How to Pay for a Bankruptcy Attorney
If you are already behind on your bills, budgeting for a bankruptcy attorney can be challenging. While it may be tempting to apply for a personal loan or to borrow money to cover your legal fees, doing so can perpetuate your debt and set you backwards in your attempt to reconcile your credit. Most bankruptcy attorneys understand that persons with significant debt cannot afford large legal bills and will be willing to help you set up a payment plan that will not strain your budget.
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Instructions
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Set up a monthly payment plan with your attorney. Many bankruptcy lawyers will allow you to make regular monthly payments to cover your legal fees. You need to work out your fee agreement prior to retaining an attorney's services, and ensure that the agreement is outlined accurately in the contract you sign with your attorney.
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Include your legal fees in your Chapter 13 repayment plan if you are filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In some circumstances, you may be able to include your bankruptcy's attorney fees in your approved debt repayment program. You will still need to pay court costs and your lawyer's out-of-pocket expenses upfront, however.
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Find a pro bono bankruptcy program. Many nonprofit legal groups offer pro bono bankruptcy programs, which provide free or reduced-price access to licensed attorneys. These programs may assess your fees based on your income and monthly expenses.
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Liquidate your assets. If you are unable to work out a payment program with your lawyer, sell any expendable property to pay for your legal fees. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding, you may be asked to liquidate your property regardless of your legal expenses, so doing so may be inevitable.
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