Beyond saving you money by discharging a large debt or protecting your home from foreclosure, just what can a bankruptcy lawyer do? An experienced Texas bankruptcy lawyer is not a therapist or a doctor or a mechanic, but a good one gives you more value than just the technical details of filing bankruptcy.
Your Options
A good bankruptcy lawyer does not just give you numbers; a good one gives you options. Say you owe $50,000 on your credit cards, and are falling behind on your mortgage. This is a tough situation, but beyond simply filing paperwork, how can you best understand what needs to be done? An experienced lawyer should educate you on how Chapter 7 might help, what the differences of Chapter 13 are, and if, perhaps, bankruptcy isn’t your best option.
Your Rights
You almost always have a right to file for bankruptcy help. And many of us are unaware of all our rights for this help. You may have a certain creditor calling you so much you’re considering either never picking up the phone again or changing your number. You may have a debt you believe is incorrect. People’s right are abused on a daily basis; a good lawyer explains your rights and protects them. If a creditor is crossing the line, for example, a lawyer can stand up for you.
Educates You
A good Texas bankruptcy lawyer does more than fill out documents, appear at meetings, and settle your case in court. You can likely learn a lot from your lawyer on what happens in bankruptcy court, with your trustee, and how debts can be eliminated. While you may never have to file again, if a life emergency comes in 10 or 20 years down the line, what you learned, even the basics, can be invaluable.
Your Financial Future
If you file bankruptcy, it does not always mean you always made bad decisions, but sometimes you have to admit you made some mistakes. You might have went on some spending sprees or spent paychecks before you even got them. A good bankruptcy lawyer should help you plan for after. He or she may not be a financial consultant, but an experienced lawyer explains what got you into this situation and how you can avoid it in the future.
What You Might Change
How can you avoid a second bankruptcy? What can you do to avoid losing a home again? When is it possible to have wages garnished? A good lawyer spends half his or her time answering client questions, and offering answers on how you might avoid making the same mistake twice. This may be beyond financial choices: it could be on the importance of medical coverage in times where medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy; it could be avoiding certain kinds of loans.
While not all Texas bankruptcy lawyers are capable of helping beyond the basics, you should hire one you can communicate with and who you can learn from.
