Salem has been hard hit by the recession, as has most of the state. Salem bankruptcy lawyers report that they have more and more people are turning up at their offices with big financial problems. Salem bankruptcy lawyers are helping each one of these people --your neighbors-- get back on a firm financial footing. Salem bankruptcy lawyers have good advice for anybody suffering from financial distress. That advice is not to wait. If you are on a downhill financial slide, the best thing you can do is not wait until you hit bottom. You will do yourself no favors by waiting until hitting rock bottom. Looking for a good lawyer is easy. Talk to your relatives or friends. You might be surprised by how many have had to seek professional help in reorganizing their finances. This is not something that people brag about, however. If your relatives or friends cannot provide you with a good referral, then check out the internet. Many lawyers have detailed information on their sites, and this is a great place o do some initial fact finding. Be prepared to interview your lawyer. Yes, interview. You need to know if the lawyer you intend to hire is on the same track as you. Bankruptcy is not the end of your life; in fact, it can be the beginning of a new financial start. And you must make a new start! Your lawyer may advise that you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy. Chapter 7 will have you selling your assets and paying off your creditors. Chapter 13 will have you working out a schedule to pay off the creditors while you keep some of your assets. You working wit you lawyer is the first step in gaining financial footing and beginning again. You will be glad that you didn't wait.