E-Mail from my lawyer.

[debtmonster]

That's a good deal... I paid 2900 total for mine. Had to give him 1400 up front before he'd work my case.

I went in, met with the guy... 3 days later I came back with a check in hand and paid in full... $2500... then after they worked on the case, that's when they wanted $500 more. I went the next day, paid it off and wanted this thing to start ASAP!!

[tnsltwn]

Awesome guys! I gotta say I am REALLY nervous and am just keeping my fingers crossed that once I give him that cashier's check I know it's the right thing but I will remain nervous throughout! A brighter day is coming!!!!! I'll post throughout the process!

[debtmonster]

Why did you give a cashier's check for? Did he make you do that? I just wrote a personal check for mine. Isn't that like $7 bucks plus the hassle to get a cashier's check? It's not like you're going to stiff him with a bounced check. You won't be able to complete your bankruptcy like that.

Both checks that I used to pay my lawyer were personal checks and they didn't even blink an eye about it when I wrote it. Both checks cleared about 2 days after I wrote it.

[HHM]

Only time will tell if it is a "good deal". Yes, it is a "low price". But frankly, any attorney that charges less than $2K for a BK is set up like a glorified document prep service. The paralegal does all the work, you may spend another 20 minutes with the attorney (if your lucky) at most. Your next meeting will probably be with the paralegal to spend 30 minutes reviewing the petition, or worse, they will simply email it to you for your review and have you make any corrections on it before filing. Frankly, you are probably overpaying for what you will "really get".

Many people forget to ask the attorney how their case is actually prep'ed and reviewed.
Who prepares the petition.
Who reviews the petition.
How much time does the attorney spend reviewing the petition.
When it comes time for me (the client) to sign it, who will I meet with.
What if I have questions. Am I charged extra for phone calls to the attorney.
Will I meet with an attorney or paralegal for the final review. How much time is set aside for that meeting.
If my case complex, will I get a strategy or analysis session with an attorney to review my questions and options to deal with the complexities.
etc etc.

[debtmonster]

Those are all excellent questions. I wish I had asked those to this new attorney that I have now.

When I met with the paralegal to do my petition it was a good 2 hours of paperwork and signing, not no 30 minutes. That printer was cranking out stuff like no tomorrow the whole time I was there.

[HHM]

Those are all excellent questions. I wish I had asked those to this new attorney that I have now.

When I met with the paralegal to do my petition it was a good 2 hours of paperwork and signing, not no 30 minutes. That printer was cranking out stuff like no tomorrow the whole time I was there.

That's not too bad, sounds like the office you went to prepares the petition on the spot as much as possible during that paralegal meeting. Still, your meeting with a paralegal (avg hourly rate for a paralegal, 50-100 per hour, as in, what they can be billed to client's for).

[tnsltwn]

Thanks! It's a pretty straight forward case. I have no assets. I'm living at home and have to either pay rent starting next month or move out. I have over 20K in cc debt and no large purchases or special payment in he last 6 months. Just been gradually using CC to live off of and I've made less money over the past two years. My attorney fee is $1250 plus the filing fee of $299. He communicates well and if I call I can get a hold of him and feel comfortable with him. That cashier's check is free because I work at a bank and and I don't have checks.