If you are considering filing bankruptcy, hiring the right bankruptcy attorney can be one of the most important decisions you make. There’s a lot of information online about filing for bankruptcy, but not enough information about how to choose the right bankruptcy lawyer.
Choose the experienced bankruptcy legal team at Stiberman to help you get a fresh start
Robert Stiberman is a top rated bankruptcy lawyer serving Fort Lauderdale. Your success is our main goal at Stiberman Law. Robert Stiberman is one of the top bankruptcy attorneys in South Florida with a track record of success to prove it. Both the attorney and office team consistently receive positive reviews for their hard work.
What is it like working with bankruptcy attorney Robert Stiberman?
At Stiberman Law we understand bankruptcy and we practice primarily in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. We appear in court on a daily basis and are familiar with the Local Rules specific to this court which is critical to the best possible outcome of your case.
We take your case seriously and our process involves:
- A complimentary consultation in our Fort Lauderdale location conveniently located in 110 E Broward Blvd, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 to evaluate if we can help you and if bankruptcy is right for you.
- Affordable fees and we provide payment plans. We understand you are undergoing financial issues and our fees and payment plans take that into account.
- We keep you informed every step of the way and respond to questions either immediately or within the same day.
- We will send you your case number and post filing instructions within minutes of filing your case.
- We are available to meet with you in various offices throughout Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County.
- We are fluent in English and Spanish. Se habla Español.
- You will have a team working towards your best possible outcome. Your legal issue is our top priority.
What to look for in a Ft Lauderdale bankruptcy attorney?
You are facing financial issues and are looking for a good Ft Lauderdale bankruptcy attorney that understands your legal issue and can provide you with sound legal options. You are seeking bankruptcy protection and want to ensure you find the best bankruptcy attorney in the Fort Lauderdale area.
Level of Experience and Expertise – Experienced bankruptcy lawyers
One of the most important things to look for when comparing Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy lawyers is their level of experience and expertise. Bankruptcy is highly technical, and requires familiarity with Federal and Local Rules.
A bankruptcy lawyer will acquire most of his or her knowledge through years of bankruptcy practice representing clients and appearing in court, rather than from law school or reading up on the subject after graduating.
Things to look for concerning a bankruptcy attorney’s experience:
- How many bankruptcy cases has the attorney filed?
- How long has the lawyer been practicing in the area of bankruptcy law?
- What is the lawyer’s success rate in getting debts discharged?
Regularly Practices Bankruptcy Law in your Area
Broward County residents filing bankruptcy in the Southern District of Florida will be assigned to the Ft Lauderdale division of the Bankruptcy court.
Although bankruptcy is Federal Law, the Court for the Southern District of Florida has a set of Local Rules and local forms that also require compliance. Failure to abide by these rules can result amongst other things in a dismissal of your bankruptcy case.
Additionally, since your bankruptcy Trustee will administer your Bankruptcy case, it is extremely helpful for an attorney to be familiar with the Ft Lauderdale’s Trustee’s requirements and operating procedures. An experienced attorney will likely have appeared in front of your Fort Lauderdale chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy Trustee numerous times prior to your case.
Credentials
In addition to being a licensed Florida attorney, a bankruptcy lawyer is required to be admitted or allowed to practice in the Court for your region. Bankruptcy attorneys representing Ft Lauderdale residents in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida must be admitted to practice in that court, unless having received special permission from the Court.
Reviews, Ratings and Recognitions
Reviews are important and read more than one to get a more accurate picture. Look for a 4.5 star rating as a minimum and check for experiences similar to the one you are facing.
Accreditations form third party sites such as Avvo are also good things for your attorney to have.
Office Locations and Accessibility
It’s a good idea for your attorney to have an office close to you so you can meet them in person, see where they work, meet their staff and be able to quickly drop off documents if needed.
Personality and Communication Skills
Feeling comfortable with your attorney and working with a bankruptcy lawyer with good customer service skills is essential.
Getting along with your attorney plays a key role in an effective attorney client relationship. Filing for bankruptcy involves a great deal of communication with your attorney and attorney’s staff. You will be asked to provide documents and information prior to filing as well as information required after you file such as Trustee requested documents. If you are filing Chapter 13 you may be required to provide certain documents and make quick and necessary changes to your Chapter 13 plan more than once after you file.
Language Skills
If english is not your first language and you feel more comfortable communicating in your language, it may be a good idea to find a bankruptcy lawyer who speaks your language or who has staff that does.
Other Factors to Consider
Although there is nothing wrong with a lawyer working on his own, and there are many lawyers who provide professional representation without any support staff, filing for bankruptcy involves a lot of moving parts where more than one person working on your file can be beneficial.
Bankruptcy involves responding to your Trustee and dealing with court deadlines in a time sensitive manner. A good team working with you can make all the difference in the world.
Why do you need a bankruptcy attorney?
Although the law allows individuals to file for bankruptcy without a lawyer, or pro se, the complexities of the bankruptcy code and potential bankruptcy consequences merit a detailed analysis as to why you need a bankruptcy attorney.
Our bankruptcy attorney will advise you if bankruptcy is right for you?
A bankruptcy lawyer at Stiberman Law will review your debts, assets, and financial history prior to recommending if bankruptcy is right for you. In many cases we do not recommend filing.
Our Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy attorney will examine how much debt you have and the pros and cons of filing.
Which debts can be discharged in bankruptcy? What about Student Loan Debt?
Understanding what debts can be discharged in bankruptcy or debt discharge is important in determining if bankruptcy is right for you. Our dedicated team will obtain a credit report to ensure we list all of your debts. Our attorney will then discuss with you secured vs unsecured debts, tax debts, the effect on credit scores, and what debts can be discharged.
Plan today for a better tomorrow. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer in Fort Lauderdale.
At Stiberman Law, our bankruptcy attorneys understand that getting out of debt can feel like an impossible hurdle to overcome. With creditors calling every day, the cost of living increasing, and interest rates on credit cards just eating into your monthly payments, getting out of debt is often an uphill battle. Our experienced attorneys offer debt relief solutions and practical strategies that will help you find your financial footing.
If you are struggling to make ends meet because of credit card bills, medical bills, and other debt, filing for bankruptcy may be the right option. Led by Robert Stiberman, an experienced bankruptcy attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Stiberman Law can help you through bankruptcy and finally find the relief that comes with financial freedom. Call (954) 932-7804 to schedule a free consultation.
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