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    #1

    How much info to give at free consult?


    We are in the process of lining up our 2nd free consult. The first attorney we met with didn't ask for much, other than our specific financial/debt info.
    This next one wants (potential) clients to fill out and bring with them to the consult a questionaire that asks for SS#, address, phone #s, place of employment, along with specific financial info.
    Is this common? Should we just leave blank the info we don't feel comfortable divulging at this point? If we retain him, fine. But if not, I don't want him to have all of our info, and can't see why he would need our SS#s for a free consult?
    Tags: None
    #2
    He needs that info to file your petition. He's just getting it all in advance should you decide to retain him. It's not a big deal if you choose not to give him that data before you retain him.
    Well, I did. Every one of 'em. Mostly I remember the last one. The wild finish. A guy standing on a station platform in the rain with a comical look in his face because his insides have been kicked out. -Rick

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      #3
      I have a two page questionnaire that I ask potential clients to complete prior to a consultation. There is nothing I can do with a social security # except verify they are a citizen of the U.S.A., but I only require that before I file their case. Knowing where they work doesn't change their ability to file, but if their position involves handling large amounts of money and requires showing financial responsibility then they may lose their job if they file bankruptcy because they are unfit for their employment and can no longer meet that requirement. If they have a bank account with Chase or Wells Fargo then they need to withdraw their money out of it and open a temporary account with a local credit union because Chase & WF will freeze any funds in a bank account on the date of filing BK. It used to just be WF but now Chase has started doing it. That usually requires the person change auto-payments, auto-billings, etc which is a pain, but necessary.

      Anyway - what I'm saying is that there is certain things that need to be known to give advice in a consultation, but knowing the SS# and place of employment is not one of them. Legally, though, the attorney is prohibited from divulging any of it to anyone lest he be disbarred.

      --William
      I am an attorney, but I am just not your attorney.
      As such, any statement is not intended to create an attorney/client relationship.

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        #4
        i would not give any info that i am not comfy with. it's not necessary. i'd give it only when i retain them.
        filed ch7 May 09
        341 june 09
        discharged, closed Aug 09

        Comment

          #5
          More info in should equal better information out. It's probably just part of their standard operating procedure. I wouldn't worry about it.
          All information contained in this post is for informational and amusement purposes only.
          Bankruptcy is a process, not an event.......

          Comment

            #6
            The SS# is often used by attorneys to pull a credit report, after you retain them. Many attorneys have software that allows them to electronically pull a three-way credit report and automatically have it dumped into bankruptcy software, which pretty much fills out the petition. That is how my attorney did it.

            I am not sure why the attorney would ask for employment info, except that again, it is going to end up on the petition if you retain them. Same for address and other personal info.

            Why are you concerned with the attorney having your info? Attorneys are bound professionally to keep your info private.
            You can't take a picture of this. It's already gone. ~~Nate, Six Feet Under

            Comment

              #7
              Why are you concerned with the attorney having your info? Attorneys are bound professionally to keep your info private.

              DH's small business is the main reason I guess. Just don't like the idea of giving out all the specifics to several different attorneys in the area in the process of deciding on one. I don't think they are going to necessarily do anything with our information, but you can't un-ring a bell, and once a person is aware, they're aware. I'm sure the chances of that coming back to bite us somehow, business-wise, are slim to none...but you just never know who all is in everyone's social circles.

              Comment

                #8
                When I visited the attorneys in the area I was disappointed with the first, because he only gave me 20 minutes and didn't really ask me anything other than how much we made to see if CH7 was a possibility.

                It didn't bother me until the second attorney, who gives an hour free consult but spent more than that with me because I was his last of the day asked me all kinds of questions. I felt he had a really excellent handle on my situation by the end of the meeting.

                When I was filling out the paperwork I put "will provide if hiring attny" next to SS# requests for me and my husband. He didn't say anything.

                ~ResearchMode
                A mom on the Gulf Coast of FL filing CH7 and writing a blog about it. (link removed)
                Last edited by Flamingo; 03-10-2010, 03:32 AM. Reason: Personal Link Removed
                A mom on the Gulf Coast of FL filing CH7 and blogging about it. http://chapter7beforeandafter.blogspot.com

                Retained Lawyer: 4/5/10. Filed: 6/17/10. 341: 7/21/10. Discharge Date: TBA

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