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Diane Drain, attorney, retired law professor, wife, mother and friend.
Out of respect for our clients’ privacy the following comments have been redacted from letters we have received
over the last two decades. Our clients include both creditors and debtors in bankruptcy, those involved in trustee’s sales, foreclosures and forcible entry and detainers. At the conclusion of our representation we ask each client to fill out a report card regarding our services. We are please to say that our average grade is an “A”. Personal referrals are gladly provided on request.
Our reputation is built on our client’s trust that we could help them during a very difficult time. Our commitment to each client is to provide them the best guidance we can.
We invite you to read comments by clients and other professionals about Diane below. Or you can leave your own review:
Client and Fellow Lawyer’s Rating
Diane ranks 10.0 out of 10.0 for over all client and her peers rating on AVVO (a site for lawyers).
Our clients seek our help at time their lives are turned upside down; most are scared and just want a calm nights sleep. Our responsibility is to guide our clients toward that peaceful sleep, but requires hard work. Many of these reviews describe their successful travel to that peaceful life.CLIENT REVIEWS
Chapter 13 Client Reviews and Comments
Diane and Jay are wonderful people that really went to great lengths to help us out and manage our bankruptcy in order the give us the best chance at financial recovery. Bankruptcy is horribly stressful and they really made it as streamlined as it could have possibly been…I’m not saying I ever want to go through this nightmare again, but if I did I would definitely call Diane.
Five years ago, I was in financial term oil for various reasons and was running scared. I did not know what to do or how how was going to get out of the mess I was under. I avoided answering my phone and opening collection letters like the plague. I didn’t want to admit that I needed legal help. I was stubborn and thought I could handle it….wrong!!! I consulted with two different attorneys and left both feeling like I was just number and not an actual person who needed help. To my good fortune, I then found and consulted with Diane Drain. I felt at ease with her. She listened to me with empathy and understood my situation and reassured me that she would help me and that I was not a failure and that bankruptcy is a legal right to anybody who just needs a fresh financial start. Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a lot of work and takes tremendous discipline but Diane and Jay were with me every step of the way and I will be forever grateful to them for helping me through a very dark time and providing me a guiding and comforting light while I worked toward getting my life back on track. For me, the third time was the charm. Diane and Jay, I thank you so very much for all of your help. You truly are a credit to all you represent and I will not hesitate to refer anybody I know to you should he or she need legal financial advice.
Going thru CH13 was a huge and difficult decision for us. Both Diane and Jay were very patient. Took time to explain everything. They were receptive, understanding and helpful thru the entire process. As you can imagine we had many questions during the 5 year process but they were always quick to respond. I would recommend them highly.
Simply put, Ms. Diane Drain knows her stuff and you certainly want somebody of her caliber in your corner when the chips are down. It is a great privilege and a greater comfort to have her in mine. I have made some bad choices along the path of life as most of us do. Its all part of life’s lesson. However, the choice I made to select her as my attorney was no doubt one of the best decisions of my life to this point. Call her…call her now and get control of your life back…I did!!! I promise you will not be disappointed. Thank you Diane and thank you Jay !!!!
Diane and Jay did an excellent job and my wife and I could not be happier. She was able to help us keep the assets that were important to our family and answered our questions along the way. Very knowledgeable and professional. Diane came very highly recommended to us by a long time family friend who is also an attorney. Would not hesitate to recommend their services.
Ms. Drain helped make a very difficult time more bearable. She treated us with the utmost respect and caring while pushing us to get together the paperwork needed to get us to the best possible end result. It was very obvious that her peers held her in high esteem. I even had another attorney tell me we had one of the best attorneys out there. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of her services. Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.
Diane was a the best choice we could have made when choosing our legal counsel. She is as much a teacher as a lawyer, always patient and willing to answer any questions no matter how small. She was very thorough, making sure an already stressful situation did not become worse. She put us at ease immediately. Thanks Diane!
Just a quick note to say Thank You! We received our discharge paperwork this week and it has been a huge burden lifted off of our shoulders. I want to thank you for your total professionalism and the manner in which you treated us as clients….we never once felt judged for the position that we were in. Instead, we felt that you had a genuine concern for us as clients and that one of your goals is to insure that we were educated on the process and what our options were from the start. You were the main catalyst that made a very emotionally draining time very bearable and helped us to see the light at the end of a very long dark tunnel.
About 10 years ago you represented me in my bankruptcy and you were wonderful.
I have referred a number of people to you, though I fear some of them did not have the ovaries for the follow through.
I have followed your advice, and that contained in the information you gave, me and am proud to say my credit rating is approaching the mid- 700s and one of my creditors, USAA Federal Bank, actually re-issued me a credit card. I have done better than I ever expected and believe that much of my success is due to the thorough and respectful manner in which you led me through the process.
We were forced to file for bankruptcy about three years ago. We had no idea if we should use an attorney or what attorney to use. After contacting one attorney we quickly realized we might know more than him about the procedure. A realtor acquaintance of ours then recommended Diane Drain, who he had used in a bankruptcy filing. Diane led us through the procedure and helped us avoid numerous pitfalls. Her leadership was superb including starting the procedure, the filing, the hearing in court and numerous issues along the way. We recommend Diane Drain without reservation.
I want to express my appreciation to you and your assistant Jay for all your hard work. I can not imagine being treated with more professionalism and respect that you did. Going to the entire bankruptcy process was not a easy task for my and my family but you provided us with valuable counseling while explaining the law, you answered all our questions in a timely manner and you kept us informed at all times of how the process is going. You are not only a competent and experienced lawyer but also one of those fine individuals who takes pride in their profession while serving others. I will recommend you with any opportunity I might have in the future.
We were very apprehensive and stressed out at the thought of having to go through such a difficult process. From our first meeting with Diane Drain it was clear that we would not have to go through this alone! Immediately we felt a huge sense of relief. We were led step by step as to what would need to be done and when. When we did have a question or concern she responded right away.We never had to call more than once. We were treated with the utmost care and respect. Many years ago I had been a victim of an attorney who treated me insultingly, never explained anything and did not return my calls. I was left alone to try and resolve things on my own and it was extremely stressful. Our experience this time was completely different. We cannot thank her enough!
I thought all lawyers were greedy. You proved me wrong by spending so many hours helping me through this very difficult time of my life. My chapter 13 was a challenge because of changing jobs and getting a divorce, but you saved my car and reduced the interest rate and paid off all my taxes. Thank you for always being there whenever I needed you.
