Bankruptcy in itself is an ugly thing, but choosing a bankruptcy attorney is even uglier if you don’t know what to look for. Choosing a good attorney will make sure that you don’t end up losing more than what bankruptcy will cause you. You have to have a good attorney because the bankruptcy laws have recently been changed, and in our case, you actually have to be approved for bankruptcy first, meaning that filing may not even be an option.

Unlike before that you can file for bankruptcy all by yourself, you can no longer do that now, because a single mistake that you may make during the process will just make you return to square one. Even with a lawyer, this entire process is very tedious and takes months to complete. I presume that you don’t have time on your dies and you would want to start earning again right away.
One of the more negative effects of bankruptcy is the very bad image it marks on your credit reports for the next 7 to 10 years. Because of this, choosing a good bankruptcy lawyer should be considered first, by:

1. Set a meeting with the attorney and make sure that you are not uncomfortable discussing issues with him. You have to have confidence in him that he is able and competent to represent you. They should be able to explain the procedures thoroughly and are able to help you understand step by step.
2. The attorney should be able to provide you with a list of fees that you are about to encounter, and be able to explain to you why you have to pay them and make sure that he is not making money out of you, as well.
3. Make sure that the attorney allows you to try to reduce some of those fees if you find that they are not necessary if they can all be done yourself. For example, running around to get forms and data, etc.
4. Ask other people if they can recommend a good attorney. Preferably a recommendation from someone who has already used the attorney in the past and has had good experience with them.
5. You have to make sure that the attorney is familiar with the bankruptcy laws, especially the ones applicable in your state. You may ask what he has handled in the past and recently since the laws have been changed.

Choosing a lawyer is more than choosing one with a law degree. Make sure that he is a competent lawyer who will represent you well. In the end, he will save you more money even if he may be expensive to hire now.