Independence from Debt

 Posted on July 04, 2016 in Bankruptcy

This 4^th of July make your move towards financial freedom. Get informed. You’ll feel tons better once you know your options.

We take this break from our ongoing series of blog posts on secured debts this 4th of July to talk about freedom from debt.

Your Life Today

If you’re reading this most likely you’ve got some rather serious financial problems. Most likely your debts are overwhelming you, worrying you all the time.

You’ve probably been trying to improve your situation for a long time, likely for years. It’s really affected your life. It hasn’t helped your personal relationships. The anxiety is impacting your health. It’s hard to feel good about yourself, to be happy or relaxed.

It’s difficult to take care of your basic daily needs, and of those who depend on you. It’s frustrating to think about the long-term responsibilities that you aren’t getting ahead on, like saving for retirement.

What You Need

Financial peace. Financial freedom.

You’d like to be able to afford what’s important to you. You’d like to not be worrying all the time. You’d like to have reasons to be hopeful; you’d like to have a future worth looking forward to.

Take the First Step

You’ve heard the expression that the first step is always the hardest. There’s something about human nature, especially when we’re feeling down, that makes us assume that resolving a problem will be harder than it actually ends up being. We are often pleasantly surprised that once we take the first step the process is not as hard as we had feared. Then afterwards we wish we would have had the nerve to take that first step much earlier and avoid unnecessary grief in the meantime.

So take that first simple but crucial step: find out your legal options about your debts.

From Fear to Practical Options

You find out your options by seeing a lawyer who focuses on helping people like you solve their consumer and/or business debt problems.

This may be easier than you think because asking for this kind of help is usually free, at least to get started. Most lawyers who help people deal with their debts don’t charge for their initial meeting with you.

At this meeting you will have the opportunity to tell the lawyer about your situation, your concerns, and your goals. The lawyer will usually outline your most likely legal options, along with their major advantages and disadvantages.

But Do You Really Get Something for Nothing at that Initial Consultation?

Most lawyers who help consumers and small businesses with debt problems don’t charge for their initial meeting for various reasons.

And sure, it’s partly a marketing tactic. Lawyers hope that once you take the trouble to meet with them you will like them and will more likely hire them if they decide to retain a lawyer.

There’s also the reality that when you are in financial trouble you likely can’t spare the money on shopping for a lawyer. So fortunately most lawyers don’t charge for that chance for you to check them out and get advice from them.

It’s worth mentioning that most of these lawyers actually do care about you and genuinely want to help you. That’s because who get into the field of helping people deal with their debts they get satisfaction from improving their clients’ lives.

So take advantage of their free offer.

Be Picky and Find a Good Match

Just because you have an initial consultation with a lawyer, you have absolutely no obligation to continue working with that lawyer. You are seeking information and advice, and maybe looking for an attorney to help you. After the initial meeting ask yourself the following questions.

Did the lawyer listen carefully to you to get enough information about you and your finances? Did he or she present your options clearly, and answer your questions about them in an understandable way? Do any of the options presented meet your goals?

Was the lawyer considerate, treating you like a human being? Were your concerns heard and addressed directly? Was the lawyer knowledgeable but not overbearingly so? Were you comfortable with him or her? Did you feel he or she was worthy of your trust? Were you and the lawyer a good fit?

But Won’t Lawyers Always Recommend Filing a Bankruptcy Case?

No. That would be contrary to their ethical and legal obligation to you.

Lawyers are strictly required to represent YOU, not to pressure you into any preconceived direction. They must advise you of your options, and the advantages and disadvantages to you, without any regard for their financial self-interest. They can be sued for malpractice for giving bad advice, or could lose their law license. That applies even to free initial consultation meetings.

Furthermore, a lawyer’s job is to lay out the options so that YOU can make an informed decision. The attorney doesn’t tell you what to do; that’s your choice. Yes, his or her job is to advise you, and usually to make recommendations, strongly or otherwise. But not to make decisions for you or to make you do anything. If the lawyer you meet seems to be putting any uncomfortable pressure on you, find another one who respects your appropriate role as the decision-maker.

Take that First Step

Call to set up a consultation meeting with a lawyer who focuses on debt matters. Meet with him or her. You will almost certainly come away from that initial meeting much, much better informed about your options. You will very likely feel much better about being able to find the freedom from debts that you need.