If you’re an Austin residents in the great state of Texas, you may feel too proud to consider bankruptcy. It’s giving up, isn’t it? If you’re in any of the neighboring areas of Austin Texas, such as Andrews, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Brewster, Caldwell, Comal, Coryell, Crane, Culbertson, Dimmitt, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Falls, Gonzales, Guadeloupe, Hamilton, Hays, Hill, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lampasas, Llano, Loving, Martin, Mason, Maverick, Milam, Pecos, Presidio, Preal, Reeves, Robertson, San Saba, Terrell, Travis, Upton, Val Verde, Ward, Washington, Winkler, Zavalla, or any other, you may feel the same way.
Bankruptcy is not for everyone, and that includes Texas residents. However, there are many benefits to Austin bankruptcy,and to hiring an experienced bankruptcy attorney.
It would be quite wrong to say filing bankruptcy is like giving up. It’s quite the opposite: it’s stepping up. You cannot handle debt, and you plan to either pay it back over time or discharge the debt by selling some if any assets. An Austin bankruptcy attorney can help.
What To do Before
Before you even hire a bankruptcy attorney, you should be sure to find the right one. There are many available in Austin Texas, but not all are equal. Some will offer free initial consultations, and this is where you can differentiate them from each other. Most will charge a flat rate fee for bankruptcy filing, so you can go over the numbers. Some will have more experience than others. Still others will be too busy to actually take your case themselves. Consider all these factors in hiring your Austin bankruptcy attorney.
What Your Austin Bankruptcy Attorney Does Before Court
Before court even begins, once you hire an attorney he or she will make sure you’re eligible for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. This can get complex, as some are not eligible for Chapter 7 but are for Chapter 13, or the other way around. Also, your attorney will go over your finances, see what form of bankruptcy will help most, make sure your documentation is correct, and handle any creditor harassment you’re experiencing.
What Your Attorney Does in Court
In court, your role will be very minor. You’ll be asked to appear briefly in court and at your 341 meeting. If your attorney did his or her homework, your filing will be successful.
How Your Attorney Helps After Court
Bankruptcy is a fresh start, and perhaps the greatest benefit any attorney can offer is to give you a second chance financially. He or she can advise you on how to handle your money, what to do if you have to file again, and explain any other legal matters.
