A bankruptcy lawyer may be the answer if you are having problems keeping up with your bills or simply cannot pay them anymore. These are trying times for any American. With many businesses failing, and ever dwindling supply of jobs, many Americans are struggling. Perhaps filing for bankruptcy has been in your mind for awhile. If so, then you need to read on for some helpful advice that will save you time and money.

Finding an attorney to help you figure out your financial situation can be stressful. After all, you will have to trust someone to advise you on your future finances. They will be helping you make decisions that will alter your credit status for the next seven years or longer. After filing, you may be putting up some of your assets to be liquidated. This is a scary proposition, so you want a bankruptcy lawyer you can fully trust and who you know is successful.

The good news about bankruptcy is that it will keep your creditors from hounding you about the money you owe. You cannot have any property repossessed nor can your creditors contact you via e-mail, phone, or any other means. Any foreclosure proceedings on your house will be immediately halted. Also, any pending lawsuits or legal actions that garnish your wages—such as child support and paternity suits—will be temporarily suspended. A good bankruptcy lawyer will be able to guide you through this process and help you end up in the best financial position.

Choosing a bankruptcy lawyer may be easier than it seems, but it does require some research on your part. You can start by getting a list of lawyers from the Yellow Pages or other online directories. You will want to focus on attorneys who know the laws of your particular state because the laws regarding bankruptcy can be widely different depending on where you live. Even selecting a local lawyer would be helpful as they likely know the particular laws of your county as well as your state, and there may be additional stipulations that apply.

The next thing you’ll want to do may not be so obvious at first, but is usually where most people acquire a good attorney. It is through friends, family and word of mouth. Surely you know someone who has gone through bankruptcy proceedings. They are your best resource to help prepare you for this rather intimidating process, and they may be able to point you towards a very good lawyer. If anything, perhaps they have had a divorce or DUI. Perhaps their attorney can point you in the right direction.

The very best thing about a qualified bankruptcy lawyer is that they will be able to advise you. This does not simply mean advice about bankruptcy, although they can certainly provide that as well. But in the bigger picture, they can provide advice to you as to what your other options and alternatives are. You see, many people who file for bankruptcy had other options they could have chosen but they were not aware of those options.

Finding a good bankruptcy lawyer is important for your future financial security. While it seems like a daunting task, doing your research and asking around will save you a lot of time, money and aggravation later on. Make sure to start with a list and keep track of everyone you’ve contacted, their rates and availability. Don’t be afraid to get out your address book and start contacting anyone you know who might be able to help you find just the right attorney.