Bankruptcy Questions Answered

Hiring a Bankruptcy Attorney in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte and Naples, Florida

Declaring Bankruptcy is one the most difficult decisions that a person will ever have to make in their lives. So, when you are faced with financial problems, the first decision you should make is to hire the attorney with the skill and experience to help you navigate through these unchartered waters. But where do you start. You start by looking for a Board Certified Attorney in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, or Naples.

As the only Board Certified Consumer Bankruptcy Attorney in Southwest Florida who handles only consumer cases, I realize that Bankruptcy is much more than a financial issue.

Depending upon the individual, bankruptcy can be devastating emotionally, physically, and financially. Individuals who are experiencing the loss of a home need to take steps to regain control of their lives and their finances. The choice of which Bankruptcy Attorney you should use will be the first step on the road to recovery.

But the question is: How do you find an attorney who can help? First: You can ask around but that would let your friends and relatives know what is going on in your life. Many times, my clients want to avoid this option. Remember, the decision to attend a free consultation is really an interview. You, the client, are interviewing attorneys, so that you can make an informed decision about where to place your hard earned dollars.

Many of my clients have never been inside lawyer’s office before. Trust me, there is nothing to be scared of, without clients, we wouldn't have offices at all. Many people coming in for initial consultations are usually nervous and shy. This is not the time to be shy, you need to ask questions about the attorney's experience, firm and the handling of your file.

Second: Many people look in the phone book, or they ask a friend or google bankruptcy attorney on the internet. All of these methods will work with a varying degree of results.

In this instance, I would do as much research as you can on the attorney and the lawfirm. Read the firm's advertisements. Go to their website and really look it over. Is it helpful or is it generic? Has it been updated? Do they have a blog? Does the attorney write for other blogs? Is he or she a member of NACBA or NACA?

Once you have selected an attorney that you believe can help, you will need to take the next step on your adventure. Let's face it, you can read a web page, and it may sound good. But, a fancy website does not a good attorney make. In order to really get a sense of the law-firm’s culture, you will have to call and speak to someone. Once you take that next step, you will acquire more information that will be critical to your decision.

Ask yourself these questions, in no particular order:

What was the overall impression of the call? Cold or Warm?
Does the firm answer its own calls?
Did you speak to someone or were you sent to voice-mail?
Did the person greet you warmly?
Did the person sound sincere?
Did the person put you at ease?
Did the person work to schedule you an appointment at a mutually convenient time for you and the attorney?
Did the person offer free information by mail, e-mail or facsimile prior to the consultation, or, if you asked for information, how was your request received?
Could you feel the person’s smile on the other end of the line?
Did you leave the call with a good impression or a bad impression?

The answers to these questions will probably determine whether you will be attending a free consultation with that attorney or not.

This post was submitted by Carmen Dellutri, Esq., founder of The Dellutri Law Group, P.A. Currently, the firm has offices in Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Naples and Sarasota. Mr. Dellutri also sits on the Board of American Board of Certification. Mr. Dellutri is also one of the founders of the Bankruptcy Law Network, Debt Law Network, Credit Law Network, and Mortgage Law Network. Mr. Dellutri also writes for the firm's personal injury litigation blog and the firm's mortgage modification blog.