With injury cases, most attorneys do not charge hourly fees. When a case is accepted on a contingency basis, it means you will not pay any attorney’s fees unless we successfully negotiate a settlement on your behalf or win your case at trial. Should we prevail, the contingency fee will be a specific portion of the recovery. There is no fee in your case if not settled or won at trial.

Normally, there is no charge for an initial consultation. If your matter or case is accepted, your fee arrangement will be discussed. In a contingency fee agreement, you will not be required to pay any attorney’s fees unless we successfully settle the case or win at trial. In other non-contingency case, a fee arrangement will be explained and detailed billing will be provided. In some circumstances, there may be a hybrid arrangement of these typical fee structures.

If you have been served with a lawsuit, then you normally only have twenty (20) days to respond. Since you would suffer default for the failure to respond, seeking immediate legal advice would be critical. Likewise, if you have a claim to file against another party, that claim is subject to an applicable statute of limitations. If you have been injured by the negligence of another person or while at work, you should not delay in contacting an attorney. By waiting too long, you may lose your legal rights, as all cases involve sensitive and serious legal deadlines. In addition, it is important to allow your attorney the opportunity to gather critical evidence that may disappear as time passes.

Every case has its own time frame. Where possible, and when appropriate, settlement options are explored and mediation is normally required in any legal proceeding prior to trial. A case is not scheduled for trial until you the case is at issue and ready for trial. At that point, the judge normally sets the trial procedures and time frames for the case.

Not necessarily true. While every creditor views a bankruptcy discharge differently, the key is to use this new financial freedom wisely! Surprisingly, there is no prohibition from applying for new credit as soon as the bankruptcy is over and our clients are normally offered credit cards immediately after the case is completed. Many debtors see their credit rating improve within a year after filing bankruptcy. When a debtor’s debts are discharged in bankruptcy, the credit report will show that the debts listed were included in the bankruptcy and the obligation to pay discharged. Importantly, the debtor’s debt load will be significantly less, thereby often increasing his or her credit rating. If a debtor chooses to reaffirm certain debts, such as a debt that may be secured by a house or car, a debtor can improve his or her credit rating by paying these obligation on time in the future. Ultimately, having less debt, paying obligations on time after the bankruptcy and having increased disposable income, a recently discharged debtor can build a good credit rating which can help a debtor stay toward the path of financial independence. Our office always suggests that you take action to improve your credit and such help is available to our clients as we complete the process to restore and rebuild your creditworthiness and credit score with the major credit reporting agencies.

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a “liquidation proceeding.” You will be allowed to keep your property so long as the fair market value of each item does not exceed the exemption amount for the state in which you reside (each state has different laws and applicable exemptions). Unlike a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case allows you to retain all your “non-exempt” assets. However, over a three to five-year period of time, you pay to the court the value of those non-exempt assets for distribution to your creditors.

Many people wonder, “How can I be expected to pay a lawyer if I am considering going bankrupt?” The truth is that bankruptcy our firm understands your financial issues and is willing to help with an affordable, reasonable arrangement. If you have an income, home, personal possessions – bankruptcy can help protect you from losing those items.

If you are being sued in any court by a creditor, mortgage company, former landlord, or virtually anyone, the lawsuit is stopped or “stayed” – as it is called in bankruptcy – by filing any type of bankruptcy, whether in Chapter 7, Chapter 11 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, The lawsuit cannot go forward without permission of the Bankruptcy Court. If the debt that was the subject of the lawsuit is a typically unsecured debt (credit card or hospital bill), it will usually be discharged in the bankruptcy and the lawsuit is moot. Certain types of debts are not dischargeable in bankruptcy and consultation with an experienced bankruptcy lawyer is necessary. If a lawsuit was filed and a judgment was rendered against you, you can include the debt in your bankruptcy case and usually have the debt discharged in bankruptcy.