RODNEY E. NEHER, Attorney at Law

• Call the attorney and talk to him (or her).  A good attorney should speak with you in depth and in detail.  Attorneys tend to be busy people, so he may have to call you back.  If he won't talk with you, or if he doesn't return your call, call someone else.  Does he answer your questions?  Does he ask you questions?  Does he listen to you?  Does he take time to explain things?  If not, think twice about hiring him as your lawyer.

• When you speak with him, does the attorney treat you with dignity and respect?  Do you like him?  Is he friendly?  Does he try to be helpful?  If he is rude, or if his attitude turns you off, he is not the right attorney for you.  Keep looking.  Trust your feelings.

• Does the attorney give you honest advice?  Not everyone in financial trouble should file for bankruptcy.  Does he discuss alternatives?   Does he weigh the advantages and disadvantages of a course of action?  Does he discuss advantages and disadvantages with you?  If he seems to think bankruptcy is the answer to every problem, get your advice somewhere else.  Often, making an appointment with a nonprofit credit counseling agency is a good place to start.  (Don't waste your time with for-profit agencies--they often charge hefty fees and provide questionable advice.)

• Is the attorney knowledgeable about the law?  Don't be afraid to ask difficult questions.  If he can't or won't answer them, go elsewhere.

• Seek out your own attorney--don't hire an ambulance chaser.  Some lawyers monitor courtrooms and hospitals looking for potential clients--and then approach the unfortunate by letter or phone, seeking their business.  Lawyers who do that are commonly called ambulance chasers.  Have you been sued by a creditor?  Did you then get an unsolicited letter from an attorney offering to represent you?  If so, don't hire that attorney.  Such attorneys' primary interest, generally, is their fee, not your needs.  Ask someone else whether you should file for bankruptcy.  Often, making an appointment with a nonprofit credit counseling agency is a good place to begin. 

• How do the attorney's fees compare with those of other lawyers?  Don't be afraid to ask about cost if the attorney does not volunteer that information.  More expensive attorneys are not necessarily better ones.  On the other hand, a good attorney whom you like and trust may be worth a slightly higher fee.  Very low fees probably mean the attorney cuts corners.  Be careful.  The fee should not be your primary reason for choosing a bankruptcy attorney.

Required disclosure under BAPCPA 2005:  "We are a debt relief agency.  We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code."