$3,500 to much?

[Blackgoose]

Found an amazing attorney. She has 30 years if experience. So far the only attorney we have liked. However... Her fee is $3,500 for a complete chapter 7. Would anyone pay that?

[keepsmiling]

It's a little bit high. We spoke to one here in NJ who charges that much, and I am sure prices are much higher here in general than Utah.
But if you love her, it might be worth it.
OTOH, I don't think you have a very complicated case, right? Perhaps you should keep interviewing.
Why do you like her better than the others? I assume she is more responsive than the others.

[CCM620]

Mine quoted me about $1750 with the bk filing fee. Looks like thats around what most charge. Ifs its a pretty straightforward case, then I dont see why you would pay any more. Ifs its very complicated It may make sense. But your bankrupt right, so why bother.

[helpmeout]

I wouldn't pay that as that is bit steep. I'm in NJ, and I paid less than $2K. To be honest, I'm surprised at that high amount since you are in Utah.

[mountanddo]

I would see what the going rate is where you live. What were the others you didn't like charging? It might be worth going with someone that your wife trusts given the circumstances you started out with.

[HHM]

Hard to say, no one, and I mean no one hear has any context for understanding what a FAIR cost for YOUR bankruptcy would be. Is $3,500 a bit on the high side, but maybe you have some complexity in your case, maybe the attorney is full service...meaning she does not exclude items from the agreement like reaffirmation agreements, post filing contact, adversary proceedings, etc.

I would see what the going rate is where you live. What were the others you didn't like charging? It might be worth going with someone that your wife trusts given the circumstances you started out with.

I think that is of "limited" benefit. The underlying assumption is that the attorneys are offering the same thing, that is NOT the case and misunderstands attorney fees. You are not buying a gallon of milk. There are primarily 3 factors that go into an attorney fee.
1. Expertise of the attorney (generally, the more experienced and more qualified the attorney, the more you will pay).
2. Complexity of the matter: this aspect combines two aspects, the legal complexity and expected time commitment by the attorney. A social security widow with no assets will generally be charged less than a family of 5 with 2 incomes and non-exempt assets.
3. Level of service to be provided: This goes more directly to anticipated time spent, is the attorney excluding any particular service (very common in the BK industry), is phone time with the attorney extra, will you be able to get questions answered.

There have been many people on this forum that went the "cheap" route only to regret it when they couldn't get a return call, get questions answered, and sometimes had their jeopardized.

[keepsmiling]

Here in NJ, this is what I have found so far. All attorneys are highly experienced and highly rated and the fee includes the same thing.
2000- current trustee, single practitioner
2200-was a trustee, " "
1800- highly rated on Avvo, a boot camper , previously worked "the other side of the fence", spent an hour and a half with us and offered more if necessary
3500- larger firm, would deal almost exclusively with a para, but offered a discount as a "professional courtesy"

ETA: none include filing fee or courses

[tobee43]

after pricing and interviewing many attys, 3500 does sound a bit high to me. even if you had an ap, most likely that would be a separate charge anyway, or at least in most cases. also, if it's a chapter 7 i do understand if it is an asset case it could be more time consuming, however, i still think you can find a very capable atty for less. we had extremely complex issues and paid $1500, although that DID not include any adverse proceedings.

[BKAttyMI]

You will generally get what you pay for, there are boutique bankruptcy attorneys out there charging fees in the $3000-$4000 range for specialized "hand-holding". If this is what you need, by all means go for it. A boutique will give you personal attention and information, while a large firm will likely only give you basic information and generic attorneys. Go with what you are comfortable with.

[tobee43]

You will generally get what you pay for, there are boutique bankruptcy attorneys out there charging fees in the $3000-$4000 range for specialized "hand-holding". If this is what you need, by all means go for it. A boutique will give you personal attention and information, while a large firm will likely only give you basic information and generic attorneys. Go with what you are comfortable with.

that's an excellent point. as many do have the dispositions that require that "extra" attention. many times i agree that is worth every penny...kinda like flying virgin airlines first class ;) if i had had the money i would have gone for the hand holding if i felt as though i needed it.

however, we can't lose sight that much of the basic work is done by the client and not the atty's office. it's up to the client to provide all the pertinent information to complete the process, even the best atty can't help a client that has a difficult time providing them what they need to do their job.

[IamOld]

If I may - handholding is not a bad thing at all :-)

[tobee43]

If I may - handholding is not a bad thing at all :-)

agreed, i'm a big fan of hand holding LOL!!

[donnao]

I'm in new jersey and my attorney was $2700. he did a good job!

[Blackgoose]

Hey guys. Thanks for the great feedback. What the heck is wrong with Utah? I'm can't get her to return my calls now? How long do you wait to hear back? It's been 8 days now.

[tobee43]

Hey guys. Thanks for the great feedback. What the heck is wrong with Utah? I'm can't get her to return my calls now? How long do you wait to hear back? It's been 8 days now.

did you pay her anything yet???