I Want to Thank You for Downloading This Short Report

How to Select a Bankruptcy Lawyer A Guide to Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys Dear Friend,

I want to thank you for downloading this short report.

Right now you may be feeling overwhelmed by financial pressure but I want you to know there is help for you.

During my life as a bankruptcy attorney, I’ve spoken to more than twenty thousand people and I’ve learned that no two situations are exactly alike.

You are unique and so is your situation.

I can’t say until we meet whether or not bankruptcy is for you. But I can tell you that I’ve helped more than twelve thousand people end the pressure and discouragement of overwhelming debt, and take control of their lives again.

My hope is that this short report will answer some questions and help you understand your next step.

Please take advantage of this report and know that I’m just a phone call – or email - away.

Sincerely, Robert R. Weed

P.S. I’ve also included some testimonials from my clients so you can read what others have to say about me and my team. You can read all their comments, good and bad, online by visiting the Customer Lobby.

Call our office @ 703.335-7793 or send an email to [email protected] How to Select a Bankruptcy Lawyer A Guide to Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys If you’re like most people considering bankruptcy you probably have several concerns and questions about whether this will help you. You are not alone; every year over 1,000,000 people file for bankruptcy and every one of them had the same concerns you do now. In today’s report I’ll try to help you through the first step—selecting a bankruptcy lawyer.

What is Bankruptcy?

The first question most people have is: what exactly is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is provided for by the US constitution. The bankruptcy law dates back to 1898 and was designed to help the honest debtor get a fresh start in life.

Bankruptcy allows you to begin again and start fresh.

The US Supreme Court describes bankruptcy as "A new opportunity in life and a clear field for future effort" and that’s exactly what bankruptcy is. It is both an opportunity and tool available to you when you find yourself in dire financial straits.

With bankruptcy – if it’s right for you - you can take control of your life, again.

Many people have the wrong idea about bankruptcy. They think it’s some form of punishment for not paying bills. That's completely wrong. The purpose of bankruptcy is to help “the honest but unfortunate debtor.” That is, to help people like you.

In 2005, a new bankruptcy law took effect. It made it much more complicated for people to file bankruptcy, but with careful planning, it can be done. More than a million Americans had their bankruptcies approved last year. If you can't afford to pay your debts, you can probably get yours approved, too.

When you file bankruptcy not only will gain fresh start financially, but like most people, you will feel emotionally free from the stress caused by the constant worry about money.

Call our office @ 703.335-7793 or send an email to [email protected] How to Select a Bankruptcy Lawyer A Guide to Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys Why do People File Bankruptcy?

Over the years most people filed bankruptcy because of medical costs or job problems. Often people file because of divorce and loss of half the family income. And some people honestly over-spent during the good days and didn’t save enough for the rainy days.

Sadly, now, more and more people are filing because they are caught in the middle of a housing crisis plus the worst recession in 50 years.

What Happens to Your Credit?

Many people think their bankruptcy will haunt them forever. While bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 10 years you can usually get your credit standing back and have good credit within 3 years (not 7 like many people believe).

Filing bankruptcy is better for your credit than late payments and is also better for your credit (this is really unfair) than paying through a debt management program.

How can that be? About 90% of your credit score is based on the last three years. So once you are three years past the bankruptcy, if you have three good credit years, then you have good credit. If you keep paying late, or not paying, the bad credit keeps chasing you and you never get three years past it.

Call our office @ 703.335-7793 or send an email to [email protected] How to Select a Bankruptcy Lawyer A Guide to Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Good Bankruptcy Attorney?

Bankruptcy is a life event. An investment in a good lawyer is an investment towards your future.

The 2005 bankruptcy law was designed by bank lobbyists to set you up for failure!

A good attorney knows this and will keep you from trip-ups and pot-holes purposefully placed in the 2005 law to take you off track.

