Choosing a bankruptcy attorney in Broward County is not only a matter of comparing fees or searching for the closest office. The attorney you select should understand Florida bankruptcy law, local court procedures, your financial circumstances, and the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.
If you live near Tamarac, Sunrise, Coral Springs, Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, or another Broward County community, a careful consultation can help you compare your options before making major financial decisions. You do not have to sort through every question alone, but your rights and options depend on your specific facts.
Start with focused bankruptcy experience
Bankruptcy is a focused area of law. Look for an attorney who regularly handles consumer bankruptcy cases rather than someone who only occasionally accepts them.
Ask whether the attorney works with both:
Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 serve different purposes. Chapter 7 may help eligible individuals address qualifying unsecured debts. Chapter 13 uses a court-supervised repayment plan and may be considered when keeping property, addressing mortgage or vehicle arrears, or managing certain debts over time is important.
Neither chapter is automatically better. The appropriate path depends on your income, assets, debt types, expenses, prior bankruptcy filings, and long-term goals.
Ask directly: “How often do you handle cases like mine, and what facts would determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is considered?”
A lawyer should be able to explain the general framework without promising a particular result. If the explanation is vague or focuses only on one chapter before reviewing your financial information, ask for more detail.
Confirm that you can speak with the attorney
Direct communication can matter throughout a bankruptcy case. You may need to discuss a creditor notice, a change in income, a missed payment, a property issue, or a question from the trustee.
Some offices route most communication through intake staff or paralegals. Support staff can have important administrative roles, but you should understand when and how the attorney will personally review your case.
Consider asking:
- Will I speak directly with the attorney during the initial consultation?
- Who will prepare and review my petition and schedules?
- Who will answer legal questions after I become a client?
- Will the attorney prepare me for the Meeting of Creditors?
- Who will attend required hearings or communicate with the trustee?
- How quickly should I expect a response to an urgent question?
The answers can help you understand the office’s process. Direct attorney attention does not eliminate the need for your participation. You will still need to provide complete information, review documents, meet deadlines, and promptly report changes.
The Law Offices of Conwade D. Lewis, P.A. describes its approach as direct, personal attorney attention rather than routing clients through only paralegals or intake staff. Attorney Conwade D. Lewis has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1992. These are factual background points to consider alongside the attorney’s answers about your particular case.
Ask how Florida exemptions will be reviewed
Florida exemptions can affect whether certain property is protected in bankruptcy. The analysis may involve your home, vehicle, household goods, bank accounts, retirement funds, insurance interests, and other assets.
The effect of an exemption is not always obvious from the property’s current market value. Equity, ownership, liens, residency, timing, the type of property, and other facts may matter.
Do not assume that an asset is protected: or exposed: without a case-specific review. Ask the attorney to explain:
- Which property appears fully exempt based on the information provided
- Which property may have limited protection
- Whether a home’s equity creates a Chapter 7 concern
- How vehicle equity and loan payments may be treated
- Whether recent moves or residency history affect the analysis
- How Chapter 13 could differ if nonexempt property is an issue
Florida exemption law is technical and can change. General information from a website cannot determine how the law applies to your property. Bring accurate values and ownership information to the consultation.
Look for experience with the local bankruptcy court
Broward County bankruptcy cases are handled through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. The court maintains a Fort Lauderdale location, along with local rules, forms, filing requirements, calendars, and other procedures.
Local experience does not mean that every case follows the same pattern. It does mean the attorney should be familiar with the court where your case may be filed and with the practical requirements that affect your case.
Ask:
- Do you regularly file cases in the Fort Lauderdale Division?
- How do you prepare clients for the Meeting of Creditors?
- What local filing requirements should I know about?
- How do you handle requests for additional documents?
- What deadlines could affect my home, wages, vehicle, or lawsuit?
The court’s website provides bankruptcy forms and local forms, local rules, and information about events and deadlines. These resources are useful for general education, but reviewing court information does not replace legal advice about your circumstances.
Request a complete explanation of fees
Attorney fees are only one part of the cost of a bankruptcy case. You may also need to consider the court filing fee, required credit counseling, debtor education, document preparation, and other case-related expenses.
A fee quote should be clear enough for you to understand what is included and what may cost extra.
Ask for written answers to these questions:
- What is the total attorney fee? Confirm whether the quote applies to Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or both.
- What services are included? Ask about petition preparation, filing, trustee communications, hearings, and routine post-filing issues.
- What is excluded? Some contested matters, appeals, adversary proceedings, or unusual motions may involve additional fees.
