Wednesday, September 12, 2007

When to File a Garland Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Texas business owners with faltering companies overloaded with debt will seek bankruptcy within the next year. They see it as a way to turnaround their operations while keeping their doors open. Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have many law offices that specialize in bankruptcy law. But not all bankruptcies occur in these areas. There are many small businesses throughout the rest of Texas, and they need help as well.

Finding a Waco, Abilene or Garland Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer with experience is more difficult than locating one in a larger Texas city. And some small business owners feel more comfortable working with a lawyer who is close to home. This article offers some suggestions on finding a bankruptcy lawyer in your local area.

Finding a Garland Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Lawyer

All Texas bankruptcy lawyers should be knowledgeable about state laws. And they will be familiar with state filing procedures. A lawyer in your local area, however, should have contacts at the courthouse and will know the fastest way to sort through the bureaucratic red tape.

If you are in a smaller Texas city, let's say Garland for example, there are several ways to find a bankruptcy lawyer. Most local attorneys will advertise in the local phone book and in online directories listed by geographic area. Other ways to find a Garland Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer is to get referrals from friends or to use a standard referral service. However, just finding a bankruptcy lawyer is the easy part. Selecting one who is well qualified is more difficult.

The best way to identify a good bankruptcy lawyer is by getting referrals from friends. If you know anyone who has previously declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, find out who they used. But you may not know anyone who has been through this. And if they have you may not know about it. In that case, do you have any friends who are local lawyers? Often people in a profession will have their ear to the ground and have inside information about other professionals who are especially good.

If you cannot get referrals from friends, you still have some avenues open to you. First, make sure you find lawyers who specialize in Chapter 11 bankruptcies. At the very least, the lawyers you consider should have experience filing bankruptcy cases. The more cases they have filed, the better. Also make sure you interview anyone you consider using even if that person comes highly recommended.

What should you look for? First, someone you can communicate with well. Declaring bankruptcy is a stressful situation and you will talk to this person a lot. Second, make sure you hire someone you can trust. How can you tell? Do a little research on Chapter 11 bankruptcy before you schedule the interview. Ask them a few questions you know the answer to. Make sure this Garland Chapter 11 bankruptcy lawyer can answer them correctly. Then make sure this attorney can explain alternatives besides declaring bankruptcy. Remember bankruptcy is not the only solution to your business problems. If a bankruptcy attorney can honestly tell you the alternatives available, with the advantages and disadvantages of each, you have found someone who is knowledgeable, competent and trustworthy.


http://www.chapter11bankruptcy.biz/garland-chapter-11-bankruptcy.html