Am I freaking out for no reason?

[SevenFilerCA]

I don't know if this helps, but as a pro se filer, whenever I had a question, I called the court and they helped me out (perhaps they weren't supposed to! but they were very kind!) But anyway, I had to add creditors, and in addition to the amended schedule, I also had to provide an additional matrix with the new creditors for them to use for their mailing. So if your amendment fee is already paid to the court for their subsequent mailing, maybe you can just make sure they get an additional matrix and all will be well? I think if your case is not yet closed, you can still get it in. The Nolo book says after the case is closed, you can even have it opened (hopefully temporarily) to get in amendments.

[Flamingo]

I disagree. I think most members end up here when they begin searching for information on bankruptcy.

I did and have stayed because I know I can expect more honest, more timely, easily understandable answers to my concerns then I'd ever get from an attorney.

Anyone in the BK process who isn't reading here daily is cheating himself.

As to your last sentence, even those after discharge can find great information on here as to credit and other issues after discharge. We all go through different things at various stages and some of the information and tips are priceless for that time. Especially for anyone looking into refinancing after discharge or during a Chapter 13.

When we filed in early 2002, this forum was not in existence to the best of my knowledge. If it was, I am sure we would have done a lot of things very differently.

[SubPrimeME]

I think that the main reason a lot of people end up on a forum like this is if they are having problems with an attorney. I am sure that the majority of people who have a great attorney and whos BKs are going smoothly are not seeking out advice from a forum. This may be the reason why you are seeing so many posts around here about lazy, uncaring, and stupid attorneys.

I totally disagree. I think the forum helps educate us. Knowledge is power, and the more we understand how this process works the more it helps better us when working with atty's that are slow to respond, or non responsive. BK is a serious issue, and if clients feel they are not getting the correct answer, then this is a GREAT place to turn to. Yes, there are those that bash their atty's and I would question why they continue using them, but the majority of people here are worried about their futures and are looking for a sounding board- again this is the place to be for that!

[Flamingo]

Nice, I think there needs to be a quality grade outside of the atty's offices, kinda like restuarants were required to have. I swear so much of what I read on this forum is from atty's just being lazy, not caring or being stupid. I know there are plenty of great atty's out there, but still how does one really know what they are getting?! OK done ranting now...

No, it's good to rant about this...Prior to filing, no one knows what to do or where to go. Most people have no idea what BK is about, what to do, and it's a major emotional time and many just go for first option that appears just to get things moving, out of the way and done. Or to save money they end up with a filing service and no attorney representation at all and end up having to file all over again with all the errors. There are many good attorneys; there are many fly-by-nights also. Family, friends and word of mouth by others who have utilized an attorney in your family or group of friends is a good start cause many attorneys practice law in other areas and also do BKs. Better yet, folks should call their State Bar Association to get some referrals for the best BK attorneys in one's state/county/city. Our attorney was referred to us by a former boss of mine (attorney) who is still a long-term family friend and while we may have paid a bit more, I have no regrets as this attorney was always in contact with us and answered our every question. It turned out he was/still is one of the best in our state. Fortunately, forums such as this provide that information if the people search in time before just retaining anyone.

[SubPrimeME]

No, it's good to rant about this...Prior to filing, no one knows what to do or where to go. Most people have no idea what BK is about, what to do, and it's a major emotional time and many just go for first option that appears just to get things moving, out of the way and done. Or to save money they end up with a filing service and no attorney representation at all and end up having to file all over again with all the errors. There are many good attorneys; there are many fly-by-nights also. Family, friends and word of mouth by others who have utilized an attorney in your family or group of friends is a good start cause many attorneys practice law in other areas and also do BKs. Better yet, folks should call their State Bar Association to get some referrals for the best BK attorneys in one's state/county/city. Our attorney was referred to us by a former boss of mine (attorney) who is still a long-term family friend and while we may have paid a bit more, I have no regrets as this attorney was always in contact with us and answered our every question. It turned out he was/still is one of the best in our state. Fortunately, forums such as this provide that information if the people search in time before just retaining anyone.

So as a mod- can we set up a recommendation thread? Or is this not allowed?! We could do it by state even... Dunno, I think searching the forum is difficult when it comes researching what atty's are good/bad... Or do you recommend we PM each other? Or is this behavior not acceptable. I just wish there was a way that we could say hey my atty was awesome publically...

[Tbornetun]

I totally disagree. I think the forum helps educate us. Knowledge is power, and the more we understand how this process works the more it helps better us when working with atty's that are slow to respond, or non responsive. BK is a serious issue, and if clients feel they are not getting the correct answer, then this is a GREAT place to turn to. Yes, there are those that bash their atty's and I would question why they continue using them, but the majority of people here are worried about their futures and are looking for a sounding board- again this is the place to be for that!

I am not talking about attorney bashing, I am talking about exactly what you just said. "...when working with atty's that are slow to respond, or non responsive. BK is a serious issue, and if clients feel they are not getting the correct answer, then this is a GREAT place to turn to." This was exactly my point. If they were getting the results or the answers from their attorney, we wouldn't have posts about the attorney not returning calls, etc. etc. If their questions had been answered by their attorney, they wouldn't be here asking the same question again, unless if they didn't like the attorney's answer. But then again the attorney probably didn't take the time to fully explain their answer or there wouldn't be so much doubt. If you were to collect the data on this forum of posts talking about the frustrations with ones attorney as opposed to the number of posts praising their attorney, I think you would understand what I am trying to say.

This thread has been totally hijacked by one comment I made in response to another poster talking about the volume of inadequate attorneys talked about on this board.

This back and forth about why people seek out this board is a waste of time. Everyone has their own reasons to be here. I was responding to a specific comment, not intending to hijack the thread.

Back to the original topic of this thread, drop this banter.

[SubPrimeME]

I am not talking about attorney bashing, I am talking about exactly what you just said. "...when working with atty's that are slow to respond, or non responsive. BK is a serious issue, and if clients feel they are not getting the correct answer, then this is a GREAT place to turn to." This was exactly my point. If they were getting the results or the answers from their attorney, we wouldn't have posts about the attorney not returning calls, etc. etc. If their questions had been answered by their attorney, they wouldn't be here asking the same question again, unless if they didn't like the attorney's answer. But then again the attorney probably didn't take the time to fully explain their answer or there wouldn't be so much doubt. If you were to collect the data on this forum of posts talking about the frustrations with ones attorney as opposed to the number of posts praising their attorney, I think you would understand what I am trying to say.

This thread has been totally hijacked by one comment I made in response to another poster talking about the volume of inadequate attorneys talked about on this board.

This back and forth about why people seek out this board is a waste of time. Everyone has their own reasons to be here. I was responding to a specific comment, not intending to hijack the thread.

Back to the original topic of this thread, drop this banter.

Agreed.

[Flamingo]

So as a mod- can we set up a recommendation thread? Or is this not allowed?! We could do it by state even... Dunno, I think searching the forum is difficult when it comes researching what atty's are good/bad... Or do you recommend we PM each other? Or is this behavior not acceptable. I just wish there was a way that we could say hey my atty was awesome publically...

There is a BK Lawyer tab at the top of the forum where firms can be listed. I know it is not condoned to discuss lawyers by name in the forum so it's best if folks PM each other as to any recommendations.

[BrokeAzzez]

Although I feel that my attorney wasn't the best...I really just need to some advice and comfort knowing that I'm doing the right thing or that the right thing is happening. There are alot of knowledgeable people here and have really helped me from going totally crazy!