Getting lawyer to review instead of hiring for full BK

[anonymuse]

I was finally ready to hire a lawyer, but now I've been sick and missed work and now that's where the money is going to go.

Has anyone every paid a lawyer for a couple of hours of work so that you can just ask questions about your completed forms instead of having them do everything for you?

[jp2861]

I would guess that if they're providing legal advice that could come back and bite them they'd charge the same price.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

I looked into doing that a little bit but just had no money at all, so that was that. There is some sort of attorney referral service in Florida where for $50 you get a half hour with an attorney, but after I did all my research and all my forms I didn't see what an attorney could add, so I skipped it. Keep in mind that I have no assets to save, either, which definitely lowers the risk in going commando on this.

[anonymuse]

The main thing I want reviewed is to see if my expenses are inline with local standards. I'm under the median income and I don't have to worry about having too much equity in my car or house. I guess it's just plain fear. ;)

[rilbrianne]

I would think you could do a lot of researching on your own and get a general idea of how much is "acceptable" in your area. Someone chime in and correct me if I'm wrong. I believe I did but to be honest, my memory isn't so good.

[HHM]

You can consult with attorney's, but I doubt any attorney would agree to what you are suggesting...its one thing to consult "generally" about your situation in contemplation about hiring the attorney, its another to delve into specifics unless you "hire" the attorney for the specific issue...the reaons are somewhat complex, it has to do with attorney-client relationship, professional insurance, and the rules of professional conduct. The purpose of a consultation is first and foremose an interview process for both the client and the attorney to see if an attorney-client relationship should be created.

Think about this...NO ATTORNEY actually offers that kind of service. Also, the new BK law creates liability for anyone who "helps" prepare forms, which would include the type of detailed review you are suggesting.

I suppose you can always ask around...but just be prepared to hear the answer "no" alot.

[jp2861]

The main thing I want reviewed is to see if my expenses are inline with local standards. I'm under the median income and I don't have to worry about having too much equity in my car or house. I guess it's just plain fear. ;)

One thing that may be in your favor is the way the new guidelines for 1.1.08 are worded. New verbiage says you can use the max allowed without being questioned. I tried to find this verbiage for the schedules prior to 1.1.08 and it didn't state it that way.

[ameliabedilia]

When I was trying to figure out about my expenses I looked at about 5 different closed bk cases on Pacer in my area and save them to my hard drive. It cost me about $10 and it was well worth it because I was able to see the whole petition and how things were presented that were different than the NOLO book.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

When I was trying to figure out about my expenses I looked at about 5 different closed bk cases on Pacer in my area and save them to my hard drive. It cost me about $10 and it was well worth it because I was able to see the whole petition and how things were presented that were different than the NOLO book.

That's exactly what I did too, Amelia. I didn't need it for the expenses sections so much as I needed to see the mechanics of doing the schedules (Schedule F, for instance: how to list multiple addresses for a single creditor, how to list collection agencies for a debt already listed by original creditor, etc.) I also found a couple of forms that were nowhere on the local district website but that were being used in every attorney filed bk. So I ginned some up in Word that looked exactly like 'em, filed, and did not hear a peep back.

I *looooove* that NOLO book, but looking at case after case after case helped me more than anything else.

[FreshLikeADaisy]

The main thing I want reviewed is to see if my expenses are inline with local standards. I'm under the median income and I don't have to worry about having too much equity in my car or house. I guess it's just plain fear. ;)

Anonymuse, I'm sorry you were sick. I hope you're feeling better now!

There was one website I went to that belongs to one of the authors of the NOLO Press book on Chapter 7, and it allows you to plug in your zip and you get *everything* specific to your location on the same page: allowable expenses, means test calculator with your area's numbers already plugged in, etc. It is the bomb, seriously. I am pretty sure it's www.legalconsumer.com if you want to check it out. (Note: I have no affiliation with this site, I'm just a happy customer.)