I first met Diane Drain in September 2008 when she agreed to represent me in my Bankruptcy filing. It was a difficult decision for me as I had always had outstanding credit and prided myself on being responsible and trustworthy. But, with my marriage of 30 years ending, the housing market sliding (I was upside down in the home), I had spent most of my savings and resources just to keep my head above water and then, I started sinking financially into a bottomless pit of debt. Bankruptcy was the best solution for me and that was a hard realization. Diane Drain handled my case with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. She kept me informed in all aspects of the case as it moved through the Court system. Diane had advised me of the negative changes that would occur to my credit report. She also educated me, that the BK was a fresh start and my credit could be rebuilt with hard work and patience on my part. I want to inform others who may be going through the bankruptcy process, that with time, hard work and informed financial decisions, you can climb out of the lowest financial point in your life and achieve the highest point again.
In the 3 years since my Bankruptcy, I have worked my credit score back to 700 , I purchased a new vehicle after the discharge and I just closed on a new home and mortgage. All this was possible by the knowledge, skill and expertise Diane Drain has as a Bankruptcy attorney. To Diane I again say thank you. You have help me once again attain the American dream…
Client Rating
Ms. Drain ranks 5.0 out of 5.0 for over all client rating on Martindale Hubbell (a site for lawyers).
Please Note:
The information in this web site is not intended to constitute legal advice or to create an attorney-client relationship. It is also important to note that the information contained in this article may be outdated.
It is very important that you obtain legal advice from an experienced bankruptcy attorney regarding your particular situation. Consultation before you take action will certainly cost you less than what it will cost to fix your unintentional errors.
I was fortunate enough to be invited for a short interview on a local radio station. The short discussion is about financial challenges and bankruptcy. This is just an audio program, but it is only 12 minutes long. I hope the information is informative.
About the Author:
Diane L. Drain is a well known and respected Arizona bankruptcy attorney. She is an expert in both consumer bankruptcy and real estate laws. Since 1985 she has been a dedicated advocate for her clients and spokesperson for Arizona citizens. Diane is a professor of law and has taught bankruptcy for more than 20 years. As a teacher she believes in offering everyone, not just her clients, advice about the Arizona bankruptcy laws. She is also a mentor to hundreds of Arizona attorneys.Read More →
Connect with Diane on google+ *This article is available for educational purposes only and does not provide specific legal advice. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and me, and that this information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from an attorney familiar with your personal circumstances and licensed to practice law in your state.*
Please Note:
The following information is provided as a courtesy only and is believed to be accurate as of the time of publication. Should there be any error or omission in the information it does not impair the effectiveness of notices given by statutory methods. If you are uncertain as to the accuracy of the information you may contact the trustee by phone. The credit bids provided are based on information that may change on the day of sale; therefore there may be a deviation in the actual amount used to open the bidding. Any deviation is not grounds for contesting the trustee’s sale.
If you have reached this page without first reading the Instructions and Disclaimer you are to return to that page before continuing on.
The Trustee, or her auctioneer, has the complete discretion to set specific rules and requirements related to the Trustee’s sale auction. See our auctioneer’s outline. Failure to comply with the rules and requirements will result in the Trustee or her auctioneer refusing to accept the offered bid or bids. The Trustee, or her auctioneer, has the discretion to set minimum and maximum bid increments on all trustee’s sales. A maximum incremental bid of $2,000 applies to all trustee’s sales of less than $250,000 principal.
In order to bid at the auction each bidder must present to the person conducting the trustee’s sale a deposit of $10,000 cash or cashier’s check (drawn on a national bank) payable to or endorsed to the Law Office of D.L. Drain, P.A. No other form of deposit will be accepted. Every bidder must identify the name of the person or entity that will be named as Grantee on the Trustee’s Deed, no substitutions shall be permitted
By participating in any trustee’s sale conducted by or on behalf of our office you are agreeing:
(1) to comply with all terms of the auction and any requirements set forth herein or at the time of the auction.
(2) that such terms and conditions are binding upon you and those who you are acting for as agent, and upon those who may take title to the property after the trustee’s sale.
(3) that all properties are sold “as is” with no warranty as to condition or covenants as to title.
(4) If you do not agree with these conditions, then your sole remedy is not to participate in the trustee’s sale.
(5) that should you or any entity or person you are acting on behalf of, bring an action against the Trustee, and/or the Trustee’s auctioneer or agent, then such bidder and/or entity bringing such action shall be responsible to the Trustee, and/or the Trustee’s auctioneer or agent, for all fees and costs incurred in defending such action.
(6) to all terms and conditions set forth in the auctioneer’s outline and herein.
- Bowder/Rasmussen vs Esparza
2233/160099 SOLD TO BENEFICIARY
Sale Location: 201 West Jefferson, Maricopa County Superior Courthouse, Phoenix
Sale Date: August 14, 2017 at 10:00
Property: 3624 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85019 - Daughs vs Gabriel
647/160064 – SOLD TO BENEFICIARY
Sale Location: 201 West Jefferson, Maricopa County Superior Courthouse, Phoenix
Sale Date: December 1, 2016 at 10:00
Property: 12645 West Pasadena Avenue, Litchfield Park, Arizona 85340 - Pascarelli Living Trust vs Coley
2114/150071 CANCELLED BY BENEFICIARY
Location: 201 West Jefferson, Maricopa County Superior Courthouse, Phoenix
Sale Date: February 17, 2016 at 10:30
Property:103 S. Crestview Street, Chandler, Arizona 85226 - Brandy Land LP vs Tom & Elizabeth Parrella – Cancelled
2002/140036
Location: Office of the Trustee: One East Camelback, Suite 550, Phoenix
Sale Date: November 26, 2014 at 10:00, cancelled 11/5/14
Property: 31808 & 32002 N. Black Cross Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85266 - Kolonia LLC vs Julia Farmer – approximate credit bid: $36,000.00
2007-140041
Location: 201 West Jefferson, Maricopa County Superior Courthouse, Phoenix
Sale Date: December 17, 2014 at 10:00, POSTPONED TO JANUARY 5, 2015 at 10:00 am. Sold to beneficiary
Property: 9633 N. 1st Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020 - Lungwitz vs Theresa Simon
1981/140014
Location: 201 West Jefferson, Maricopa County Superior Courthouse, Phoenix
Sale Date: February 4, 2015 at 10:00, postponed to March 16, 2015 at 10:00 Approximate credit bid: $231,259.34 Sold to beneficiary
Property: 5409 West El Caminito Drive, Glendale, AZ 85302
As with any profession, there are many lawyers to choose from. Take time to do your homework before hiring an attorney. Hiring a bad lawyer is like hiring a bad plumber. You are left with a mess to clean up at the end. If someone qualified is willing to help you clean up the mess they will have to charge much more than if the job had been done correctly the first time.
– Diane L. Drain
Copyright (c) 1996 William D. Marvin (portions of this article)
Copyright (c) 2004 Diane L. Drain (portions of this article)
CLICK ON EACH TITLE BELOW TO EXPAND THE ANSWER.
How Do I Find a Good Lawyer?
