Experienced Attorney - Bankruptcy and Wills

Looking for a good attorney to advise you whether bankruptcy is the best solution to your debt problems?  An experienced lawyer to prepare a will or other estate planning documents?

Choosing a trustworthy and capable attorney who can get you the best results in your case can be daunting, especially without the referral of a family member or recommendation by a friend.  I'm a Denver native with 18 years of experience and knowledge developed by gaining the trust of hundreds of satisfied clients, many of whom are kind enough to share their recommendations of me.  Please contact me for a FREE, NO OBLIGATION 30-minute consultation to review your legal matter.

 I personally handle every legal matter in my office - with no exceptions.  I choose not to employ other attorneys, paralegals, secretaries, assistants or other staff so I can ensure you receive the highest quality service, and best results.  Providing enormous value to you at a reasonable charge is the guiding principle in my office.  I use my legal expertise and honesty, along with my easy-going manner, to guide you through the legal system without the formality and fear often associated with the law.

As a lawyer, my seven rules of client service - whether I help you with a bankruptcy, prepare a will, or assist you with probate or any other legal matter - are:

• I will give you an honest explanation of all your legal options, even if my recommendation is not to spend money on my services.
• I will keep you advised of all developments in your case and promptly respond to any questions you have.
• I will provide you with a clear understanding of my fees and expenses.
• I will not "nickle and dime" you with petty expenses or charges for thirty-second phone calls.
• I will educate you about the laws concerning your individual situation, so you can make informed decisions.
• I will provide you with the biggest bang for your legal buck.
• I will care about your problem.

BANKRUPTCY HELP:  Unfortunately, many "high volume" law firms who blanket the internet and media with advertising employ a large staff of salespeople, paralegals and other administrative staff to "process" your case.  Also, bankruptcy "petition preparers" are merely an expensive typing service; it is illegal for them to give you any advice at all.

You need a lawyer to "advise and counsel" you, at every step in your case, so you can decide:

• Whether to file a bankruptcy, or not
  
• The best time to file your bankruptcy
• The best bankruptcy chapter (7 or 13) to use to obtain the best results for you
• The best strategy to protect as many assets as possible

That is a tall order for a firm which has a couple attorneys handling hundreds of cases a year.  Quantity is not quality.

There are two pieces to a successful bankruptcy case.   First, getting a discharge of your debts, is only half of the case.  You will still need to account for money or other assets for possible distribution to your creditors.  The second piece of a successful case is minimizing what you are required to pay to your creditors via the trustee assigned to your case.  This is the more difficult part of your case, and one that many of the cheaper attorneys will not take the time to carefully analyze for you.  It is not unusual for the attorney at a volume firm to meet you once to sign your "processed" paperwork and once to watch the trustee take your assets at your trustee meeting (when it is too late to change the result).  As the sole attorney guiding you through every aspect of your case from beginning to end, I will help you keep as much money as possible in your pocket so you can maximize your fresh start in life.

So please avoid the temptation of  "teaser rates", "limited time" offers, "no-money down" promises, or other sales gimmicks which may be deceptive and unethical and geared just to get you in the door - only to find out that the fee charged on your case is much higher that what was advertised.   The maxim "you get what you pay for" is especially true when trying to navigate the surprisingly complicated maze of the federal bankruptcy law.  Timing and careful anaylsis is critical in bankruptcy cases to protect your assets, and ensure that you get the best possible result in your case (see my bankruptcy help page).  Filling the blanks without advice or strategy is NOT what you hire a lawyer to do.  

ESTATE PLANNING:  Similarly, if you need a will, power of attorney or other estate planning document, please disregard the "probate scare" used by some lawyers to convince you (especially seniors) in a solicitation, workshop or seminar, that you need a ridiculously expensive "living trust".  Please look through my Wills and Trusts Answers page for more answers to common questions about estate planning.  A living trust is simply unnecessary in the vast majority of cases in Colorado.  A simple will, even one with a trust for children, is sufficient for over 90% of my clients, at less than a third of the cost of that charged by the living trust mills.  A beneficiary deed and careful attention to your beneficiary designations will avoid probate without the use of a living trust.  Even a probate case itself usually costs far less than the living trust routinely advocated by some law firms to avoid that very probate!

Please be wary of these marketing practices!  There is NO substitute for the care and attention of an experienced lawyer devoted to getting you the best results in your case. 

Please call or Email me to arrange a FREE, no obligation, 30-minute consultation!