When I decided I needed to file bankruptcy, needless to say it was a scary, uncertain time in my life. Making that call and going in for an appointment seemed like a huge step. Before going in, I tried to be as prepared as possible. I gathered tax returns, pay stubs, everything they said they would need. When I arrived, I sat in the waiting area listened to the women behind the counter talking on the phone to other clients. This did nothing for calming my anxieties. Their patronizing tones, heavy sighs, rude comments, and overall unprofessional demeanor nearly sent me out the door. This, paired with their pink hair and jeans and t-shirt dress code didn't give me a lot of confidence.
The forms they ask you to fill out are embarrassingly outdated. It's essentially geared toward traditional husband and wife couples, requiring you to fill in names and information for the "Husband" and the "Wife".
When I met with the attorney, I believe he could see that I wasn't their ordinary client. I was prepared and knowledgeable of the process, having done a lot of research. Still, I had a lot of questions, and he did answer them satisfactorily.
Over the years, I had things that came up (job changes, sold my house, drastic reduction in salary, etc) all which required different services not included in the original filing. Most of the time these things went fairly smoothly. However, I did have to wind up calling the Chapter 13 Trustee's office a few times for clarification because I didn't understand some of the firm's explanations, and they aren't keen on spending a lot of extra time with clients after the fact. Still, I felt like the services I received were for the most part adequate.
My advice for anyone thinking of filing for bankruptcy is to do your research. Know the process, know what you're signing up for, well before going to see a lawyer. It helps because they're not always patient enough to go through everything with you at a pace that you'd be comfortable with. As far as which law firm to go to, honestly it doesn't make much of a difference. I saw one other, and spoke to a few more on the phone before ultimately choosing Skrupa. They were all pretty much the same. Same office help with the same harsh tone, same burned coffee smell in the waiting area, and pretty much the same cost due to the regulations they're held to bythe Bankruptcy Court. All in all, it's a safe bet you'll get what you need out of the staff at Skrupa. Just don't expect a lot more. read more