- What must be paid before filing? Ask about the filing fee and other required costs.
- Are payment arrangements available? If so, ask when each payment is due and whether filing occurs before the full attorney fee is paid.
- Will I receive a written fee agreement? Do not rely only on a verbal estimate.
The official federal court system provides information about bankruptcy court fees. Current fees and procedures should be confirmed before filing.
Use the consultation to test realistic expectations
A responsible bankruptcy attorney should explain both potential benefits and limitations. Bankruptcy may address some collection activity and qualifying debts, but it does not automatically eliminate every obligation or resolve every financial problem.
Ask the attorney to discuss:
- Which debts may qualify for discharge
- Which debts may survive or receive special treatment
- Whether a foreclosure, garnishment, lawsuit, or repossession requires immediate review
- Whether a co-signer or jointly owned property may be affected
- Whether prior bankruptcy filings limit available options
- What ongoing payments or documents will be required
- What could cause delay, dismissal, objection, or another complication
Be cautious about guarantees. Bankruptcy outcomes depend on eligibility, complete disclosure, current law, trustee review, creditor actions, and other case-specific factors. A lawyer can explain possible paths. No attorney can responsibly promise that every debt will disappear, that every asset will be protected, or that a case will proceed without complications.
Prepare before comparing attorneys
You will receive more useful answers if you bring a basic financial picture to each consultation. Consider gathering:
- Recent pay stubs and other income records
- Recent tax returns
- Bank and investment account statements
- Mortgage and vehicle loan information
- A list of credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, taxes, and other debts
- Monthly household expenses
- Information about homes, vehicles, businesses, and valuable personal property
- Lawsuits, garnishment notices, foreclosure documents, or collection letters
- Details about recent transfers, large purchases, payments to relatives, or asset sales
Do not transfer property, repay relatives, run up credit balances, or stop making important payments simply because you are considering bankruptcy. The right step depends on the type of payment, the asset involved, your deadlines, and the possible case.
The office may also ask you to complete an intake questionnaire. Provide complete and accurate information. Omitting a debt or transaction can create avoidable problems later.
Compare the answers, not just the advertisements
When comparing a Tamarac bankruptcy attorney or another Broward County bankruptcy lawyer, write down the answers you receive. Consider whether each attorney:
- Focuses regularly on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases
- Explains Florida exemptions in relation to your actual property
- Has experience with the Southern District of Florida bankruptcy court
- Gives a complete and understandable fee explanation
- Provides direct access to the attorney
- Identifies limitations and possible complications
- Explains what information and deadlines matter
- Offers a consultation without promising a result
A free initial consultation can be a useful opportunity to organize your questions. The Law Offices of Conwade D. Lewis, P.A. offers a free bankruptcy consultation and invites prospective clients to bring their notices, questions, and basic financial information.
The consultation does not itself create representation, stop a deadline, or guarantee a legal result. A website request also does not protect you from foreclosure, garnishment, collection activity, or another proceeding. If you have a scheduled sale, court date, garnishment, or other time-sensitive event, mention it clearly during the conversation.
Your next step is to understand the facts, compare the possible paths, and confirm what should be reviewed before making a filing decision.
Common questions
Is the closest bankruptcy attorney automatically the best choice?
No. Location may be convenient, but regular bankruptcy experience, direct communication, Florida exemption knowledge, local court familiarity, and fee clarity may be more important. The right choice depends on your needs and the attorney’s ability to review your case carefully.
Should I choose Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 based on general information?
Not necessarily. Chapter 7 eligibility, Chapter 13 feasibility, property equity, debt type, prior filings, and your goals all require review. Do not choose a chapter based only on a general online description.
Can a bankruptcy attorney guarantee that I will keep my home or car?
No. Whether property can be retained depends on equity, exemptions, loan status, payment obligations, income, and other facts. Ask for a separate explanation of each important asset.
Is a free consultation the same as legal representation?
No. A free consultation is an opportunity to discuss information and possible next steps. It does not automatically create an attorney-client relationship, stop a legal deadline, or guarantee that the attorney will represent you.
What should I do if I have an upcoming foreclosure or court deadline?
Tell the attorney about the deadline immediately and provide the related documents. Timing, prior filings, notices, and the exact status of the proceeding may affect what options remain. Do not assume that submitting a website form protects the deadline.
This article provides general information about selecting a bankruptcy attorney in Broward County. It is not individualized legal advice. Bankruptcy law, Florida exemptions, court procedures, and filing requirements can change. Your rights and options depend on your specific facts and current law.