How does someone go about finding a good lawyer if they don’t already know a good lawyer, and perhaps have never needed a lawyer before? This FAQ will talk about different ways to find an attorney, without getting bogged down in too much detail about specific types of cases. Whatever method you use, remember – the lawyer is your employee. That lawyer has special legal knowledge, otherwise you would not need to hire them, but they are not in total control of the case – it is your case, not theirs. On the other hand, the lawyer is responsible to you and the court system to make sure that the actions that he or she pursues are valid claims. No lawyer should represent a client who just wants to sue for the sake of hurting someone. A lawyer’s job is to analyze the situation and determine whether or not there are grounds for this action and fully inform you of the chances of a successful conclusion.
The best way is the old-fashioned way: personal referral and word of mouth. If you know any lawyers, even if they don’t handle your type of case, ask them for recommendations. Ask friends, family, clergy, people at work, union officials, club members, at the corner tavern or beauty salon. You could also ask for the name and telephone number of the company lawyer for your employer. Business lawyers very often know who the best matrimonial, personal injury or bankruptcy lawyers are in their area. Make sure that you interview two or three lawyers before making a decision which one to retain.
The dignity and stability of government in all its branches, the morals of the people, and every blessing of society depend so much upon an upright and skillful administration of justice, that the judicial power ought to be distinct from both the legislative and executive, and independent upon both, that so it may be a check upon both, and both should be checks upon that. John Adams
If you’re looking for a trial lawyer, ask for recommendations from friends and relatives who have recently served on juries. If you are looking for a real estate lawyer, call a title company and ask them who they use. For a domestic relations lawyer, ask the deputy court clerk in charge of domestic cases. Lawyers are the best source of information about other lawyers. Establish a relationship with a lawyer before a big emergency arises. Ask the lawyer to do some little things for you, like prepare a will, handle a speeding ticket or a residential real estate deal, review a contract, form a closely held corporation, etc. Is he or she responsive, understanding, prompt and able to answer simple questions? Does he or she explain things clearly? Does he or she keep you informed without being asked? If the lawyer doesn’t know the answer, does he or she admit it and then find the answer for you? Then, when you have a big legal problem, you will not have to rush out and interview strangers. You already have someone you can trust. If he or she cannot handle the big matter, he or she can find you the right lawyer who can. Avoid the attorney who is condescending, rude, or allows staff to interrupt. Or someone who avoids answering your basic questions, but instead focuses on you paying a fee immediately?
What about the Yellow Pages or other forms of Advertising?
The Yellow Pages should be your last resort. This is unfortunate, because the Yellow Pages are a convenient reference. It would be unfair to assume, just because a law firm has a big, glossy ad in the Yellow Pages, that it couldn’t handle your problem well. However, the only qualification needed to place a big ad is to be able to pay for it. Some good lawyers advertise heavily, but many other good lawyers advertise sparingly, or not at all. Lawyers who are happy with the size of their firm and get all the work they can handle from referrals by other lawyers and satisfied clients don’t need to advertise.
How about the Internet?
Be very careful here also. Firms pay for placement. Therefore their place on Google, etc, has nothing to do with their reputation, skill or experience. Instead, it relates directly to how much money they are willing to pay. The more they pay the more clients they get. The more clients they get the less time their have to take care of those clients. It is a never ending circle of what eventually becomes greed and complete lack of professionalism.
Can the State Bar Association Help Me?
The State Bar of Arizona has a list of all the attorneys licensed to practice law in Arizona. You can search for attorneys by their name, their area of practice or their geographical area. Their phone number is: 602-252-4804.
Also, Maricopa County Bar Association has a Lawyer Referral Service. Their phone number is 602-257-4200. There is a nominal fee will be charged for an initial meeting. This is not a bad way to get names of several lawyers who are interested in handling your type of case. All the same, any lawyer who joins the bar association and signs up for the referral service can be on the referral list. The Bar Association does not perform screening or rating of the attorneys. As with the Yellow Pages, the listings include attorneys of all skill and experience levels.
If you are looking to retain one of the leading lawyers for the particular type of case, you can ask who are the officers or long-standing members of their criminal law committee, their family law committee, their civil practice committee, their real estate committee, etc. You can also ask for the names of local lawyers who have spoken on various topics at their CLE (Continuing Legal Education) seminars.
What is the Worst Way to Find a Lawyer?
Yes, there is something worse than the Yellow Pages and Internet “pay for placement”. Be aware that it is highly unethical for a lawyer to pay a referral fee, bonus, or kickback for “leads” on new cases. (Depending on state law, a referral fee sometimes may be paid to another lawyer, but there should be disclosure and client consent for any fee-sharing). Some of the profession’s “bad apples” may still engage in the practice of paying “runners” for tips on new clients. So if a stranger (say, an emergency room worker) seems unduly insistent and volunteers that you should see a lawyer, or just happens to have a supply of the lawyer’s cards to give you one, look out! This is not the kind of person who deserves your trust.
The Internet is now ripe with pay for “leads”. If you go to a generic site that advertises a service, but does not have an attorney on the site, that is a leads based service. The attorney pays for placement on the site, pays for each lead and/or pays for leads based on zip codes or other criteria. Again, you have not receiving any type of reference as to the attorney’s ethics, quality of practice or professionalism.
Can I Find a Lawyer Through the Internet?
Often you can – after all you found this site. Many lawyers are active on the Internet- some good and some bad. See AVVO.com as an informal referral service. If you post a message, it’s quite likely that someone who reads it will be able to help, or to give you the name of someone who can. For your message to be most effective, please do the following:
1.) In the subject line for the message header, try to give the state and the nature of your need. Examples: “Need MD Personal Injury Lawyer,” “PA Probate Contest,” “MO Med Mal Specialist.” That way, lawyers in that state will be especially likely to read your message.
2.) In the body of your message, give a brief summary of the situation. But be CAREFUL! This public message will not be privileged, so it’s better not to name names, or make any detailed statements about what happened, particularly if you or your loved one is facing criminal charges. We’ve seen instances where persons posted a detailed message trying to explain why they felt they were being unjustly prosecuted—while admitting every element of the crime!
3.) Also, in the message, spell out the city or town involved. And if any time deadlines are approaching, mention them.
4.) Beware – just because a lawyer answers you does not mean that they are competent or professional. Check their State Bar to make certain there are no Bar Complaints. As for references and determine how long they have been practicing in the area of law you need help with.
How Do I Make an Appointment?
Most lawyers are interested in new clients—I certainly am. When you call for a consultation, you don’t need to give a detailed explanation to whoever answers the phone. Just say that you wanted to speak with the attorney about a new case, and briefly describe what it’s about: an accident, a real estate dispute, writing a will, starting a corporation . . . whatever the case may be.
