It’s pretty common for bankruptcy attorneys to hear the following from our potential clients:

I need to file bankruptcy. I can’t afford to pay my creditors. How can I afford to pay for a bankruptcy attorney?

Everyone’s situation is different, but here are some ways that people are able to afford to hire a bankruptcy attorney:

1) Tax refunds. From February until April it is pretty common for clients to pay to retain a bankruptcy attorney by using their tax refund.

2) Help from relatives or friends. Sometimes a client’s friend or family member will help them out by paying their fees. It is important to clarify whether they think the money being paid is a gift or a loan. If it’s a loan, you need to be very careful about when you pay it back, because you do not want the bankruptcy trustee suing your friend or relative to recover a preference.

3) Payment plans. Some attorneys offer a payment plan. The client pays the fees over a few months, and then they are able to file their case.

Bankruptcy attorneys are not permitted to accept credit card payments from someone who is filing bankruptcy. In other words, if you are going to be filing bankruptcy, you cannot use your credit card to pay your bankruptcy attorney.

Elizabeth Rosar Chermack is a Minnesota Bankruptcy Attorney, and can represent you in your bankruptcy matter.  Call (952) 491-0390 or send an email to liz@chermacklaw.com to schedule a consultation with Liz.

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Elizabeth Rosar Chermack, Attorney at Law, is a debt relief agency helping people to file for bankruptcy relief under the bankruptcy code.