of resources are available at your fingertips. With all this information available, how do people decide which attorney to choose? The four key areas that a consumer should understand before they hire an attorney are as follows:

The first key area to consider is personality…Here are a few things to think about when choosing a Bankruptcy Attorney. The most important thing that a consumer should look for in a Bankruptcy Attorney, or any professional for that matter, is personality. Not, do they have a good personality, but rather, are they easy to speak with and do they speak at a level that is easy to understand. As referred to above, bankruptcy can be a very difficult decision for most consumers and can cause a lot of anxiety. Having an attorney that can make a consumer comfortable will help the process of filing for bankruptcy much less stressful.

The second key area…Look for an attorney that focuses primarily on bankruptcy. As with many aspects of the law, the practice of bankruptcy law is becoming more and more specialized. Gone are the days when an attorney could hang out a shingle and handle all types of matters. Bankruptcy does not have to be the only area that they practice in, but it should be their primary focus.

The third key area is availability and accessibility is another aspect to look at when choosing an attorney. 24/7 access is not necessary when picking an attorney, but knowing when are good times and how to contact them with a question or concern is critical to ease the anxiety of bankruptcy.

The fourth and final key area … Process is another important aspect when choosing an attorney. What is their process for dealing with new and existing bankruptcy clients? Many attorneys have a process that they follow to make sure that everything is accomplished in a given time period. Knowing their process will help the consumer understand what is happening, which again helps lower the stress. Consumers should be comfortable with the process so that the bankruptcy can go as smooth as possible.

Remember when consumers are looking for the right person to assist them, they should carefully consider who they choose. Personality, Focus, Availability and Process are four key areas that a consumer should understand before they hire an attorney.