Some charge a fee for an initial consultation. Others, like this office, do not when it is dealing with questions about bankruptcy. At this initial meeting it is our intention to give you sufficient information to be able to make an informed decision what your next steps will be. Any fee that you paid for this initial consultation is usually deducted from your overall fee for our services. Make sure that you are fully informed as to the cost of any legal services that you request, whether with this firm or any other.
What Should I Bring to the First Meeting?
First, know that even if you don’t end up hiring this lawyer, your communications are privileged. To preserve this privilege, you shouldn’t bring other people to the meeting; if you need someone for moral support or transportation, don’t be upset if the attorney asks them to wait in the reception area.
DO bring all the paperwork you have, including suit papers (if you’ve been sued), insurance policies (if you’ll be making a claim), and any correspondence to or from the other party. Unless you decide to hire this lawyer, take all your papers with you, and let him or her make copies if he or she wants to review something further.
DON’T try to hide unfavorable or embarrassing information. The lawyer needs to know all the facts to protect your interests. What your lawyer does not know CAN hurt you, because such things have a way of coming out at the worst possible time, and your lawyer can’t respond very well if it’s a surprise.
DON’T feel pressured into signing up with the first lawyer you meet. Remember you are hiring someone to do work on your behalf. They are to act as though they are pleased that you want to hire them and you are to feel very comfortable with their honesty, sincerity and their skills as a lawyer.
What Questions Should I Ask?
• What experience do you have with this type of case (how many years; how many cases now, how many in the past)?
• What are the possible outcomes (best/worst case scenarios; how long might it take to resolve?
• How will you let me know what’s going on in the case?
• What can I do to help as the case goes forward? What other information will you need?
• Will anyone else be working on the case?
• Are there alternatives to litigation? Are you comfortable with trying to solve this with arbitration or mediation?
• How will you get paid?
• For hourly fee cases: What is your hourly rate? Can some of the work be delegated to paralegals or junior attorneys? If so, what will their rate be? How often do you send out bills? Do you need an advance retainer (not really necessary to ask this one; the attorney will certainly say so)? If we settle tomorrow, is the balance of the retainer refunded?
• For fixed or flat fee cases: What will be covered by this fee? What about appeals? What if something happens to make the case more complicated?
• For contingency fee cases: What will the percentage be? Will the percentage change depending on how far the case goes? Will you advance expenses? Is your fee figured before or after expenses are deducted? How far are you committed to go (if we lose at trial, will you take an appeal)?
• What about expenses? What kind of expenses do you charge for and how are they calculated? How much do you charge for copies, faxes, etc.?
• Can you give a ballpark estimate on the total fees? Can you put that in writing?
• What will happen if we have a disagreement about the fees?
• Can you give me names and numbers of some of your past clients as references? (For some types of legal matters, such as bankruptcy, divorces or criminal charges, clients’ need for confidentiality might make this impractical).
What Should I Expect From My Attorney Once they Have Been Retained?
Your new attorney has certain obligations to you. The most important is to keep you fully informed as to the status of your case. This means that you should be receiving copies of all documents received in your case. You should also be kept up-to-date on the various process of your particular matter. If you are new to this type of case then ask your attorney to provide you with a written outline of the process, including the terms and the time periods involved. Make sure that there is little or no charge for this information. If the attorney is not able or willing to provide you with this type of outline then you need to find another attorney that is more interested in serving client’s needs. Any attorney who has practiced in a particular area of law for several years already has an outline which details the process.
Ask the attorney what their policies are as to returning phone calls. You are looking for an attorney that will commit to returning all calls the same day they are made, or at least that the attorney’s staff returns the calls. Make sure that your calls are necessary. Ask the staff if someone else can provide you with the information that you are seeking. It is no unusual that the attorney’s staff knows more about the day-to-day status of your case then does the attorney.
WHAT ABOUT DOCUMENT PREPARERS OR PARALEGALS?
What about Document Preparers, Paralegals of Disbarred Lawyers?
Lawsuits against Those Practicing Law Without a License, including Consumer Credit Counseling Schemes.
Diane L. Drain, lawyer, mentor, retired law professor, wife, mother and friend
Out of respect for our clients’ privacy the following comments have been redacted from letters we have received over the last two decades. Our clients include both creditors and debtors in bankruptcy, those involved in trustee’s sales, foreclosures and forcible entry and detainers. At the conclusion of our representation we ask each client to fill out a report card regarding our services. We are please to say that our average grade is an “A”. Personal referrals are gladly provided on request.
Our reputation is built on our client’s trust that we could help them during a very difficult time. Our commitment to each client is to provide them the best guidance we can.
We invite you to read reviews by our clients and other professionals who know Diane, or you are welcome to leave your own review:
Our clients seek our help at time their lives are turned upside down; most are scared and just want a calm nights sleep. Our responsibility is to guide our clients toward that peaceful sleep, but requires hard work. Many of these reviews describe their successful travel to that peaceful life.CLIENT REVIEWS
Client Reviews and Comments - 2017 (July - Dec)
Diane Drain is one of the most incredible attorneys I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. She takes the time necessary with each client to provide expert advice. Her knowledge and patience are a model that every attorney should follow. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to watch her in action. Anytime anyone asks me who they should consult with in regards to a bankruptcy question, I never hesitate to send them her way. Additionally her website is a fantastic reference for both customers and attorneys.
I have called Diane seeking help with a Real Estate issue. Even though my issue does not fall into her area of focus, she kindly gave advice and recommended someone else. I wish I could hire her, as I have been through crook lawyers in the past, who made me pay for advice that was useless, unlike Diane, whose advice was free, generous and to the point.
Diane I just wanted to give you an update on us. We filed bk with you representing us about 7 years ago now. Just wanted you to know we are doing very well. We did listen to you and have no credit card debt to this day. We purchased a home 3 years ago but stayed way under our budget. We bought vehicles but both vehicles are a lot cheaper than what we could have purchased and the one is almost paid off and we have owned it a year. Vehicles are our weakness. We would like to get better in that area.
We have only paid interest on our vehicles and home since we filed. We try to follow Dave Ramsey as much as possible. So paying off everything is our goal. I am doing amazing in real estate now and my husband is still at UPS and doing well.
That was the hardest time in our life and it was rough on our marriage and mental state. We ended up needing counseling 2 years ago for our marriage and our counselor said our problems started 5 years ago and wanted to know what happen then. Well that’s when we filed. I don’t know how people file every 10 years. Thank you for bringing us out of the mess we got ourselves in. We plan on never being in that situation ever again we look at money and credit very differently now. Just wanted to share our story so you can share with others that come in. It is not an easy road to just file bk. Take care and thank you.
