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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a bankruptcy paralegal. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a bankruptcy paralegal.

 

Who is a Bankruptcy Paralegal?

Bankruptcy paralegals are legal professionals who work in a law company and assist attorneys with day-to-day legal activities. Many people are unaware, however, that paralegals come in a variety of forms. A paralegal can specialize in a specific discipline, much as lawyers can. As a paralegal, you could work in the field of bankruptcy law. Bankruptcy paralegals will assist their clients in navigating the often difficult bankruptcy legal system so that they can regain financial stability. A paralegal is a legal practitioner who does activities that involve legal knowledge but not the full scope of a lawyer’s skill. Consultancies, firms with legal departments, and companies that execute legislation compliance tasks in sectors such as the environment, labour, intellectual property, and tax make up the paralegal market. Many paralegals work in law offices and government agencies as support staff, even though they do not utilize the correct name for the profession. Bankruptcy, on the other hand, is a legal procedure that allows people or other entities who are unable to repay their debts to creditors to seek relief from some or all of their obligations. Bankruptcy is usually imposed by a court order, which is commonly initiated by the debtor. Writing legal documents is one of a paralegal’s main responsibilities. As a bankruptcy paralegal, you’ll spend the majority of your time preparing claims and obtaining any paperwork your clients will need to effectively declare bankruptcy. You may also need to conduct forensic research on your client’s accounts to ensure that they are qualified to file for bankruptcy and that the attorney managing the case is fully informed.

 

A bankruptcy paralegal is a paralegal who focuses on bankruptcy-related matters. They conduct research, compose letters, and assist in the preparation and filing of bankruptcy petitions. Declaring bankruptcy appears to be a legal activity that should be carried out with the assistance of legal counsel. Following the proper legal channels could keep you from losing a significant amount of property to creditors. It also aids creditors in receiving a portion of their money through a payment strategy plan devised during the bankruptcy process. A paralegal specializing in bankruptcy law may have a wide range of obligations and activities. In reality, he or she could be involved in several stages of the bankruptcy process. Working for a lawyer or in a law company can mean having an extremely hectic day-to-day schedule, depending on the situation. Because bankruptcy rules differ from state to state and country to country, it’s critical for anyone working as a bankruptcy paralegal to be well-versed in the local regulations. Writing and filing, as well as gathering and organizing documents, handling numerous files about the bankruptcy procedure, and giving clients case updates are just a few of the many tasks that a paralegal specializing in bankruptcy might be responsible for.

Drafting reports, putting up schedules, preparing paperwork, and other necessary court procedures are some of the abilities that a bankruptcy paralegal may need. As a result, the best candidate for the job may be someone who can pay close attention to details, communicate effectively with a variety of people, demonstrate excellent organizational skills, efficiently complete multiple tasks at once, and work well independently. Lawyers, law firms, and other entities in some states and countries may be willing to hire paralegals with no prior experience or training. Some of the most respected employers, on the other hand, may prefer applicants with more education and experience on their resumes. Especially if there are a lot of others that want to apply. If you want to work as a paralegal for the greatest law firms, it might be in your best interests to complete a paralegal course from a recognized learning school.

A good bankruptcy paralegal will have a complete understanding of both state and federal bankruptcy laws, which can be substantially different. While most paralegals learn the fundamentals of bankruptcy law as part of their education, you can also get on-the-job training. Bankruptcy paralegals can work for both individuals and businesses, making this a demanding career. Baby steps, which require you to take one step at a time, are the foundation of success. As a bankruptcy paralegal, you’ll be in a better position to advance your career and eventually become a bankruptcy attorney. Paralegals operate behind the scenes and undertake the majority of the grunt work to predict a case’s success. Every opportunity is a stepping stone, and this one can assist them in networking and obtaining mentors who can favourably impact their careers. The demand for paralegals is predicted to expand consistently until 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is to be expected, since an increasing number of lawyers, law firms, government organizations, and other businesses seek the assistance of paralegals not just for efficiency, but also to save money.

