Josh Birdsill

Attorney fee pricing starts with a flat fee quote for a set of standard bankruptcy services. A general price range for the flat fee quote is from $1,000 to $6,000. Some additional services, which are not part of every bankruptcy case, are priced separately. Examples of separately priced additional services include reaffirmation agreements and motions to avoid liens. Non-attorney fees include: court filing fee, credit counseling course fee, and debtor education course fee. If you have low income and few assets, then you may qualify for a waiver of these fees. Otherwise they total to about $400. Also, you can either obtain a credit report online for free, or by paying a small fee. The credit report must show the last four digits of each account number, and a mailing address for each creditor.

The process starts with an intake form, which is basically a questionnaire that is completed by every potential client. The intake form can be returned in-person, emailed, faxed, or mailed. After the intake form is completed and received, we will meet to discuss whether bankruptcy protection from creditors is available to you, what a bankruptcy case would involve, and confirm that the benefits of bankruptcy protection outweigh your costs. This first meeting is referred to as an initial consultation, and there is no charge and no obligation to retain (pay for) my services (legal representation). Meetings can be in-person, by telephone, or by video conference. If you decide to retain (pay for) my services (legal representation), then a fee agreement will be provided for you to review. You become a client by returning the signed fee agreement and making a down payment of at least $100. In order to file your case, the following are required: 1) Payment of pre-filing fees (attorney and court fees) 2) Supporting documents (a checklist will be provided) 3) Credit counseling certificate of completion (third-party provider) 4) Client will review first draft of court forms 5) Meet with attorney to finalize court forms

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific (Sacramento, California) Bankruptcy Attorney since 2013

During the fall semester of my last year in law school, I joined the on-campus Bankruptcy Clinic. The supervising professor at the Bankruptcy Clinic invited me to return for the spring semester as a paid teaching assistant (team leader) where I helped to supervise 12 other law students. It was a great experience and contributed to the decision to change my career path from estate/probate law to bankruptcy law.

Individuals and small business owners with a variety of debt issues: -lawsuits/divorce -tax debts -student loans -medical debts -unexpired leases -timeshare contracts -mortgage default/foreclosure -residential/commercial eviction -vehicle repossession -business closing -job loss

As an attorney, I will not provide potentially confidential details about a specific case, but I can provide information about the general length of the two most common types of bankruptcy cases: Chapter 7 - can take less than four months (uncomplicated cases) Chapter 13 - can take three to five years (less if paying 100% of debts)

Meet with at least two bankruptcy attorneys, and pick the one you are most comfortable working with. If price is an issue, get a fee quote from both attorneys before making a decision. If the two fee quotes are close, but the attorney you want to work with has the higher price, check if the attorney you want to work with will match the lower price.

If you are considering filing a bankruptcy petition -- until you discuss your situation with a bankruptcy attorney the answer is NO to the following questions: -Should I sell/transfer assets? NO -Should I give away or donate gifts of cash or assets? NO -Should I continue using my credit cards or get a new loan? NO -Should I cashout my retirement account? NO -Should I buy and sell stocks or crypto-currencies? NO -Should I pay a debt owed to a family member or business partner? NO -Should my name be added to someone else's bank account or trust? NO -Should I close or remove my name from a bank or trust account? NO -Should I wait until after my divorce to consult a bankruptcy attorney? NO The theme here is to not make any changes before you understand whether the change could impact an anticipated bankruptcy case. Be honest with the bankruptcy attorney; fully disclose all assets, debts, income, and expenses.