Followup from client : please tell people that the first year is hard but after doing a lot of research on how to build our credit by reading bk forums we were able to get back to doing very well. Now we have credit scores in the 740-750 range. So, yes it isn’t the end all, but it isn’t easy either you have to buckle down and not blame each other as well. It happens to more people that the public realizes.
We found ourselves in a financial tsunami 2 yrs ago. No matter how we did things the financial outlook was getting worse and worse. We finally decided we needed to investigate options. Once we found Diane Drains website and started to learn what the process of bankruptcy entailed we felt there could be an answer for us. We made an appoint to speak with Diane and decided this was the path we needed to take. While we were getting our documents in order and other paperwork completed, we became bogged down once again thinking maybe we can try something else, something different. So after delaying almost a year longer in April of 2017 we finally jumped onboard @ 100%. Diane and Jay were great guiding us and making sure we had all the items needed completed. They filed, kept us informed, went to the Trustee’s meeting with us, and kept us inform during the entire process. They made the whole process less painful and manageable. We owe a debt of gratitude for Diane having the wisdom to use her website to promote the education of the bankruptcy process available to everyone. If it had not been for her well thought out website and the detailed information we would have had to take our chances with the process. If you find yourself totally stressed and unsure of how you can repair your financial health, you can rest assured that Diane and Jay will do what is needed to get you through the process. They’ll give you peace of mind once again.
Additional note: 0ne of the things I forgot to put in there was the personal service especially the day of the trustee’s meeting. There were a minimum of 4 people that were meeting their lawyers for the first time. One lawyer asked us twice what our name was. She waited another five minutes and then asked again and I quote ” are you SURE your not the Thomas’s?” I’m pretty sure we know who we are and that is not us.” We thought at the time how odd that was that so many people would not have taken the time to actually meet before hand. Very odd.
Our experience with you as council was so much more comfortable and professional than I expected. You are simply the best. I recommend anyone who has the unfortunate situation of being faced with bankruptcy to seek your service. Thank you, and be blessed.
Very professional Diane and Jay, loved their process was very simple to understand.
Diane and Jay did a fantastic job helping me through the bankruptcy process and making sure I knew what I needed to do and what to expect every step of the way. They were amazing and helped me feel at ease with the process.
My experience with both Diane Drain & Jay have eased my troubled mind! They both were Extra Helpful during this trying time!
I read all of Diane’s messages and she seems to be a very bright and informed woman.
Thanks for all of your help that you provide to people that need your help by your messages.
Client Reviews and Comments - 2017 (Jan - June)
Diane was so professional, knowledgeable, thorough and very kind to work with as she guided me through the extremely emotional process of filing bankruptcy. She was optimistic and positive and always available if I needed to ask questions. Along with her paralegal Jay, an unpleasant experience was turned into a new beginning for me. I know that my bankruptcy case has been handled in the best way possible for my situation, giving me the opportunity to start over. My sincere thanks to Diane and Jay! I am a very satisfied client and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.
Diane and Jay are wonderful people that really went to great lengths to help us out and manage our bankruptcy in order the give us the best chance at financial recovery. Bankruptcy is horribly stressful and they really made it as streamlined as it could have possibly been…I’m not saying I ever want to go through this nightmare again, but if I did I would definitely call Diane.
Everything takes time. Your help was outstanding and I am at the end now. Thank you for your patience. You and Jay get five stars from me!
Diane and Jay were both very helpful and promptly answered questions that came up either via return phone call, email or both. They both were very knowledgeable about the whole process and did a good job keeping us informed of progress and next steps. My wife and I would definitely recommend her services to others.
Absolutely top notch. All my questions were answered. Would definitely recommend this firm to anyone.
I didn’t care for the experience of filing for bankruptcy but it was made enjoyable by the very patient guidance through the process by both you and Jay. Your ability to relate and explain things in a calm, professional manner made the process seem less cold and less stressful. I would highly recommend your firm to anyone who may need bankruptcy advice. K.C.
Five years ago, I was in financial term oil for various reasons and was running scared. I did not know what to do or how how was going to get out of the mess I was under. I avoided answering my phone and opening collection letters like the plague. I didn’t want to admit that I needed legal help. I was stubborn and thought I could handle it….wrong!!! I consulted with two different attorneys and left both feeling like I was just number and not an actual person who needed help. To my good fortune, I then found and consulted with Diane Drain. I felt at ease with her. She listened to me with empathy and understood my situation and reassured me that she would help me and that I was not a failure and that bankruptcy is a legal right to anybody who just needs a fresh financial start. Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a lot of work and takes tremendous discipline but Diane and Jay were with me every step of the way and I will be forever grateful to them for helping me through a very dark time and providing me a guiding and comforting light while I worked toward getting my life back on track. For me, the third time was the charm. Diane and Jay, I thank you so very much for all of your help. You truly are a credit to all you represent and I will not hesitate to refer anybody I know to you should he or she need legal financial advice.
Diane and Jay were amazing! They made everything so easy and answered all of my questions thoroughly. I appreciate all the help and guidance I received throughout my filing experience. I would highly recommend Diane to anyone looking into bankruptcy.
It was such a pleasure working with Diane through this difficult process. Diane is a wonderful attorney who not only knows the bankruptcy law inside and out, but is very compassionate and explains everything in detail through each step of the process. If you are in need of an experienced attorney, who will have your back while you navigate the bankruptcy process, look no further than Diane.
Diane and Jay made sure we were put at ease throughout the process.
My wife and I would like to thank Diane and Jay for their hospitality, thoroughness and patience. With the hard decision of wanting to file bankruptcy, they showed no judgment. It is a lot of work to prepare, but the the Law Office of Diane Drain walks you step by step. We appreciate your help, advice and recommendations as we are more prepared for a better future.
Client and Fellow Lawyer’s Rating
Diane ranks 10.0 out of 10.0 for over all client and her peers rating on AVVO (a site for lawyers).
Over the year we have met and worked with some of the finest attorneys in Arizona. Many of these attorneys have left remarks on AVVO and LinkedIn.PEER REVIEWS
Yes, I would be glad to assist. I have know Diane for several decades, starting in the early 1990’s. We have presented CLE courses together, been opposing counsel, and mutual friends. She shows unequaled integrity, compassion for others, and passion for the law. She is respectful of others including opposing counsel. I’ll give her 10’s on all scales, and highly recommend her to the position she is seeking.
Rex C. Anderson
Diane Drain is a rare gem in the consumer legal field. She is tireless in her advocacy for her clients legal rights. She constantly networks, teaches, and mentors attorneys for the benefit of their clients, and the general community. When it comes to bankruptcy, real estate matters, or other consumer issues, Diane is prepared to represent her client needs in the most compassionate and professional way. Anyone looking to solve a real estate or financial problem needs to look no further for the best attorney in Arizona to assist their needs, and to guide them safely through to a brighter future and new hope. Diane is the attorney every lawyer should aspire to be in the way she benefits her clients, other attorney’s clients, members of the State Bar of Arizona, and all citizens of the State of Arizona. I could go on for hours about Diane, but I don’t need to. Schedule an appointment with Diane and you will immediately know what I am trying to say from the minute you meet her.
