RANT - The Paper Mill

[ameangreenbe]

Is it my perception only or is the deluge of bankruptcies forcing attorneys to act as meer paper mills. What I wanted in an attorney was representation and counsel. Ideally, I wanted an objective party to evaluate my situation and suggest options and consequences of the same. What I feel I have received is a bit or a brush off and direction to simply go along with the prescribed program and not ask any challenging questions.

Is it just me?

[bksmith12345]

We were so nervous through the process to confirmation. I would email my attorney like mad. In the beginning he all ways got right back me even on Chrismas Eve.

Then once we filed it was harder to get him or the paralegal to respond. We met with him to revise our plan and realized this guy knows what he is doing and we should calm down.

So, we let him do his thing. I have to tell you I did not think our plan would get confirmed. Well, it did.

Everything he told us came to pass.

If you fell comfortable with your attorney all should be fine.

All the Best!

[optimistic1]

Unfortunately, this occurs quite frequently, as I fired my first law firm, because they did just that.

[justbroke]

No. There are indeed Bankruptcy mills. Generally speaking, you can tell those from the real deal by the number (volume) of Bankruptcies they do. they also have really low pricing too. They have flashy advertising and attract you with their "Only $199 Initial Retainer"... only to learn that's all it is... an initial retainer.

However, these high volume Bankruptcy law practices do have their good side. For the simple, easy, no asset Chapter 7 case or routine Chapter 13... they are economical. (Economical if their fees are reasonable and lower than the more "custom" service.)

Most people can't afford to pay a Bankruptcy attorney's fees at his hourly rate (easily $200 or more an hour, and that's just for the paralegal!). You have weigh what you want to get for your money.

Just as there are people completely happy with Wal*Mart, BJs, and CostCo... all high volume with low prices... there are people who despise those places and would rather shop at stores like Whole Foods, Publix, and/or the corner butcher shop. (Nothing bad suggested at shopping any of those places.) However, they are different. They cater differently. They may even carry some of the same products, but their cost is different.

You get to choose. (Alas, after all that, I do agree with the general mill concept, but with all the cases these days, it almost has to be a factory somewhere to process all these cases!)

[Flamingo]

Learn who are the best BK attorneys in your state by either calling your State Bar Association and asking or do a search online. Many states have magazines with articles or other events that honor top attorneys in their fields. We had the best BK attorney in our state (recommended by a former lawyer boss of mine) and while I thought we paid a bit high for a Chapter 13 in early 2002 ($1800), it was worth every penny. You get what you pay for. Avoid the Firm mills. Don't call the place advertising on TV at 2:00 a.m.

[justbroke]

Don't call the place advertising on TV at 2:00 a.m.

Nor the place selling George Foreman Grills!

(These are exactly the places to avoid!)

[Billssuck]

My attorney only does ch7 and ch13s period. Nothing else. Actually, I did some reading on here before I saw him and you all confirmed he was the real deal. I walked in understanding the situation and he was giving me good information. Now to the state specific information and how our district looks at things, he had to give me his expertise on it from all of the cases he has filed.

Very cool on his part but I just walked into his office to drop off some creditor/collection agency letters I got (after filing; illegal on their part) two days ago and he came right out of his office and answered my questions. I didn't have an appointment and I was impressed that he did that for me. Now I just hope that he goes this good for the long haul....

[broncho14]

My attorney has been verey good. He averages one to two Chapter 13's a month. He also does Chapter 7's and other types of business law. He knows the customs of the court and he has good relations with the judges and trustee. He knows what will work and what won't work. He is a very good behind the scenes deal maker. I did not always like what he told me but I knew he was being honest. He gave my case a lot of attention. I met with him five times before we went to the 341 and twice afterwards before he went in to negotiate with the trustee. I came out on the better end. When I was at my 341 I saw two lawyers handle cases for 17 out of 24 people. There is no way that they could have got the same level of service as I did. I went against the grain and hired a guy that was a little more expensive up front but he saved me over $18,000 over a five year period. (Trustee proposed $1200 a month, we proposed $800 and settled on $900 a month). I think if I would have had another attorney my outcome would have not been as good as it has turned out. Just my experience.

[CH33 Paralegal]

If you have a standard case that doesn't require tons of interaction, then a volume firm is good. If you need to feel like your attorney is working for you specifically, then you need someone who simply doesn't have a lot of cases going on.

There's positives and negatives for that.
Volume +: A accepted standard consistent approach. Large think tank. Compounded decades of experience. Accessibility*. Support if one man goes down.

volume -: Perceived as "cookie cutter". Case will be looked at as case #. Blaz-zay attitude towards YOUR case specifics. However, it's because they know what to do and know whether or not it needs to be worried about.

Boutique +: Small, knows your case personally, can devote more time and attention to complex issues.

Boutique -: Boutique for a reason? not a lot of cases for a reason? One man-show. No 2nd atty if that one isn't available. Not as consistent because how can you be when you don't do a lot.