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David L. Stretch
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David L. Stretch
The Law Office of David L. Stretch
5447 West Bull Valley Road
McHenry, IL 60050
Phone: (815) 578-0055 | Fax: (815) 385-9363
http://www.stretchlaw.com
Discover a Debt-Free World
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
Consumer debtors seeking to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Debt Relief
- Business Bankruptcy
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
IL, Oct 1995
Bar Number: 6228693
Other Court Admissions
All state courts in Illinois, and the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.
Association Memberships
American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and the McHenry County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attend every bankruptcy continuing legal education program possible for me to attend, far more than required to satisfy the Illinois mandatory legal education requirement. I make every effort to keep current with the constantly changing area of bankruptcy law.
Example Cases
One unusual application of bankruptcy law was involved in one of my client's chapter 7 bankruptcies. The client had an automobile accident while driving without automobile insurance. A bankruptcy petition was filed in order to satisfy the client's financial responsibility requirement so that the client's driver's license would not be revoked. The client's debts were also discharged.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
University of California Hastings College of the Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1976
Focus and Accomplishments:
Insurance Law.
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
Yale University
City:
New Haven
State:
CT
Year:
Information coming soon.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: History of Music.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Illinois
Firm Focus and History
The Law Office of David L. Stretch focuses on bankruptcy law, in particular, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy petitions for consumer debtors.
The Law Office of David L. Stretch was established in 1998 as a suburban law practice to serve the residents of Cook County and McHenry County, Illinois. The office is now located in the City of McHenry in McHenry County, and continues to serve clients in Lake, Boone, Kane, Cook , and other surrounding counties.
Previous Employment Summary
After graduating from law school, Attorney David L. Stretch worked for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in New York City and passed the New York State bar examination in 1978. He then practiced general insurance defense law in Honolulu, Hawaii from 1980 to 1987 and passed the Hawaii State bar examination in 1980. From 1987 until 1998, Attorney Stretch directed continuing legal education programs for the Hawaii State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, and then as an in-house director of training for the law firms of Holland & Knight and Baker & McKenzie. In 1998, Attorney Stretch returned to the private practice of law, having passed the Illinois State bar examination in 1995.
Activities and Awards
Pro bono work for the Prairie State Legal Foundation, Woodstock, Illinois.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It is far preferable to work with clients who take the time to research their own legal issues before meeting with me, and those clients who continue to research their issues during the pendency of their bankruptcies. There are many excellent websites available to consumer debtors.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am glad to review documents prepared by my clients, especially financial summaries done in preparation for the filing of their bankruptcy petitions.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do not think that many individuals are prepared to do a good job with their own pro se bankruptcy petitions. Bankruptcy law is complex and filled with procedural pitfalls for non-lawyers. I would discourage my clients from filing their own bankruptcy petitions.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
To help people with important issues that they may not be able to handle by themselves so that they can get on with their lives.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
After many years as a family law attorney, my own divorce, though as civil as anyone could expect it to be, was still an unpleasant experience. It increased my awareness of what clients find wrong with any court proceeding and made me think again about what a client needs to know about his or her matter before, during, and after litigation.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
My family law practice almost invariably involved debt issues between the parties. Debt was, in some instances, the reason for the breakdown of a marriage. Resolution of the debt issues by means of an individual bankruptcy petition for my client, or, if the divorce action had not commenced, for both parties, was often the best solution to an acrimonious problem. I now focus my practice on bankruptcy, and, in particular, the use of bankruptcy to facilitate a divorce.
What do you like best about your career?
I have indeed been able to help people, and this is something I enjoy. Bankruptcy provides relief to people who are surprised to find that they can live a normal life again without debt, and I am glad to assist in that process.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a sole practitioner and do all work involved in my clients' matters by myself. I work without any legal assistants and have been able to do so by applying every technology possible to my practice. My hands-on style keeps me up with each of my clients and I can usually answer any question from my clients without having to check the file.
What are your strengths and style?
My style is informal but at all times professional. I do not try to intimidate my clients or act superior, and take their bankruptcy concerns and fears seriously. I have set my fees at reasonable rates that are, I believe, near the average for this community.
Personal Interests:
My personal interests center around music and trying to get into and stay in good physical condition. I majored in music in college, and have played the piano and sung in choirs or other singing groups all of my life. I take long fast walks with my fiancé almost every evening and try to lift a few light weights when I can.
Fax
(815) 385-9363
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Late afternoons and Saturdays by arrangement.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
My bankruptcy fees are fixed. I charge a flat, fixed fee of $1,750.00 for an individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, $2,000.00 for a joint Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, and $3,500.00 for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy petition. These fees include representation through the creditors meeting for both a Chapter 7 and a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and through the confirmation of a Chapter 13 plan. My fees do not include the court filing fees, fees for credit information, or the costs of consumer credit counseling or personal financial management courses from providers of those services.
Hourly Rates
None, all bankruptcy fees are flat, fixed fees.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, initial bankruptcy consultations are free of charge, are not limited in time, but usually take about one hour. I am glad to answer most questions over the telephone.
Typical Retainer
No, my fees are fixed fees.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
