Whether you are a debtor, creditor, or a trustee in a bankruptcy proceeding, it is important to have a competent and trustworthy attorney represent you before the bankruptcy court. However, all too often, finding a great bankruptcy attorney requires more than knowing an honest lawyer. There are some qualities that are required of an attorney, and a whole list of others that will greatly benefit your cause.
Requirements of Local Rules
The local rules of each and every bankruptcy court in the United States requires certain qualifications for attorneys to appear before the court. The exact requirements are defined in the local rules and may differ from court to court. Admission to practice in bankruptcy court, in the Eastern District of Missouri does not require passing a specific or separate bar exam. Instead, a bankruptcy attorney must be admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. This is a strong argument for using a local attorney when seeking a bankruptcy attorney in St. Charles, MO.
In certain instances, non-local counsel is allowed to file and appear in a bankruptcy case. In these instances, special paperwork needs to be filed, and it is recommended by the local rules of the bankruptcy court that these attorneys affiliate with local counsel. Hence furthering the argument that the best bankruptcy attorney will be someone familiar with the local court and local rules applicable to St. Charles. Click here if you are seeking a highly competent attorney, specialized in bankruptcy for St. Charles.
Prior Experience is Essential
A quality that is not required for an attorney to practice on your behalf, but should be essential when hiring a lawyer, is that the attorney specializes in bankruptcy. It is all the better if the lawyer’s prior experience is in the specific type of bankruptcy, namely chapters 7, 11 and 13. Often times it is difficult to discern if bankruptcy is even the right path for an individual or business, and only a bankruptcy attorney with bankruptcy knowledge and experience will know how to properly advise you from the start to the end of the process.
