Who is the Best Bankruptcy Attorney in Tampa?

admin — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:19:45 +0000

I’ll admit I wouldn’t exactly be impartial if asked who I thought was the best bankruptcy attorney in Tampa. But regardless, I do know what to look for when trying to find a great Tampa bankruptcy attorney—after all I did file bankruptcy myself. What are those qualities? Well if I were looking for the best bankruptcy attorney in Tampa, these are some of the things I’d look for.

1. Show me the info! After all, this is the information age. Because of this however, there will be a lot of information out there for you to sift through, and not all of it is worthwhile. This is why contacting a Tampa bankruptcy attorney is so helpful. They’ll be able to provide you with quality information—and for free! If you find a Tampa bankruptcy attorney that that doesn’t offer any sort of information for free, I’d keep looking.

2. Are they experienced? Plenty of Tampa area law firms will be willing to take your bankruptcy case, but that doesn’t mean they’ve handled any before. Always be sure and find out how many bankruptcy cases the attorney and firm you’re speaking with have handled before, and how many were a success. Believe it or not, an attorney who has seen a lot of cases through to success is probably the person you want to choose. Crazy, right?

3. Is their office some place you’re comfortable? Too many firms treat their clients like they are just numbers. Customer service is king, why hire a firm where you can never get a hold of anyone?

Maybe you’ve found an awesome Tampa law firm, but they don’t have an attorney who is all that outstanding at bankruptcy cases. A law firm that specializes in just a few things will be better suited to handle your Florida bankruptcy.

Okay, maybe I’ve oversimplified the process a bit, but are you getting the general idea? Are you more confident that you can find a great Tampa bankruptcy attorney? Remember, if you look for the important qualities, like the ones listed above, you’ll find an excellent Tampa bankruptcy attorney.

**The information in this post is merely an opinion based on 16 years of Bankruptcy law practice in Missouri and Illinois and owning offices which represent people in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, and Florida. The information in this post is not intended as legal advice and should be considered general information. The Florida bankruptcy laws may be slightly different, which is why it is important to choose a great Florida bankruptcy attorney who is experienced and qualified. Castle Law Office of St. Louis, P.C. and James R. Brown are not affiliated in any way with Castle Law of Florida. Nancy Cavey, managing attorney of her rendition of “Castle Law” in the state of Florida, opened her bankruptcy practice in June of 2010. **

What?! There Can’t Be Any Entrepreneurs Who Have Filed Bankruptcy!

admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:33:32 +0000

To your possible surprise, there are quite a few famous business men and women who have filed bankruptcy—and gone on to be quite successful! In fact, some of these famous people who’ve filed bankruptcy have discovered that getting rid of their debt made it possible for them to be successful!

Who am I talking about? Henry Ford filed bankruptcy after the failure of his first automobile company. After getting rid of his debt, he opened up the Ford Motor Company or, as we know it today, the Cadillac Automobile Company. And Henry Ford isn’t the only one! Walt Disney filed bankruptcy before he hit it big with Mickey Mouse and Donald Trump filed bankruptcy after a casino venture failed before his resurgence in 1997.

So, what’s my point? Bankruptcy probably won’t stop you from becoming a success—it could just be the thing that makes you succeed! However, if you want to have a successful Florida bankruptcy and post-bankruptcy life, it is vital that you chose a great Tampa bankruptcy lawyer. With a great Tampa bankruptcy lawyer, you can be sure that your fresh start is in sight—and your own achievements are right around the corner.

Which Tampa Law Firm Is Right for My Bankruptcy Case?

admin — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 16:29:56 +0000

Big or small? 6 lawyers or 600 lawyers? When it comes to picking a Tampa law firm, there’s a lot of questions to answer. If you simply looked up “Tampa Florida Law Firm,” a whole lot of names come up. How are you supposed to pick between them?

There are a few key qualities that you’ll want to look for on your quest for the best St. Petersburg bankruptcy attorney. Here’s a short list to help you on your search:

Make sure they specialize in Florida bankruptcy, not just the law. Sure, there are a lot of Tampa law firms that’ll offer to help you with your Florida bankruptcy case. Does that mean they’ve ever done a Florida bankruptcy case before? Maybe not. If they aren’t highly experienced in Florida bankruptcy cases, how will they know the mistakes they have to avoid? Are you really willing to put your financial future at that kind of risk?
Get the “small firm” experience. Whether a Tampa law firm has 2 or 200 lawyers, you should make sure that you won’t be just another number. Make sure there will be somebody you can talk to about your Florida bankruptcy case whenever you need it—not just when they call your number.

