YOU AND YOUR ATTORNEY

The attorney you have hired is your advocate in this case. As such, communication between you and your attorney is vital to your Chapter 13 Plan success. For your working relationship to be fulfilling and effective, you and your attorney must communicate. 

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines communication as a giving or exchange of information. With your attorney, communication can take various forms: an appointment for an in person discussion, a telephone call or message, a letter or even email. 
	
As a practical matter, you should be keeping track of events in the case for your own record. You will be receiving copies of the pleading and documents filed in this case.  Remember, this is YOUR bankruptcy and YOU have the duty to know what is going on and that your bankruptcy case is not in trouble.  

Communication is a two way street. You should be keeping your attorney informed of any changes. For example, your attorney must know how to reach you. Please keep your attorney informed of current contact information like address, telephone number, cell phone number, email address number, etc. Perhaps you should even give your attorney an emergency or back up contact person’s information in case they need to contact you immediately.

Please remember that your attorney most likely has many clients (perhaps hundreds) and has to prioritize his or her time most effectively to serve all the clients. Sometimes a return phone call to you may take a few days. Be reasonable in your expectations. 

However, as we all know, no one is perfect and communication between you and the attorney can break down. If you are having problems with your attorney, we suggest you write a letter to your attorney expressing your concerns and request a meeting with the attorney to discuss how to resolve the issues.