Diane is truly one of the preeminent lawyers in Arizona. Her knowledge of real estate and bankruptcy matters is vast. She has tirelessly and unselfishly devoted a considerable amount of her own time in assisting others, and working to improve the bankruptcy system. I highly recommend and endorse her.
I have known Diane for more than 8 years and she continuously impresses me with not only her knowledge, but also her desire to pour into other lawyers in the community. I have seen her assist the community in many different volunteer capacities, most especially including the Self Help Center of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Phoenix. She is a true asset to the legal community and I am grateful that I am able to call her a friend and mentor.
Although she likely won’t recall this Ms. Drain took time to answer a young attorneys questions about representing debtors and creditors; that attorney was me and the advice was extremely helpful. The advice she gives is always thoughtful and sound. I strongly endorse this attorney.
Diane is a dedicated individual that to gives without measure to her community. It is has been my honor to know Diane for the past ten years. She is committed to the service of individuals in financial straights. To know Diane is to know a caring, committed professional. She has the abilities and the compassion to represent her Clients’ needs. I recommend Diane without reservation.
I wholeheartedly endorse Ms. Drain as a bankruptcy practitioner. She is, at all times, a conscientious and caring professional. Diane is one of those attorneys to whom I refer clients with total confidence that their legal needs will be well handled, and that the client will receive the personal attention they deserve. I have worked with Diane over the last 20 years, and know her to be very well informed in law generally and specifically in Bankruptcy. She is on top of all current issues and technology. She lectures in law regularly, including as an adjunct professor at Phoenix School of Law. Diane serves on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Arizona, and has participated in numerous committees and sections of the State Bar and other professional organizations.
I have known Diane for many years, and she is a great contributor and asset to our community of bankruptcy practitioners. Simply stated, Diane is great at what she does. That’s why I am so comfortable referring work to her.
Client Reviews and Comments - 2016 (July - Dec)
Again, thank you. You made this unpleasant experience very calming and reassuring for both me and my wife.
This was a real learning experience! Every time I met with Diane I learned new things. Each visit I became calmer about the situation because it was a big step in getting my life back in order. The educational experience was awesome!
Nothing short of excellent,
Diane – you are nothing short of excellent! From the first hello, how can I help you- to congratulations, your discharge has been entered, you were superb! Patient, understanding, compassionate, kind, considerate, knowledgeable, highly-skilled expert are a few words that come to mind when I think about you. Superior quality and service. Although a difficult situation, it has been truly “our pleasure” working with you and Jay. We always talk about what an excellent attorney we have and gladly share your information. You also educated us on many issues we were unaware of so that we will never be in this situation again. Words cannot express our gratitude and we thank God everyday to have found you.
An expert who gets the job done!
We hired Diane Drain to handle a complicated eviction / Lift of Stay on a tenant who filed bankruptcy. Not only did she answer my multitude of questions in a timely manner, she knows her way around the Bankruptcy Court. Her years of practicing law give her an edge over many novices and it is very apparent that she is well respected in the court system. I think Diane Drain is the best Bankruptcy lawyer out there. –
You truly are amazing – we can never thank you enough for your hard work, concern and professionalism. I knew from my initial phone call to you that I was very lucky to have found you.
Diane, Thank you so much! You did a fantastic job and made this complex process so easy to understand. As you know I interviewed a different Attorney first. I’m so happy I choose you! You are by far the most informed person on this subject here in Phoenix! Thank you so much!
Great attorney
I live in Las Vegas and had a legal matter involving bankruptcy. My attorney in Las Vegas informed me that I would need an attorney from Arizona since the claim was filed in Arizona. I knew no one so went online and searched for Arizona attorneys. No one had better reviews than D.L. Drain
I cannot praise this attorney enough. She was very pleasant, knowledgeable and informative.
I would definitely recommend her to anyone.
Diane was extremely thorough and educated me on my responsibilities and how to be proactive in order to make this life changing event a little easier to deal with. She was very to the point and quick to respond to my queries and concerns.
Diane and Jay were great to work with. They were very understanding of our situation.
Diane and Jay were amazing to work with throughout the process of filing bankruptcy. They provided all of the information needed to make an informed decision.
I have just recently received my Chapter 7 Discharge of Debtor from the US Bankruptcy Court and I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to Ms. Drain for the excellent work and support that she provided me during my bankruptcy. From the abundant information on her website, to the answering of all of my questions, she turned a personally upsetting situation into a bearable journey. No matter what my questions were or how many questions I had, she took the time to patiently answer them in a timely manner, whether in-person or by email. She also explained them in a way that was easy to be understood, and if not, took the time to answer them again until I was able to fully comprehend the answer. Finally, when I was asked a tough question at the Meeting of Creditors by the Bankruptcy Trustee and I didn’t answer in the best fashion, she was there to provide the necessary simple response that clarified my situation such that the Trustee had no further questions. I was extremely fortunate and blessed that I obtained her as my legal counsel and I would highly recommend her to anyone considering bankruptcy.
Thank you again Ms. Drain! Five out of five stars.
“I met Diane Drain at a professional seminar where she was a guest speaker and was most impressed with her legal knowledge and her willingness to answer questions following the seminar and later by phone for follow up questions.
When our health and business reversals made declaring bankruptcy our only option, Diane Drain was our first and only choice for our bankruptcy attorney. From the moment we talked with Diane on the phone, she put us at ease with her understanding about our situation and was very supportive. She explained over the phone before we met the overall bankruptcy process, our options, what was expected of us, her role, her fee, court costs, time frames and answered our questions. It was an immediate partnership and she was all in to help us. What a relief we felt immediately!
Once we gathered our initial documentation with a lot of Jay’s patient guidance, we met with Diane, signed paperwork and waited for our court date. Diane kept us updated on where we were in the process, answered questions and met us at the courthouse for the Trustee’s hearing.
Thank you, Diane and Jay for all you did for us to get our lives back on track and your support along the way.”
My husband and I needed to file for bankruptcy and a member of our church highly recommended Diane Drain. We could not have gotten a more knowledgeable and genuinely caring lawyer than Diane. She helped us with every step to make sure we were well informed of the needed forms,procedures and information that was required. It was a stressful time for us,however, Diane was always very reassuring. Thank you.Diane, for your thoughtful ways in getting us through the bankruptcy Sincerely and most Grateful.