 

Bankruptcy Paralegal Job Description

Below are the bankruptcy paralegal job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a bankruptcy paralegal job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

• Prepare applications and orders for appraisers, auctioneers, and accountants to be retained.
• Supervise document production and control in contentious matters or adversary processes.
• Analyze and formulate claims objections.
• Prepare petitions and orders that specify when administrative claims must be filed.
• Assist in bankruptcy proceedings.
• Prepare the appropriate pleadings for the asset sale.
• Collect and evaluate data on the debtor’s unsecured and secured obligations.
• Examine the debtor’s monthly financial reports to get a sense of its financial situation.
• Serve as secretary to the creditor’s committee, where they plan and attend committee meetings.
• Keep track of the case’s progress.
• Assist with the debtor’s records review and analysis.
• Calculate liquidation costs.
• Prepare applications to acquire fees for the first and to obtain reimbursement for committee members’ expenditures.
• Attend client meetings at the outset.
• Obtain information from the client and review it.
• Prepare drafts of the petition.
• Prepare and fill out evidence of claims on behalf of their employer.
• Provide evidence to back up your bankruptcy claim.
• Attend client interviews and/or conduct them.
• Keep in touch with your clients.
• Obtain all necessary information and forms for preparing and filing a bankruptcy petition.
• Keep track of your attorney’s and court’s schedules.
• Prepare clients for the Section 341 (Chapter 7) meeting.
• Write reaffirmation agreements.
• Avoid liens, utility shutoffs, garnishments, repossessions, and foreclosures by resolving issues.
• Prepare reorganization plans and keep track of payment schedules.
• Protect the interests of their company when it comes to unpaid taxes.
• Examine the notices and pleadings filed in your bankruptcy case.
• Obtain regular updates on the case’s progress until it is resolved.
• Prepare a variety of moves, such as a motion to compel the rejection of an unexpired lease assumption or a motion to stay the automatic stay.
• Respond to creditors’ and other interested parties’ questions.
• Make sure your applications are ready.
• Assist in the administration of bankruptcy estates.
• Assistance with asset sales.
• Organize the claims objections.
• Assist the attorneys in defending or defending the estates in court.
• Set deadlines for submitting financial reports.
• Collect money owed to you.
• Prepare liquidation analyses for the restructuring strategy.
• Prepare a pleading and set deadlines for submitting proofs of claim.
• Analyze and file claims objections.
• Make arrangements for the payment of money and assets to creditors.

 

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or any complete post-secondary program that has a law-related curriculum.
• Accredited paralegal certification that has been approved by the state.
• 2 years of experience as a paralegal, with a focus on bankruptcy cases.
• Legal jargon as well as national, federal, and state-specific bankruptcy procedures are required.
• Extensive experience in the preparation of legal documentation in bankruptcy cases.
• Experience using the Electronic Case Filing System of the United States Federal Bankruptcy Courts.
• Collaboration skills with Bankruptcy Lawyers, clients, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to perform legal research, communicate with clients, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work in a high-volume environment with little supervision.
• Exceptional organizational, recordkeeping, and communication abilities.

 

Essential Skills

• Critical thinking Skills: Attorneys and paralegals frequently collaborate to devise strategies for their clients. Critical thinking abilities can aid in the analysis of a problem and the formulation of a plan of action. You might, for example, assist an attorney in developing a repayment plan for a client’s creditors. While considering the client’s financial condition, critical thinking can assist you in determining the best course of action.
• Communication Skills: Paralegals must be able to communicate effectively with clients, attorneys, and other members of the legal team. They also contact the creditors and debtors of their customers. Listening, speaking, and writing skills are all important in effective communication. Clients and creditors may also need to be contacted by phone or email.
• Computer Literacy: To accomplish their professional tasks, a paralegal must be proficient with computer applications and software. They should be able to arrange and store data using word processing tools, spreadsheets, and databases. They should also be able to generate and alter documents, presentations, and other files using the software.
• Attention to Details: A bankruptcy paralegal must pay close attention to details. Attention to detail is a crucial quality for bankruptcy paralegals because they routinely evaluate and analyze vast volumes of data. It’s critical to identify any flaws or inconsistencies in the material when reviewing and analyzing financial paperwork, court documents, and other legal documents. As the case continues, you may need to keep track of any changes in the data.
• Organizational Skills: Working with many files at once is common for paralegals, so being able to organize your work is essential. You may be in charge of maintaining customer records, court documents, and other paperwork. Being able to arrange your work will assist you in rapidly finding information and completing tasks.

