What To Look For When Choosing A Bankruptcy Lawyer in Escondido

Some bankruptcy cases are more or less complicated than others. However, none of them are easy, especially if you have no experience in this field and do not possess the necessary skills to handle your case by yourself.

Keep in mind that even if your case seems straightforward at first, only an experienced bankruptcy lawyer will be able to recognize potential hiccups that could arise and help you achieve financial peace without too much hassle.

Will a bankruptcy lawyer increase my chances of a good outcome?

Yes, yes and yes! Hiring a bankruptcy attorney in Escondido, CA and the nearby area may drastically increase the chances of you receiving a discharge in your particular matter.. For instance, it has been estimated that on average only 1 out of 25 people has their chapter 7 (liquidation of your debt) case dismissed or ordered to be converted to a chapter 13 (Repay all or a portion of your debt) case when they are represented by a bankruptcy lawyer. On the other hand, if you file on your own, you will face an approximately 30 percent risk of having your case dismissed or converted to chapter 13. Don’t risk this adverse outcome. Come see the professionals at Chang & Diamond.

What’s more, based on the reports published by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, on average, 60% of Chapter 13 filers using an attorney manages to get a repayment plan confirmed. On the other hand, in the case of people who represent themselves, this number is significantly lower, usually amounting to only 2%.

Chang & Diamond, APC has a long history of providing legal representation in bankruptcy cases. Our hands-on experience with a wide variety of different filing types is what makes us stand out from the crowd. So, if you want to play it safe and avoid any unnecessary risks, you can fully rely on us to deliver excellent results and help you win the case.

Bankruptcy Planning Phase

The first stage of bankruptcy filing includes a careful evaluation of the case based on which the most effective financial strategy should be created. This is one of the crucial steps in this process, so it’s always advisable to hire a dependable bankruptcy law firm that won’t let some simple mistakes put the whole case at risk.

Here at Chang & Diamond, APC we strive to offer a personalized, case-specific strategy to each of our clients that should help them restructure their debt and regain their financial stability. In order to achieve this successfully, we pay close attention to all the case-related details which should help us determine what type of bankruptcy filing our client qualifies for (Chapter 13, Chapter 7, or Military).

Bankruptcy Preparation Stage

During the stage of bankruptcy preparation, your lawyer’s job usually includes the following:

• They are trained to estimate the objective value of your property.
• Your local bankruptcy attorney should be familiar with California bankruptcy exemptions and apply this knowledge to protect your assets.
• Their role is to prepare you for the process, answer all your questions and explain to you the difference between the debts that will or won’t be discharged.

During Your Bankruptcy Procedure

• Your bankruptcy lawyer will help you submit all the necessary paperwork, help you file your financial data properly and tell you what information you need to disclose during the case.
• They will ensure that your testimony is complete and credible, as well as explain all the bankruptcy procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Your lawyer’s job is to protect your interests, negotiate with the creditors and make sure that they act in compliance with the law.
• Finally, your attorney’s job is to secure the most positive outcome possible and allow you to start fresh. With our help, you will manage to turn the bankruptcy to your advantage and come out of this process stronger and more financially stable than ever.

Unlike businesses, individuals are not required to have a lawyer to file bankruptcy. However, seeking the legal advice of an experienced and licensed lawyer is highly recommendable because no bankruptcy case should be underestimated.

Here at Chang & Diamond, APC, we understand that hiring a lawyer in the middle of your bankruptcy hassle means additional costs that the majority of people want to avoid. Therefore, we strive to offer reasonable fees and provide a free consultation and initial assessment of your case. Our Escondido bankruptcy lawyers will do their best to save your assets and money, and help you overcome any financial difficulties.

These are some of the risks you may face if you decide to file pro se (without an attorney):

• Missing important deadlines
• Not being familiar with the filing process
• Creditors taking advantage of you and your lack of legal knowledge
• Filing the wrong type of bankruptcy, etc.

Finding a reliable bankruptcy lawyer in your area may be tricky if you are unfamiliar with the offer and you have never used these services before. If you feel that you don’t know where to start with your search, think about the potential strategies and take a moment to go through the answers to the following questions:

Should I use online directories?

Using online directories is a great way to obtain a list of bankruptcy attorneys near you. Two of them that are widely recognized include The American Bar Association and The National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. Of course, you should bear in mind that these directories do not really guarantee the quality, so you should use them only as a starting point in your research process.

Should I rely on personal referrals?

Sometimes, the best approach is to talk to the people in your community. Law firms with a long tradition like ours have represented thousands of Escondido residents, as well as clients across the other parts of California, so it won’t be hard to receive relevant information from the first hand.

However, don’t forget that every case is different. So, instead of blindly trusting everything you hear, try to distinguish between more or less genuine references. After all, only a real professional can elaborate on why some cases ended in a certain way.

What should I ask a bankruptcy lawyer?

In order to get the information you are searching for, you need to be able to ask the right questions. Here are a few that you should definitely pay close attention to:

1. What is your experience as a bankruptcy attorney? Due to the complexity of bankruptcy cases, you should always stick to the main players in this field. It will definitely be worth it.
2. Who will represent me in court? Every bankruptcy law firm has at least a few different lawyers, so it’s good that you know with whom you will be in contact and who will be responsible for your case. You have every right to request your lawyer’s undivided attention.
3. Why is bankruptcy the best option for me and what problems may occur? You want your lawyer to be upfront about your situation, explain all the benefits and warn you about potential issues.
4. How can I contact you? During the entire bankruptcy process, you and your lawyer should maintain contact and be at each other’s disposal. The simplest way to achieve this is by establishing your own and your lawyer’s preferred method of communication. Also, remember to confirm your attorney’s business hours so that you know when they will receive phone calls.

Professionals at Chang & Diamond can also help you if you’re in need of experienced attorneys anywhere in San Diego or trusted bankruptcy lawyers in San Marcos. Get in touch now.

Before you go online and type “best lawyers near me” in the browser, think about everything that you want to find in your lawyer. Creating a summary of all the traits that you think a reliable bankruptcy attorney should possess can help you make a well-informed decision and secure the success of your filing.

Here are some of the qualities that the attorneys at Chang & Diamond, APC hold in high regard and that have turned out to be a safe recipe for winning even the most complex bankruptcy cases:

Years of experience in the field

Your chosen bankruptcy attorney must possess exceptional operational insight and practical knowledge in the field. Even though your first impulse may be to go with the cheapest option, this is rarely an optimal choice. You can end up being represented by a legal assistant instead of a qualified lawyer, or be stuck with a lawyer who is not really familiar with all the ins and outs of bankruptcy procedures.

Clear answers to your questions

Experienced bankruptcy lawyers in Escondido and the nearby area are well-aware of how important it is to make their clients feel safe and included in the entire process. With this in mind, our attorneys are focused on providing concise explanations and clear answers.

We are ready to go the extra mile to explain the procedure into the tiniest detail and address any concerns you may have. Building honest relations with our clients is our top priority, so you may rest assured that we won’t do anything to harm your interests and reduce your chances of a desired outcome.

Readiness to hear you out

Last but not least, every business relationship should be based on mutual respect. Therefore, we deem it essential to respect your point of view and discuss any potential alternatives that you have in mind every step of the way.

We understand that people generally associate bankruptcy with something extremely negative and undesirable, but what we at Chang & Diamond, APC want to show our clients is that filing bankruptcy opens many amazing possibilities. This is one of the most efficient ways to relieve your debt situation and restore your financial stability. With us by your side, you will feel absolutely empowered and ready to regain control over your life and finances.