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 Our attorneys each
have litigation, transactional, general civil and business
experience. They have worked for circuit judges, the State
Attorney's Office, the U.S. Government, private law firms, and a
host of private businesses and clients. Their transactional
experience includes a range of work with small and mid-sized
businesses, as well as individuals. Their litigation experience
includes tens of jury trials.
Mr. Budgen’s
business experience includes working for several technology
companies, working with the White House and working with
businesses large and small. He also held a position as an
associate at the largest technology specialty law firm in
Florida and worked as an Assistant State Attorney. He earned his
Bachelor’s and a minor in Business from Northwestern University.
He earned his law degree and a Master’s in Management from
Syracuse University. Mr. Budgen is a member of MENSA, a Director
of the Central Florida Bankruptcy Law Association and a member
of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Mr. Budgen's
Bankruptcy experience includes multiple reported decisions and
single cases in excess of $14,000,000.00.
Call Us Now 407-481-2888
Important
Items Regarding Fees:
There are many
places in Florida that will advertise fees as low as $100 for
filing bankruptcy. There are some important details that are
left out of those offers though.
A bankruptcy case is
an ongoing court case. The average Chapter 7 may take 4 to 6
months to complete. Although many of our clients are surprised
at how simple the process can be, there are many challenges the
improperly represented filer will face.
“Document
Preparation"
The United States
Department of Justice (DOJ), which regulates and appoints United
States Trustees to oversee the bankruptcy process, is currently
investigating many paralegal and “document preparation”
businesses. Many of these businesses operate without any sort of
licensing and are guilty of the unauthorized practice of law.
The largest problem with many such organizations is that they
often fail to inform their customers of the many documents or
court appearances the client will likely need help with
throughout the process. For example, the U.S. Trustee in Orlando
has been investigating many recent Chapter 13 cases that were
improperly prepared by such organizations. Although many of
these customers saved a few hundred dollars, they stood to loose
their homes! Many of the cases being investigated by the DOJ
were brought to their attention because only the first 2 of
approximately 40 pages of paperwork were completed. Although 2
pages are enough to open a case, the other 40 or so pages are
required to survive more than 15 days. Many of the filers didn’t
realize their cases were improperly filed and about to be
dismissed.
 Paralegal Services
Our law firm
regularly receives calls from filers who used paralegal
businesses to prepare their filings where the documents were
improperly completed or the filers were improperly advised. The
filer must then hire a law firm to correct the mistakes to avoid
their case being dismissed. Call us for the case numbers of
example cases where we fixed these types of mistakes. On
average, we receive one such call per month. In a recent case we
handled, the client was improperly advised by a paralegal
service, filed the wrong Chapter of bankruptcy, and lost $20,000
equity he could have otherwise preserved. He did save $500 on
his filing though.
“Discount” Law Firms
We rarely see
improperly prepared documents by other law firms. However, we do
see a variety of pricing schemes and sometimes misleading price
quotes. For example, here is a how a filing is advertised for
$590 and results in $1200 in fees. Note, the following items are
included in our filing price. Some firms will advertise $590
bankruptcies, then add many items their clients are not even
aware that they will need during the course of the case. These
items include.
Item Other Firms
Charge extra for:
-
Reaffirmations $75-$150 each
(to keep cars, houses, furniture, etc.);
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Listing creditors $20-$50
each (you must list everyone you owe);
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Attend your “341 meeting”
$100-$300 each (this is your court hearing);
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Mail cease & desist letters
varies (we will contact creditors to stop contact
immediately).
Calling creditors
usually not offered.
Obtaining a credit
report may not be offered (public records search for judgment &
liens you may not be aware of)
Our firm charges one
low flat rate up-front price for all of the services we believe
the average client would need for a successful bankruptcy
filing. Over 90% of our clients fit within our flat rate pricing
and never pay additional fees. We know we offer a very
competitively priced service. However, you may discover this for
yourself. Call around and be sure to ask about the above
services and what they cost. You may be surprised to find out
that a $590 quote will cost you between $1200 and $1400,
hundreds more than our fee..
Payment Plans are
available.
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