interview questions for attorneys -

[lostindebt]

Hello All,

I am in the process of interviewing several attorneys, and all of them are requesting a fill out a questionaire about my finances including a page that request for me to allow them to access my credit report.

Is this normal?

Also - how do I know that I have found a "good" lawyer?

[HHM]

Having you do a "brief" questionnaire before the consult is a good thing. But pulling a credit report, that is a little over-bearing. But, there is nothing inherently wrong with the request.

The attorney probably use it as a way to "pre qualify" clients, if you are not willing to do a little work to make the consult efficient, then, from the attorney's perspective, why should he waste his time consulting with you.

[lostindebt]

ok, then I wont be concerned with the credit report Thanks!

[2manybills]

I've never seen an attorney ask for your credit report. Possibly it is so they make sure they have a list of all of your debt from the CR Agency, so nothing is left off.

[Flowers]

That's a new one. Never heard of it.

But somehow it makes sense. The attorney would then not have to rely on what the client tells them but would have a better sense of what debt is out there.

[HakunaMatata]

My attorney pulled my CR after I retained him. I wonder if these attorneys intend to do the same. Perhaps they want permission to pull should you become a client? Regardless, I think it's a great tool and opens doors to case-specific discussion (rather than generic BK overviews and/or guesswork).

I don't really know the text book prerequisites for finding a "good" lawyer. "Good" for me was demonstrated knowledge/experience/confidence, efficiently answering questions, ability to calm fears/anxiety, explain and substantiate claims, communicate effectively, and lay the foundation for a strong working relationship.

[CityFarmer]

Our attorney asked us for a copy of a recent credit report. It seems like a good way to make sure something isn't overlooked, but make sure you provide your attorney with a list of your debts, too, in case something is missing from the CR. (I had two debts that didn't show up on mine.)

[Tbornetun]

It is a case by case basis on whether or not we pull a credit report for a client. If their questionnaire is completed entirely and they are sure that they have included everything, we don't bother with the credit report. We do however have each client sign the waiver allowing us to pull the report if we need to.

[forgotten]

I met with one lawyer who said they would pull my credit.
The one I eneded up going with wanted me to get a copy of all 3 and give them to her.

I think they just want to make sure you don't forget any debts. Mine also added the address the creditor used on the credit report in addition to the correspondence address on my bills (if they were different).

[HHM]

Pulling a credit report to prepare a case is one thing, (that is normal), but pulling a credit report for an initial consultations, that is probably overkill. I got the impression from the OP that the attorney's were requesting the credit report be brought to the initial consultation.

[klandsb]

My attorney did ask for a credit report until after I had retained him and then they pulled it while I was on the phone with them...

[joek]

my attorney pulled a CR and charged me $25 for pulling it lol