Finally, an attorney that is honest, informative and doesn’t have a hidden agenda! Diane was unbiased, informative and basically pleasant to speak with! She made us feel very comfortable when asking questions and answered our questions with our best interest in mind. I will recommend Ms. Drain to anyone that is in need of her services. She proved to be knowledgeable, intelligent and professional! D&M I
Diane, Thank you so much! You did a fantastic job and made this complex process so easy to understand. As you know I interviewed a different Attorney first. I’m so happy I chose you! You are by far the most informed person on this subject here in Phoenix! Thank you so much!
Going thru CH13 was a huge and difficult decision for us. Both Diane and Jay were very patient. Took time to explain everything. They were receptive, understanding and helpful thru the entire process. As you can imagine we had many questions during the 5 year process but they were always quick to respond. I would recommend them highly.
I live in Las Vegas and had a legal matter involving bankruptcy. My attorney in Las Vegas informed me that I would need an attorney from Arizona since the claim was filed in Arizona. I knew no one so went online and searched. No one had better reviews than D.L. Drain. I cannot praise this attorney enough. She was very pleasant, knowledgeable and informative. I would definitely recommend her to anyone.
Simply put, Ms. Diane Drain knows her stuff and you certainly want somebody of her caliber in your corner when the chips are down. It is a great privilege and a greater comfort to have her in mine. I have made some bad choices along the path of life as most of us do. Its all part of life’s lesson. However, the choice I made to select her as my attorney was no doubt one of the best decisions of my life to this point. Call her…call her now and get control of your life back…I did!!! I promise you will not be disappointed. Thank you Diane and thank you Jay !!!!
Thank you for your caring and professionalism with my case.
You are the best!
My experience was great! Diane was very professional and dedicated to helping me with everything I needed. Outstanding! I would recommend her firm to my friends.
We were extremely pleased with the quality and level of support you and Jay provided. We had shopped around a bit before contacting you and once we did the comparison with other attorneys and bankruptcy “mills” was extremely and significantly positive.
Diane Drain and her staff have guided us through the rough terrain of a bankruptcy. From the beginning of this process,to an end that is quite near, Ms. Drain has provided the highest level of expertise. Her extensive knowledge of bankruptcy law has helped us immeasurably. Communicating with her and her staff has always been easy, swift and the information that is conveyed is very clear and put in layman’s terms. She will explain things as many times as she needs to with a good dose of patience. Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 4.8 out of 5.0
Client Reviews and Comments - 2016 (Jan - June)
Diane is a first CUSTOMER that I’m leaving a review for… As her IT consultant, Diane proves to us weekly that she is a capable, responsible, honest and hard working woman! Diane’s care of her customers, their security, her professionalism towards them and what she does to keep up with technology and security, is above any other lawyer we’ve worked with! Diane’s contribution to the attorney community in Arizona is a fresh breath of greatness, and the fact that she’s been practicing law and helping so many lawyers grow, tells us she’s the last person to quit, and the first person to help. Thanks to Diane, we have made lots of connections with the legal industry, the state bar, lawyers and firms in Arizona and out. She’s an honest, professional and “easy going” down to earth lady…
The absolute best Bankruptcy Attorney. 5.0 stars Diane and Jay were wonderful. I really appreciated their genuine compassion. I hired the absolute best for a fair price. Diane has an absolute mastery of the law and she explains everything in a easy to understand style. She will not only answer every question in detail, she will ask you questions to be sure that you understand all the content and details. You get the absolute best counsel money can buy, which is very comforting during such a drastic life event. I highly recommend Diane and her staff without any reservation.
Diane did a great job handling our bankruptcy. She kept us informed throughout the process and always responded to calls & emails. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering bankruptcy.
Diane and Jay did an excellent job and my wife and I could not be happier. She was able to help us keep the assets that were important to our family and answered our questions along the way. Very knowledgeable and professional. Diane came very highly recommended to us by a long time family friend who is also an attorney. Would not hesitate to recommend their services.
To file bk was a very hard decision to have to make. I felt like a failure. In my early 20’s my husband and I bought a home and financed it using an arm loan. Long story short…we trusted a lot of people we shouldn’t have. We thought we were asking all the right questions, but there was so much we didn’t know. The economy tanked about the time our arm adjusted and our monthly payment skyrocketed. We worked with the lender for months to get a modification, just to be put back into another arm loan with a higher payment. After a year on the modification we realized we were back in the same place we were previously….arm loan set to adjust during a recession. So we decided to short sale. It felt like the right thing to do. Just up and walking away from the home seemed so dishonest. The first and second mortgage would both make money off the short sale and we would sleep at night knowing we did as much as we could right in a bad situation. Wrong! Another thing we learned the hard way is that the 2nd mortgage can, and will, agree to a settlement and then sue you for the rest. We tried, and TRIED, to work out a payment plan with them, but they refused. They wanted all or nothing. That’s when I went looking for an attorney and found Diane. On a personal and professional level I couldn’t have dreamt of a better person to be on my side. She knows the law and wants us to know the law. She was concerned about our future financial welfare. My experience with her was not- pay a fee, file, and good luck. My experience with her was that of a protective loving mentor. She wants people to succeed in life and gives you the tools to do so. I can’t recommend her enough and will be forever grateful for finding her!
Your process and approach are clear, comprehensive, and thoughtful. You treated us with the utmost respect and left no stone unturned in helping us to sort through and make appropriate decisions from our first meeting through the final phase of the process. In fact, your process alone is more than worth your fee. The quality and extensive documentation, Q&A, plus your anticipation of potential challenges and roadblocks were especially complete and helpful.
But it is your personal style, commitment to upholding the detailed level of review required to ensure client fulfillment of obligations under this difficult and complex process, and your willingness to patiently review topics, as well as your willingness to really listen and respond forthrightly to our questions and “special circumstances” that probably every client has that really stands out to us. As a couple who have never before experienced the kind of setbacks that ultimately led us to the decision to file Chapter 7 you focused on our case, did not treat us as a “cookie cutter” case and helped us navigate the process in a way that preserved dignity and focused on a successful outcome. We are most grateful for your and Jay’s professional approach and your commitment to providing outstanding support that we will always remember.
My very sincere and heartfelt thanks. I am so very glad that I came across your site as I was educating myself on the situation and that I didn’t go with the first attorney I spoke to. You made this process as painless as it can be and although I’m sorry I had to do it, I am now at peace with what is done and don’t think I could have had a better experience. You are very good at what you do. I wish you continued success in helping your clients.
Diane made this whole process a lot less scary and answered all my questions in a way that made me feel like this really wasn’t the end of the world for me. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering their options to file for bankruptcy.
As difficult as this entire process was emotionally and physically bringing everything together my experience with you has been amazing and much easier than I thought it would be thank you for all of your help.
I was extremely pleased by the professionalism and care that I was handled with. I will recommend you to everyone I know that can use the expert help that you provided.