At the end of the day, you don’t want just any Tampa bankruptcy lawyer to handle your case—you want the best. Don’t settle for less.

How Do I Find a Tampa Reorganization Attorney?

admin — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:16:04 +0000

Florida bankruptcy is really a big book, just like any other book you’d read, with several chapters. There are really two chapters that matter when it comes to individuals: Florida Chapter 7 and Florida Chapter 13. And each chapter offers something a little different. Florida Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers you a chance to reorganize your debt.

So, if you want to reorganize your debt, you’ll probably want to find a Tampa Florida bankruptcy attorney to help you do it—but not just any Tampa bankruptcy attorney. When it comes to your financial future, you want to find the best Florida bankruptcy lawyer you can.

“But James! Won’t the best Tampa bankruptcy attorney be the most expensive?”

Not necessarily—and, really, that shouldn’t be an issue anyway. Why? A Florida bankruptcy lawyer’s fees are regulated by the Bankruptcy Court and, since most Florida bankruptcy cases take about the same amount of work, most Florida bankruptcy attorneys charge pretty similar fees.

So, price shopping for a St. Petersburg bankruptcy attorney won’t necessarily do you any good. What you SHOULD be looking for is the best Tampa bankruptcy lawyer you can find. And how do you know who is the best? Make sure that he or she has a long history of successfully handling Florida bankruptcy cases, look for positive client testimonials and make sure that the experience that your Florida attorney has is specifically in Florida bankruptcy. Bottom line: Only the best for your financial future!

Is It Better to File with a Tampa Bankruptcy Attorney or on My Own?

admin — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:33:04 +0000

Choosing to file with a Tampa bankruptcy attorney or on your own is one of the most important, if not the most important, decisions you will make throughout your entire case. First of all, can you even file Florida bankruptcy on your own? Sure! Would I recommend it? Absolutely not. Why?

Filing without a St. Petersburg bankruptcy attorney, though it may seem cheaper, can end up costing you just as much or more than hiring a lawyer. How? One tiny mistake could get your case dismissed, leaving you with a Florida bankruptcy on your credit report but no fresh start.

“Ok James, I see now that hiring a Tampa bankruptcy attorney is the best way to go. How should I find a good one?”

Look for a Tampa bankruptcy attorney with plenty of experience handling Florida bankruptcy cases and a high rate of success in doing so. Ask any Tampa bankruptcy attorney how many cases they’ve handled, how many of those cases were dismissed and if they have any client testimonials before you hire him or her. Trust me—hiring a bad Tampa bankruptcy attorney could be as big of a mistake as filing on your own!

How Badly Do You Need a Tampa Bankruptcy Attorney?

admin — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:02:22 +0000

Being in debt isn’t just about being out of money, as a Consumer Credit Counseling Service study has proven. The study asked 400 people about how debt was affecting their lives and here’s what they had to say:

83% said their relationship with their partner had suffered from money problems
22% said debt had affected their relationships with their children
33% said that their partner was unaware of all financial problems
65% said their financial problems were affecting job performance

So, in short, being in debt can cause problems within your family, including honesty and trust issues, and cause you to be so distracted that you can no longer perform your job to the best of your abilities.

Never underestimate the power of debt. If you don’t take control of it, it can quickly take control of you. What can you do? Look for free information from great Florida bankruptcy attorneys! Does that mean you should hire any Tampa bankruptcy attorney that offers you free information? No! Make sure to look for client testimonials, many years of experience in Florida bankruptcy, and a high success rate for Florida bankruptcy cases.

How Does a Tampa Bankruptcy Lawyer Decide His or Her Fees?

admin — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:05:17 +0000

A Tampa bankruptcy attorney’s fees are regulated by the Bankruptcy Court, http://www.flmb.uscourts.gov/ meaning they can only charge up to a certain amount to help you file your case. And since most Florida bankruptcy cases take about the same amount of work, most Tampa bankruptcy attorneys probably charge around the same amount.

“But James! I’ve heard some Tampa bankruptcy attorneys claiming to charge way less than everyone else. How can that be true?”

