FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I charge a flat fee for every bankruptcy case. It is different for each case depending on whether it is a single vs. joint filing, the amount of debt involved, the client's income, and several other factors. I promise to be fair, there are no surprise bills and I offer payment plans. Besides the attorney fee, the client is responsible to pay the court filing fee (presently $ 335 as of 2019), the two education requirements, and the expense for downloading bankruptcy specific credit reports.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I will pre-qualify you over the phone before setting an appointment to meet in your home or at my Providence office on Westminster Street (plenty of free parking). I provide you with a list of documents to bring (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, bills, credit reports, law suit documents, etc) and we determine if a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, payment plan, or debt-settlement negotiation will be the best path. Many of my clients own a house and a car and can easily protect them so long as they remain current on their monthly mortgage and car loan payments. Altogether, the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process takes about 90 days from the date of filing your case until the date the matter is closed and debts are discharged.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I received my Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law in Boston. Bankruptcy is a pretty technical and precise area of law that should be handled carefully by an attorney who is devoted to practicing bankruptcy law. I have practiced bankruptcy law for over 28 years, have filed more than 3,000 cases and every case I have filed has been successful with no surprises. I have an undergraduate degree in business and am the only bankruptcy lawyer in the state who has the credential of being a Certified Financial Planner professional. I take financial education, budget preparation and credit rebuilding to a very deep, but practical level. I will NOT simply "fill out the bankruptcy forms" without imparting many practical tips to restore overall financial health.