~Lawyers, can’t live with them and can’t live without them! One truly starts to appreciate that statement as the need for their services comes into our lives. Working on my parents’ estate and health documents made me cringe whenever I had to talk to a lawyer. How much was this conversation going to be costing me, would be running through my mind whenever I had to.

So when we approached Andy in late 2012 in search of a bankruptcy lawyer, that tune played in my head all through our meeting from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, while he reviewed our financial information and answered questions in this office. Some key questions concerning Trustee roles and inheritance were quickly responded to, when other lawyers had to research the information first. At the conclusion of the meeting, Andy informed us of his cost to represent us and told us we would need to pay him on the day when we actually start the bankruptcy paperwork process. He told us to email or call him whenever a question came up in the meantime. I knew there was going to be a lot of emails/calls because I was the Trustee of my parents’ and uncle’s estate and questioned him about any additional cost. He repeated his statement with a slight modification, ‘feel “free” to email or call with any questions.’ My curiosity was peaked, a knowledgeable lawyer with a sense of humor. Fast forward a year, with dozens of emails and phone conversations occurring, the dollar amount on the check was the same as he quoted us.

On the actual day of the Meeting of the Creditors, we were 6th in line. Case after case, 15 to 20 minutes a case, lawyer after lawyer, the clients were going to have to return for another meeting because their paperwork was incomplete. Then came our turn, we responded to the Trustee’s questions with Andy piping in whenever necessary. Five minutes later, we were shaking hands with the Trustee and it was over. Sixty days later the bankruptcy paperwork arrived in the mail.

Well, now comes the house foreclosure process, all part of our original plan. I’m still sending Andy emails and he is still advising. That tune of the cost isn’t running through my mind anymore, at least not with Andy! He truly knows his trade and how to make this very difficult psychological time flow easier for us. The only thing I regret is not having spoken to Andy a few years earlier. He convinced us to put the plan in place when our accountant could not.

Thank you Andy for being there!