Preparation is the key for success when filing bankruptcy in Florida. The best bankruptcy cases go unnoticed as debtors glide through the system without attracting attention to receive a full discharges in record time. Luck is not involved. Planning began months before filing.
The most successful filers know something that you don’t. Small lifestyle changes may alter means test income and expenses before filing. Well-planned strategic changes will have a dramatic effect on the results of the means test. With a few weeks or months to plan, creating $300 improvement on the bankruptcy means test calculation will save $18,000 in wasted Chapter 13 payments. Just as easily, many people avoid Chapter 13 altogether and may file Chapter 7 when understanding the test procedure. Timing is critical.
2010 Bankruptcy Strategies and the Means Test Explained
The state bar provides contact information for city and county bars associations that maintain local listings of lawyers who specialize in Florida bankruptcy law. The state bar also provides instructions for filing grievances against lawyers. In general, all lawyers are governed by professional rules of conduct. These rules specifically regulate disclosures which lawyers must provide clients regarding fees, fee agreements, and work performed. Also, a reasonable standard of care must be honored by all attorney while representing clients. Should work performed fall below a reasonable standard of care, attorneys may be subject to grievances, civil liability, or both.
Florida State Bar Association
650 Appalachia Pkwy
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3200
(850) 561-5600
Website: Florida State Bar
The most common grievance filed is based upon failure to return phone calls. State bar associations routinely sanction or reprimand attorneys who do return client phone calls. State Bar rules require all lawyers to adequately inform clients about case progress, new developments, and changed circumstances. A violation of this duty, if no actual harm is caused to the client, usually results in a private reprimand for a first offense. An offense based on negligent behavior which directly harms a client may be actionable in a private civil lawsuit for damages.
Back to Florida Bankruptcy Laws.
