If you’re struggling with debt, you might be looking for ways to reduce that debt. One option is to use services like debt consolidation, where a debt relief lawyer represents you.
What is a Debt Relief Lawyer?
A debt relief lawyer works with your creditors on your behalf to try and relieve some of your debt. Working with a debt relief lawyer is a good step before declaring bankruptcy, and it is often a way to consolidate your debt when you’re struggling with financial problems. Most creditors just want some form of repayment. If they realize they won't ever get full repayment because of their financial situation, many are typically willing to accept some sort of repayment plan or a fraction of the total amount owed because it means they at least get something instead of nothing.
What Does a Debt Relief Attorney Do?
A debt relief attorney helps to settle debt with your creditors, usually settling for a far less amount than you owe. In these cases, your attorney communicates with your creditors. Instead of the creditors reaching out to you, they now reach out to your legal representation. This collaboration can reduce harassment first and foremost since your attorney now goes through negotiations instead of you.
Your attorney can also work on your behalf to get a form of debt settlement. In a debt settlement, you pay a fraction of the total amount owed, but you pay upfront in exchange for the debt being wiped away, or you reduce the total amount you owe and pay a smaller, more manageable amount each month.
When to Hire a Debt Relief Lawyer in North Dakota
You should look into the best debt relief lawyer in North Dakota when your debt is out of control or you need help managing a consolidation plan and getting creditors off your back.
How to Find a Lawyer for Debt Relief
When you are ready to find a North Dakota debt relief attorney, there are a variety of resources:
- You can find lawyers via the American Bar Association.
- You can use a lawyer referral service in your area and ask for an attorney with experience in consumer law, debt collection defense, or the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA).
- You can try to find a legal aid office in your state.
- You can also ask for referrals from people who have previously worked with debt relief attorneys. If you already have an attorney you know or have worked with for any other reason or any other area of law, you can always ask them for a referral for debt relief attorneys.
How Do I Choose a Debt Relief Attorney in North Dakota?
When you decide to choose a lawyer for debt relief, you need to choose someone you are comfortable with. You need to choose an attorney with good communication throughout the process. There are also a few other important things to consider when hiring a debt relief attorney:
Location
Even though debt settlement lawyers don't have to be located in the same state you are, if you’re trying to settle an unsecured debt or resolve problems with a debt collector, you might want someone who is, at the very least, in the same time zone as you so that communicating is easier.
Fees
The fee structure for your North Dakota debt relief lawyer will also influence your decision. Many situations involving an attorney or law firm working with bankruptcy law will charge a flat rate depending on the complexity of your case. After giving you legal advice, a debt lawyer specializing in debt relief options aside from bankruptcy might charge a flat fee of a few thousand dollars, or they might charge an hourly fee. It is very likely that, given the circumstances, you can find a way to set up a payment program as part of your working arrangement, but this depends entirely on the attorney you choose and might be a significant factor in your decision.
How Much Does the Debt Relief Lawyer Average Cost North Dakota?
When you are having financial problems, the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of a debt settlement lawyer. Legal services for things like debt relief options are usually charged as a flat fee. With a flat fee, you pay a specific amount that covers all of the services you receive, no matter how long the case takes. You are very likely to find a debt attorney who offers payment plans with the services. For example:
- If your debt settlement attorney charges a flat fee of $10,000 to help you with your debt consolidation and manage your credit, they might divide your payments into an upfront retainer of $1,000 and payments of $750 per month for the next year.
- Conversely, if your debt collection attorney charges by the hour, they might set up a payment structure where you get monthly invoices. You would pay the minimum amount of these invoices, the rest (if any) of which is typically subject to moderate interest rates.
Payment structure depends entirely on the attorney you choose and how a law firm operates.
If you are worried about the cost of a North Dakota debt relief lawyer, there are several legal assistance programs that you can search for based on your area, usually called:
- Legal clinics
- Legal Aid
- Legal advice
Most of these programs have eligibility guidelines based on your income and the size of your family. Many legal aid offices have a full staff of lawyers who operate as volunteers.
Do Debt Relief Attorneys Usually Charge for Consultations?
A lawyer for debt relief in North Dakota will not usually charge for consultations. A debt settlement attorney needs to figure out in advance whether you have a situation that qualifies for debt consolidation. Just because you are dealing with creditors or debt collection doesn't mean you are being harassed by debt collectors or that you qualify for a restructuring program.
During the consultation, which is usually only about 30 minutes, an attorney will gather information from you and figure out if you have a case. If you do, then they will cover the next steps, price, and whether they are willing to take on your case.
