Iowa Bankruptcy Attorney Fees, Payments & Packets
If you are considering Iowa bankruptcy you have probably noticed fees & payment policies vary from one attorney to another. Some bankruptcy attorneys charge $1500 or more for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy here in Iowa, others $1,000 or less. Some attorneys accept payments, others want full payment up front. Finally, some give you a long packet to fill out before they prepare your petition.
Here is why some attorneys have to charge more than $900.
- They accept payments
Normally due to forces beyond their control, bankruptcy clients have difficulty making payments. So attorneys who accept payments end up spending a lot of time chasing their own clients for payments. Some even sue clients who don’t pay them in full. We would rather spend all our time moving your case forward to a successful discharge and none of our time harassing you for money, so we do not accept payments.
- They use Packets
A typical bankruptcy packet is 49 pages long. You are required to list your property, all your debts, income, expenses etc. before the petition is prepared. We used to use these bankruptcy packets too. Clients hated them. They were confusing. They were inefficient. We quit using them.
We use efficiency to keep your fees, stress & hassle as low as possible. During your one office appointment we will prepare your entire petition and have it ready to file the following Thursday. You will not go home with a long packet to fill out and will not have to keep coming back to the office trying to finish it. No attorney can file your case until all payments are made since bankruptcy attorneys are discharged too. Even if you do make payments to your bankruptcy attorney, collection efforts can continue until all payments are made.
While you are waiting to file:
- If you will be filing within six months, go ahead and do your pre-filing credit counseling certificate.
- Just let your voice mail pick up. If you tell creditors you plan to file bankruptcy they won’t believe you. Or if they do, they just accelerate collection efforts to try and garnish your bank account or wages before you can get it filed. If you have judgments, don’t leave money laying around in the bank, it could be garnished at any time.
- Get organized. All bills neatly in order. Collection letters clipped behind each one. Keep your paystubs so you will have at least 60 days worth when you come in.
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