Question about first meeting...

[sbush4806]

Hi,

I have my first meeting tomorrow with my attorney. I will be bringing him all of my paperwork and paying the $300 retainer fee.

My question is, will this be a quick appointment? I didn't ask last time and I'm just so nervous about the whole thing!

I can't imagine I'd have to sit there while he goes through every piece of paper, right? I don't want to, so I hope I don't. I'd like to drop it off, pay and leave! Then, he can call me if I missed something of if he has questions.

I know this is probably a really dumb question, and I can call tomorrow to ask, but it's just irritating me, so I thought I'd ask here!

Thanks!

[HakunaMatata]

My initial paperwork stage was short and sweet. I dropped off my paperwork, asked my attorney a few questions, and left.

No need to be nervous. Your attorney is working for you!

[LadyInTheRed]

Is this really the first meeting? Have you interviewed this and at least two other attorneys? Make sure this it the right attorney for you before you hand over the retainer.

[DebtHater]

I can't imagine I'd have to sit there while he goes through every piece of paper, right? I don't want to, so I hope I don't. I'd like to drop it off, pay and leave!
Thanks!

In my interviewing attorneys I've found each one could do things completely different from others. What will yours do? No one here can answer.

I will say this. If you have to sit there while he goes through everything thing, then do it! You don't want to rush getting the petition filled out properly.

When I first met with my lawyer (consultation), he gave me a list of what to bring should I retain him. That meeting lasted about 1/2 hour.

I dropped off the paper work later that week at the receptionist (paralegal).

Prior to the next meeting with the attorney, the paralegal had our petition filed out (BestCase) based on our paperwork previously submitted. At the next meeting with the lawyer he went over the rest of the petition with us tweaking a few things. That meeting lasted 1 1/2 hours and we were filed and had our case number when we left his office.

It was not fun sitting in his office for a total of two hours. Nor was it fun sitting through three hours total of online counseling. Lastly it wasn't fun sitting in the bk court for 1 1/2 hours (the court was running behind from people that decided to rush things) waiting for us to be called to talk to the trustee for 5 minutes. In total we had to commit to almost 7 hours of "sitting" regarding the bk. This does not include travel time to the layers office and court.

Regardless of how long it took I will say this... I was well worth it! Especially after listening at a dozen other cases at the court. Many of those that weren't properly prepared and were grilled by the trustee. After our five minutes I just left smiling.

[sbush4806]

Thanks everyone.

I've already had the consultation with him, so I guess it's our second meeting, but the first formal one.

I don't have ALL paperwork together. I'm missing the titles to the cars and haven't had time to go get new ones. I also don't have a pay stub and our account went on vacation! So, I guess I'll drop those off later. Hopefully he isn't mad, but I guess he'll get over it! I'm doing my best.

My meeting is at 9 am and I'm literally sick over it. I'm just a worrier in general, so I'm trying to relax, but it's hard!