Well, some Tampa bankruptcy attorneys will charge a different price—but it probably isn’t for the reasons you’d think. Here are three reasons that a cheap Tampa bankruptcy attorney could be charging such a low price:

That Tampa bankruptcy attorney doesn’t know what to charge. If you choose a Florida bankruptcy lawyer who hasn’t filed very many cases, he or she probably doesn’t understand how much work can go in to getting a Tampa debtor protection from foreclosure or credit card debt help. It is likely that you will run into some additional costs later or end up getting your case dismissed because your Tampa bankruptcy attorney doesn’t have enough experience.
They are planning to charge you later. Sure, your Tampa bankruptcy attorney may charge you a low price at first to get you in the door, but he or she could also be planning to charge you more later on. Be careful!
They aren’t planning on doing much work. It could be that your Tampa bankruptcy attorney has enough experience but he or she are only charging you for the amount of work he or she plans on doing.

The bottom line is this: be wary of a cheap Tampa bankruptcy attorney. http://castlelawflorida.com/archives/57 He or she may not be all he or she seems.

Where Do I Start if I Want to File Bankruptcy in Florida?

admin — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 19:50:40 +0000

Often, the hardest decision you make in the entire Florida bankruptcy process is the decision to file. Once you’ve decided that you really want protection from foreclosure, credit card debt help and relief from your creditors, the rest can be pretty easy!—that is, if you’ve hired a great Tampa bankruptcy attorney.

The importance of hiring a great Tampa bankruptcy attorney is why I recommend this as your first step: information gathering. Look for a Tampa bankruptcy attorney who has a lot of free information to offer like free books, articles, blogs, and more! But don’t stop there…also do your research on the Tampa bankruptcy attorney himself or herself. How many cases has he or she successfully filed? How many satisfied clients does he or she have? Are there any testimonials to prove it?

Deciding which Tampa bankruptcy attorney to hire could be the most important decision you make. Many Florida bankruptcy lawyers offer free consultations, but make sure they’ve got the qualifications and experience to get you to your fresh start!

**The information in this blog is merely an opinion based on 16 years of Bankruptcy law practice in Missouri and Illinois and owning offices which represent people in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, and Florida. The information in this post is not intended as legal advice and should be considered general information. The Florida bankruptcy laws may be slightly different, which is why it is important to choose a great Florida bankruptcy attorney who is experienced and qualified. Castle Law Office of St. Louis, P.C. and James R. Brown are not affiliated in any way with Castle Law of Florida. Nancy Cavey, managing attorney of her rendition of “Castle Law” in the state of Florida, opened her bankruptcy practice in June of 2010. **

How Much Will It Cost to File Bankruptcy by Myself in Florida?

admin — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:23:28 +0000

Oftentimes, we think our only choice is to do stuff the hard way. After all, isn’t that how life seems to be going these days? So, if you’re trying to get out of debt the hard way, you’re probably thinking of filing Tampa bankruptcy by yourself. How much will it cost you to do that?

The costs vary based on your specific situation, but typically you’ll have to pay the court fees out of pocket. You may be thinking, “That’s it? That’s nothing!” And sure, it seems like nothing if you’ve never filed a Florida bankruptcy case before, but, in reality, there are all kinds of other costs involved. What if you make any easy mistake and get your case dismissed? You’ll have to pay the fees again to reopen your case. And if you don’t reopen your case, you’ve essentially paid filing fees to get a bankruptcy put on your credit report—and no actual relief.

What if you make another mistake with your property and end up losing your home or car? And what about the other costs like time, energy, and frustration? How much of your time and energy can you really afford to devote to your Florida bankruptcy? There are a lot of opportunities for filing a Florida bankruptcy on your own to cost you a lot more than a filing fee. Are you willing to risk it?

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. If you want the help of a Tampa bankruptcy attorney, you should do everything in your power to get it. Thousands of people in your same situation have filed with a great bankruptcy attorney to make sure their financial future is safe. What’s YOUR next move?

Do Famous People File Bankruptcy Too?

admin — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:37:37 +0000

The list of famous people who’ve filed bankruptcy is actually quite long and includes such names as Donald Trump, Abe Lincoln, Henry Ford, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Basinger, and Walt Disney. Pretty much everyone on this list has seen some sort of massive success.

The interesting thing is that all these people have something in common. And, contrary to some myths that are out there about Florida bankruptcy, it’s not that they are all dead beats or bad people. All of the famous people who’ve filed bankruptcy have this in common: They hit hard times—and did something about it.

Many people who are in debt think they can ignore their debt or stick their heads in the sand and the debt will just go away. Unfortunately, that won’t ever work. This list of inventors, singers, actors, and entrepreneurs know that debt doesn’t define us—but what we do to get out of debt does.

So, if we can learn something else from the famous people who’ve filed bankruptcy, it’s this: if you’re thinking about hiring a Tampa bankruptcy attorney, you’re probably making one of the most responsible moves you can make.