Top Dog Auto Repair

Unless Ms [redacted] and her husband agree in writing to waive the "attorney-client privilege" I cannot disclose their informationIt is very hard to defend against a client with my hands tied behind my back.If she feels that we have not treated her fairly, I will be happy to talk to herIf they will give me written permission, I could lay everything out in detail and separate fact from fiction for those that are reading this.While I cannot talk about her situation, I can discuss in general how the process works in my office.First, all my clients are brokeThat is not relevantIf they hire us, they pay the feesI cannot work for free though I surely would love it if I could.EVERY prospective client gets a "pink sheet" detailing their fees and costs at the first consultationNo surprisesNo pressure is ever used though we do give a $discount if we are retained on the first consultation.The pink sheet every potential client receives sets out that we take creditor calls in the months before the scheduled filing date for the bankruptcyIn fact, we take some calls even before that if the case will be filed within monthsThe contract every client signs lays out a payment schedule, when we need information and sets a “target filing date” for fees and costs to be paid in full so their bankruptcy can be filed.By the way, we are the ONLY law office that GIVES EVERY CLIENT a week credit rebuilding educational programThe company that provides this service charges $1,if the client went to them directly.We work with many clients that have problemsHowever, every client must provide timely, up to date informationCircumstances changeThe law and how the courts interpret the law changes.Under new laws, as of December 1, ALL the bankruptcy forms changedThis means ALL the questions have changedFor clients that have not been filed before December 1, 2015, all the work on every case had to be redone from scratchI cannot help that there is a change in the law.We encouraged every one of our clients that was scheduled to be filed prior to December 1, 2015, to get with us, provide the necessary information, and pay any outstanding fees so their case could be filed before the law changedIf there is outdated information, it has to be updated with our case analystThen it has to be reviewed by me.In all bankruptcy cases, any bankruptcy debtor has to pass the "means test." That looks at the exact, to the penny, income and pay statements for the calendar months prior to the month the case is filedThe same is true of the “Statement of Affairs” and the “schedules listing assets, debts, income and expenses.” In addition there are many other documents to be filed.Every time a client waits another month, changes the information that has to be given to the court for the new month windowThat requires more work by my staff and myselfThat comes out of the small amount of profit in small fee casesI actually lose money if I have a client that does not cooperate.When any client has not completed the case within months after the agreed "target filing date" and the delay is due to lack of payment or lack of cooperation to complete the case, we send out a letter that we are going to close their file if they do not work with usI am sorry, but I have to either get a client filed or close the caseI am not the client’s “forever” slave.Additionally, if a client is scheduled to come in to review their case, then reschedules or cancels at the last minute, it means that we cannot, at the last minute, just insert someone elseThat time is lost for us to schedule a new clientYou can never get time back.For the record, sometimes bankruptcy is "rocket science." I did not spend years of my life in school just to fill out papersNor have I spent years in practice spending several thousand dollars each year to keep on top of all the changes in the lawI am one of only attorneys certified by the State Bar of California as a bankruptcy law specialistThat is like comparing the brain surgeon with the guy that mops up the operating roomVery different people and very different skill setsIf it isn’t “rocket science” try doing your own brain surgery.My job is to make sure that my client gets the best legal services in Northern CaliforniaThat means protecting the client’s assets, doing the means test analysis as needed and much more.I am proud of the quality of our servicesThe Judges and the Trustees know the quality of the work we doAfter all, every years the State Bar asks them before renewing my Bankruptcy Specialist CertificationI think that says it all

Unless Ms. [redacted] and her husband agree in writing to waive the "attorney-client privilege" I cannot disclose their information. It is very hard to defend against a client with my hands tied behind my back.If she feels that we have not treated her fairly, I will be happy to talk to her. If they...

will give me written permission, I could lay everything out in detail and separate fact from fiction for those that are reading this.While I cannot talk about her situation, I can discuss in general how the process works in my office.First, all my clients are broke. That is not relevant. If they hire us, they pay the fees. I cannot work for free though I surely would love it if I could.EVERY prospective client gets a "pink sheet" detailing their fees and costs at the first consultation. No surprises. No pressure is ever used though we do give a $100 discount if we are retained on the first consultation.The pink sheet every potential client receives sets out that we take creditor calls in the 2 months before the scheduled filing date for the bankruptcy. In fact, we take some calls even before that if the case will be filed within 4 months. The contract every client signs lays out a payment schedule, when we need information and sets a “target filing date” for fees and costs to be paid in full so their bankruptcy can be filed.By the way, we are the ONLY law office that GIVES EVERY CLIENT a 14 week credit rebuilding educational program. The company that provides this service charges $1,000 if the client went to them directly.We work with many clients that have problems. However, every client must provide timely, up to date information. Circumstances change. The law and how the courts interpret the law changes.Under new laws, as of December 1, 2015 ALL the bankruptcy forms changed. This means ALL the questions have changed. For clients that have not been filed before December 1, 2015, all the work on every case had to be redone from scratch. I cannot help that there is a change in the law.We encouraged every one of our clients that was scheduled to be filed prior to December 1, 2015, to get with us, provide the necessary information, and pay any outstanding fees so their case could be filed before the law changed. If there is outdated information, it has to be updated with our case analyst. Then it has to be reviewed by me.In all bankruptcy cases, any bankruptcy debtor has to pass the "means test." That looks at the exact, to the penny, income and pay statements for the 6 calendar months prior to the month the case is filed. The same is true of the “Statement of Affairs” and the “schedules listing assets, debts, income and expenses.” In addition there are many other documents to be filed.Every time a client waits another month, changes the information that has to be given to the court for the new 6 month window. That requires more work by my staff and myself. That comes out of the small amount of profit in small fee cases. I actually lose money if I have a client that does not cooperate.When any client has not completed the case within 4 months after the agreed "target filing date" and the delay is due to lack of payment or lack of cooperation to complete the case, we send out a letter that we are going to close their file if they do not work with us. I am sorry, but I have to either get a client filed or close the case. I am not the client’s “forever” slave.Additionally, if a client is scheduled to come in to review their case, then reschedules or cancels at the last minute, it means that we cannot, at the last minute, just insert someone else. That time is lost for us to schedule a new client. You can never get time back.For the record, sometimes bankruptcy is "rocket science." I did not spend 7 years of my life in school just to fill out papers. Nor have I spent 37 years in practice spending several thousand dollars each year to keep on top of all the changes in the law. I am one of only 154 attorneys certified by the State Bar of California as a bankruptcy law specialist. That is like comparing the brain surgeon with the guy that mops up the operating room. Very different people and very different skill sets. If it isn’t “rocket science” try doing your own brain surgery.My job is to make sure that my client gets the best legal services in Northern California. That means protecting the client’s assets, doing the means test analysis as needed and much more.I am proud of the quality of our services. The Judges and the Trustees know the quality of the work we do. After all, every 5 years the State Bar asks them before renewing my Bankruptcy Specialist Certification. I think that says it all.