What to Look for in a Bankruptcy Attorney

When you begin your search for your lawyer, remember that choosing the right lawyer can help you obtain the right result. Before you choose an attorney you should look for signs that can help you determine if he/she is right for you. Some things to consider are:

Experience – There are many studies in the medical field that show that people who have operations with more experienced doctors have better results, less complications, and get better faster. There aren't any studies that I know of, but you have to wonder if the same thing is true of lawyers. Our law firm has the experience of 12,000 bankruptcies.

Reputation - You want someone who has satisfied clients. If you are unsure, ask to see testimonials and recommendations. You can call the Virginia State Bar to make sure that the attorney has not had any major problems. You can also see if the lawyer is an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau. Some law firms, only a handful, invite all their clients to make anonymous evaluation, and post all the results. We do.

Call our office @ 703.335-7793 or send an email to [email protected] How to Select a Bankruptcy Lawyer A Guide to Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys No-Obligation and/or Free Consultation – If a lawyer will not consult with you without charging a fee, then move on. (We don’t charge, but you must come prepared!) Your lawyer will have to do some hard work to understand your case and answer your questions at the first meeting, but you deserve someone who will do that to win your business. Someone who takes your case without understanding the details, is not someone you want as a lawyer.

Focus – One of the most important things to take into consideration when choosing a bankruptcy lawyer is focus. You need to make sure you choose an attorney who concentrates on bankruptcy law. I tell people, “some lawyers think they are smart enough to do eight things; I'm smart enough to do one thing right.” And I'm smart enough to stick to one I do right.

Some states have certified specialists in things like bankruptcy law; Virginia doesn't. So you can look for a lawyer who is a long time member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) and also the American Bankruptcy Institute. (I have been a member of NACBA since 1996. They give me a Distinguished Service Award in May 2003, and named me Member of the Month, April 2006.)

Comfort – You need to feel comfortable with whomever you choose to represent you. If you do not feel comfortable, then you should keep looking. Look for someone who will answer your questions, who knows what he is talking about, and who cares about you. This will reduce the stress of being in an unfamiliar process.

Clear Terms – Being able to understand your contract is very important. Many lawyers’ retainer agreements state very little about what they will actually do for you. Make sure the attorney you choose has a clearly defined agreement which outlines the price you will pay and the services you are going to receive.

Help with your credit report – Is your lawyer's job done when your bankruptcy is discharged? I don't think so. As you rebuild your credit, when a future lender wants to know what your bankruptcy took care of, they won't look at your court records. They will look first at your credit report.

Sadly, only about half the people who come through bankruptcy have their credit report right. The creditors are required to properly update all your debts to show they were

Call our office @ 703.335-7793 or send an email to [email protected] How to Select a Bankruptcy Lawyer A Guide to Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys discharged in bankruptcy. The credit bureaus are required to come behind them and check. Then, we come behind and check again. Why? Because we've seen thousands of after bankruptcy credit reports that were not right. We know yours may be one of them if we don't follow up.

Call our office @ 703.335-7793 or send an email to [email protected] How to Select a Bankruptcy Lawyer A Guide to Bankruptcy and Bankruptcy Attorneys

What’s Your Next Step ?

If you think bankruptcy might be right for you we’d love to have the opportunity to speak with you. We can help you understand more about the process. We can help you decide if we’re the right team for you.

We know it’s not easy to discuss financial difficulties with a stranger. We understand. The only thing we do in our office is bankruptcy and we know you’ll like our friendly service with a smile.

I hope you’ll take me up on my offer to speak to me personally. Be sure to visit our main website and blog to learn more about me, the bankruptcy process and filing bankruptcy in Northern Virginia.

Sincerely, Robert R. Weed [email protected] 703.335.7793

P.S. The right bankruptcy lawyer can help you take control of your life again. Look for a lawyer with experience, focus and reputation. You'll want someone who makes you feel comfortable. You want someone who offers a free consultation at the beginning and who will stick with you after the bankruptcy until the credit report is right.

If you think I can be the right lawyer for you, please call 703-335-7793. You'll like our friendly service with a smile.

Call our office @ 703.335-7793 or send an email to [email protected]