subject: Advice From Your Lakeland Bankruptcy Attorney [print this page] Advice From Your Lakeland Bankruptcy Attorney
Lakeland has had its share of trouble with the economy and the devastating effect it has had on people. Ask any a Lakeland bankruptcy attorney. Any Lakeland bankruptcy attorney will tell you that the number of people seeking help with their finances had increased tremendously year over year, despite the claims that the recession is easing or even is over. The average Lakeland bankruptcy attorney is seeing double digit increases in requests for help. Many of those people requesting help are confused and frightened and are in shock. Until recently, they had been solid, bill paying citizens. But then disaster struck in some form, either a job loss or a medical or repair bill that came in unexpectedly. Some were even done in (financially speaking) by a sudden increase in their mortgage or credit card charges. Prior, they met the mortgage and credit card payments and maybe even a private tuition payment or two. Some even had money left over. That their financial situation slid downhill so quickly just shows how close to the edge many Americans are living. There is little savings and few resources when trouble happens. They arrive at their attorney's office with no plan and no idea of what might be possible. While this is the way most arrive, it is not the preferred way to arrive. The best way to arrive at your new attorney's office is with a plan as to where you might want to be in two, three or five years. You must do this, because only you can be your own best advocate. Your attorney will work for you in the best way possible, but only you know what you really want. Finding a good attorney may be as simple as asking your relatives and friends. You might be surprised by the number of people close to you who have had to seek help with their finances. It is not something a person will necessarily brag about, but it does happen, and more often than you might think. If your relatives or friends have been lucky or smart or both during this hard recession, then take your search to the Internet. Most attorneys have detailed information on their services and speciality areas. Your attorney may advise you to file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy. Chapter 7 will have you selling your assets and repaying creditors. Chapter 13 will have you keeping some assets and setting up a schedule for repayment. Or your advice might be more conservative: get on a budget, sell some toys and even get a second job.
