When someone finally makes the decision to file for bankruptcy, the first thing they'll need to do is find a bankruptcy attorney that will work well with them. Before beginning the consultation process, a person should take some time and cruise around the Internet digging up information on bankruptcy filing. When using the Internet for information always try to cross reference the information with multiple websites so you get the idea that it is correct. Always look on the webpage to see if there's anything that would date the site and the information inside. Filing bankruptcy is a time sensitive topic as the code is constantly changing. There are many good websites that are hosted by bankruptcy attorneys and even have their own question and answer sections. Look for questions and answers that might apply to your particular situation. After spending some time educating yourself on the bankruptcy filing process, jot down a few questions to take to the bankruptcy attorney when you go in for a consultation.

When it's time to look for a bankruptcy attorney, one should remember that filing bankruptcy is a team sport and not an individual operation. Look at the hiring of a bankruptcy attorney as adding a member to your team. If you want to have a successful team, you should find people that get along and work well together. A person filing bankruptcy will be spending a lot of time contacting and sharing information with a bankruptcy attorney and their staff and should have total confidence in these people. When people get intimidated, many times they will leave out important details that might be pertinent to be included in their bankruptcy petition. Having an attorney that a person can feel comfortable sharing their failures with can be invaluable for a successful bankruptcy discharge.

There are websites online that have bankruptcy attorney referral services, if someone doesn't know where to look. It's always good to check with the local bar and make sure that the bankruptcy attorney that you're interested in doesn't have any complaints against them. It's hard to find a suitable attorney by asking around as most people don't want to share any personal information about them filing bankruptcy.

After finding the proper legal representation, the whole process of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy will take about 4 to 6 months. After the bankruptcy attorney files a bankruptcy petition with the court, the debtor will enjoy the quietness of the automatic stay because creditors will no longer be able to contact them. When it comes to filing bankruptcy honesty is the best policy and always make sure that you share everything with the attorney including income, assets, debts and property. Let the bankruptcy attorney earn their money and decide how to proceed with the bankruptcy filing. Hiding information can only end up in a dismissal in the least.