 

How to Become a Bankruptcy Paralegal

1. Education: The majority of paralegals must hold a two-year associate’s degree in paralegal studies. These courses cover topics such as bankruptcy, civil law, criminal law, estate law, real estate law, and tax law and are offered at community colleges and technical schools. If you want to work as a bankruptcy paralegal, one of the first things you should think about is how much education you’ll need. A bachelor’s degree is held by 47.0 percent of bankruptcy paralegals, according to our research. In terms of education, we discovered that 4.4 percent of Bankruptcy Paralegals hold a master’s degree. Even though the majority of bankruptcy paralegals have a college degree, it is feasible to work as one with only a high school diploma or GED. When looking into how to become a Bankruptcy Paralegal, picking the right major is crucial. When we looked into the most prevalent majors for bankruptcy paralegals, we discovered that they mostly earned Bachelor’s or Associate’s degrees. Master’s degrees and high school diplomas are two more degrees that we frequently see on Bankruptcy paralegal resumes.
2. Training & Experience: Employers provide bankruptcy paralegals with on-the-job training. This training assists the paralegal in learning the law firm’s specific procedures and software. It also assists the paralegal in becoming familiar with the firm’s policies and practices. You may find that previous work experience can assist you in becoming a Bankruptcy Paralegal. Many Bankruptcy paralegal jobs need prior experience in a paralegal function. Many bankruptcy paralegals, on the other hand, have prior work experience as Legal Assistants or Litigation Paralegals. Before they offer you a position, most employers want to see that you have a lot of experience as a paralegal. Internships that aren’t paid and networking can help you lay the groundwork for your future profession.
3. Certifications & Licenses: The American Bar Association requires paralegals who want to work in bankruptcy to be certified. Before filing for membership in the ABA, all aspiring paralegals must pass the Paralegal Professional Examination.

 

Where to Work as a Bankruptcy Paralegal

For bankruptcy paralegals, there are a variety of options, including self-employment and working for both the private and public sectors. In a bankruptcy case, a paralegal can accomplish work at practically every stage of the process. Bankruptcy paralegals may work for private law firms that represent people and businesses in bankruptcy proceedings. They may also collaborate with a bankruptcy attorney, banks, mortgage firms, and other creditors that hold loans that people or businesses are unable to repay. This type of paralegal can assist creditors or debtors, and they must have a thorough understanding of bankruptcy rules in the state where they work. Recent years have seen a rise in the employment of bankruptcy paralegals, owing to their cost-effectiveness for both customers and paralegal firms. Bankruptcy paralegals can operate as part of a team alongside other paralegals and lawyers, or they can work on their own. They frequently interact with clients and must be able to handle the stress of dealing with sensitive and secret information. Because of the difficult and fluctuating economic conditions, the chances of finding work are high. Unfortunately, most companies and individual businesses may be forced to seek bankruptcy services. If you work for a huge corporation, you can expect to advance in your career.

 

Bankruptcy Paralegal Salary Scale

As with most occupations, the pay that you will earn while working as a bankruptcy paralegal will mostly rely on which state you live in and what law firm you are employed by. However, you can get a basic estimate of your potential pay by looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent data. In the United States, bankruptcy paralegals earn an average of $52,086 per year or $25 per hour. Actual pay varies widely depending on field specialty, geography, years of experience, and a variety of other criteria. A paralegal in Nigeria earns roughly 255,000 NGN per month on average. Salaries vary between 133,000 and 390,000 NGN.

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