Everyone has dealt with that annoying sound when you open and close a door. It eats at your nerves and annoys you to no end.
If you’re like me, you procrastinate, do nothing and let it grate at you for much longer than it should.
Not too long ago, we had a bedroom door that decided it wanted to wake up our son whenever it was opened or closed. Still, we sat back in our busy lives and did nothing.
Luckily, my father-in-law came to visit and oiled that sucker. Problem solved.
Unfortunately, we did not take the necessary steps to make our lives easier and more pleasant. Lesson learned.
Your Attorney is the Hinge
In my opinion, your attorney is the hinge that swings your bankruptcy door open and shut. The success, failure or potential pitfalls in a particular case are decided long before the case is filed or you go to court.
This is why you need an experienced attorney to guide you through the swinging doors..
Alternatively, many people try to save money by hiring “petition preparers” to file their bankruptcy cases. This could be worse than going “pro se” and the financial ramifications can be crippling.
The small investment in an experienced bankruptcy attorney will pay future dividends and ensure that your bankruptcy door swings smoothly.
Keep her Oiled
Bankruptcy is a collaborative effort between the client and the attorney. Clients have certain responsibilities when filing bankruptcy and you are part of the ultimate solution.
Yes, the quality of the attorney you hire is important and there are certain steps you can take to ensure that you are hiring the right attorney.
However, as my colleague Cathy Moran explains, there are also certain steps you can take to make sure you are getting the most out of your attorney.
So, hire the right attorney and then be sure to keep him/her well maintained.
I like to practice law holistically and welcome suggestions, ideas and input from my clients. This is part of my maintenance process and helps to promote successful case outcomes.
Remember, the outcome of your case does not hinge on the 341 Meeting of Creditors or the filing date or the decision of a judge.
It hinges on the relationship you have with your attorney so be sure to keep him/her well oiled and properly maintained.
Image courtesy of arsheffield (Flickr).