A very large part of my practice is cleaning up other lawyers’ messes. I practice only bankruptcy (which crosses over with loan modifications). Believe you me there is so much to know in this area of the law I do not have time to venture into other areas.
I get several calls a week from potential clients who have paid a lot of money to their attorney to file a bankruptcy case on their behalf. At some point these potential clients began to feel uncomfortable with their present attorney and did not consult with another attorney in time.
The best advice I can give you, go with your gut! If you feel like you do not have the correct attorney even after you have paid the attorney money, consult with other attorneys. You can fire your attorney and your attorney can fire you.
I recently spoke to an attorney who told me she files Chapter 7 cases to help her existing clients (as she practices in other areas). She said, “Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases are simple enough.” However, once of her most recent Chapter 7 cases should have been filed as a Chapter 13 case. Since she did not know enough about consumer bankruptcy she incorrectly put her client into a Chapter 7 when she could have filed a Chapter 13 and eliminated his second mortgage.
Many people do not look to fire their existing attorney until after their case is filed. This will result in your new attorney having to clean up the mess that the initial attorney (who did not know enough to adequately represent you) started if it is at all even possible. It will cost you a lot more money in the end.
Just remember you get what you pay for. And for those who have paid the initial attorney a lot of money, discuss with your new attorney the possibility of getting a full or partial refund from the former attorney.