Diane, Thank you for the good news and for being nothing less than a “stellar” legal representative, a great and understanding sounding board for me during a most difficult and emotional time period, and a most patient person with all my various questions. Say thanks also to Jay for me, he was also of great assistance in the documentation process and in answering procedural process questions regarding the required documentation needed to complete the file for submission.
Ms. Drain helped make a very difficult time more bearable. She treated us with the utmost respect and caring while pushing us to get together the paperwork needed to get us to the best possible end result. It was very obvious that her peers held her in high esteem. I even had another attorney tell me we had one of the best attorneys out there. I would highly recommend her to anyone in need of her services. Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0
Experienced and excellent. 5.0 stars
Diane did a tremendous job preparing me for my bankruptcy. She educated me thoroughly about the process and stressed the importance of following all the steps as concisely as possible. Her rates are very reasonable, and I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Thank you for your wonderful services – consider, fast, friendly, and very professional. You took care of one of my headaches, I owe you a million! It will be a privilege to recommend you to other clients.
I had one of the best experiences walking into Diane Drain office. She helped me through my worst and I can’t not thank her enough. She is a very Knowledgeable, Experienced, and Dedicated to her profession! Thank you for a new start in my life!
My wife and I had several questions and concerns regarding our home and a second mortgage which the lender is unwilling to work with us. After jumping through numerous hoops and an endless paper trails we were denied a loan modification. After sitting down with Diane and going over all our options, it was clear to us what our next strategy was to be dealing with our situation. She was honest and upfront with us and really knows her subject matter. All of our questions were answered and if anything arises in the future(and it probably will) she stresses please don’t hesitate to call her. We strongly suggest if you in the market for an attorney to deal with your legal matters you reach out to Diane-we were not disappointed.
Diane and her team were true professionals throughout our bankruptcy process. My husband and I did extensive research when choosing an attorney and the information we received on Diane was positive and she was also less expensive than many of the other attorneys we contacted.It was a very emotional time for my husband and myself, we never thought we would be in the position we found ourselves.We would definitely recommend her to anyone who is in the unfortunate situation of filing bankrupt. Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0
Diane was efficient and effective in handling my case. She has made herself available whenever a question arose. Her interface with the trustee allowed me sufficient time to allow an expedited discharge. Her office has provided an open door for any future issues that have arisen. An excellent attorney!! Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0
Client Rating
Ms. Drain ranks 5.0 out of 5.0 for over all client rating on Martindale Hubbell (a site for lawyers).
Client Reviews and Comments - 2015 (July - Dec)
If you are reading this; you probably need the services of a bankruptcy attorney and you’re worried and maybe a little frightened of the entire process and it’s impact on your life. Please trust us when we tell you that Diane is the resource you need. We will never forget what she did for us in time of need. There are Angels in disguise out there – we know that now.
5 Star service and representation from Diane and Jay. Extremely competent representation and explanations of the legal process and how to prepare for the filing. True compassion shown to those going through a very difficult time in their lives. Diane is obviously respected by the bankruptcy attorney legal community and I can recommend her services without any reservation.
I’ve been in the legal field for over 25 years (as a legal secretary and paralegal) and Diane is a top notch attorney. She knows the ins and outs of this area of law and does a really great job of explaining each and every step in layman’s terms. It’s a scary time when you come to the decision that you need to file for bankruptcy, but Diane put us at ease and we felt very comfortable with her. Her assistant, Jay, is a great resource and was always available to answer any question that we had. We would definitely recommend her!
Diane is great. After looking around for an attorney, I couldn’t be anymore happier with my decision of going with her. She answered all of my questions and took her time with me. Very motherly and straight forward. It’s very hard to find an attorney that treats you with respect and is very straight forward. Honesty is key in these situations, and she has it. Thank you Diane for helping us!
The best! Very professional, patient and kind. We hope we never are the position to use her again. But if you do she is the one to go to!
Diane Drain is really knowledgeable. She helped us tremendously in our bankruptcy case. We are thankful for all she did for us!
I was greatly relieved to find an attorney that I felt completely at ease with, confident in her professionalism and her staff; and to find someone I felt I could trust completely.
Diane was a the best choice we could have made when choosing our legal counsel. She is as much a teacher as a lawyer, always patient and willing to answer any questions no matter how small. She was very thorough, making sure an already stressful situation did not become worse. She put us at ease immediately. Thanks Diane!
My wife and I would highly recommend Diane Drain to any one who is considering bankruptcy. She handled our case professionally and in a very timely manner. Diane and her team made a long, frustrating process pretty painless. Thank you Diane!!
Overall grade for help received from Diane and her staff – 110%. Now I can breath and it is thanks to Diane.
Thank you. It was a pleasure and privilege to be your client. I am continually grateful that I was led to you to help me through my bankruptcy process. You are truly the best of the best and it would be a welcome honor to share my most wonderful and painless experience I had with you as my guide and wise counsel with anyone at any time. I have never read directions and followed rules more thoroughly in my life, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your master-planned website and life experience in this profession to make sure I remained educated and on track throughout. For your guidance, infinite knowledge and wisdom, professional-counsel and encouragement, I am most grateful. I sing your and Jay’s praises from the rooftops for the array of help and guidance I received.
I can’t tell you how glad I am that you were our bankruptcy attorney. You helped me in many ways and I am very grateful. Most of all, I appreciate your frankness and honesty. You always took the extra time to explain everything very thoroughly. You were always “up front” about everything. This was a VERY difficult time for me. Through your kindness and expertise you made it much more bearable for me.
I will never forget what you’ve done for me. You were brilliant!
Thank you.
My wife and I would highly recommend Diane Drain to any one who is considering bankruptcy. She handled our case professionally and in a very timely manner. Diane and her team made a long, frustrating process pretty painless. Thank you Diane!!
When I was looking for a bankruptcy attorney, the U.S. Courts’ website had some Phoenix attorney’s listed. I visited one in person and the then read Ms. Drain’s site. The in-person attorney gave me a 2 inch stack of papers to fill out, but this would cost me $1000 more than Ms. Drain’s fee. Ms. Drain’s website is incredibly informative, so I chose her and submitted all information online. I found her to be very caring and compassionate. Her process was very efficient, detail-oriented and smooth. Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0
Client Reviews and Comments - 2015 (Jan - June)
After a divorce I found myself in a situation where I needed to file bankruptcy. I hired Diane and could not be more pleased. Thank you so much for all your hard work on my case. I appreciate all your support and compassion through a very difficult process.
Thank you so much for all your hard work on my case. I appreciate all your support and compassion through a very difficult process.
Diane and Jay were very patient with us in explaining every important detail involved in our case which helped ease the anxiety that sometimes came when we felt unsure about certain questions, Thank you.
You made an unexpected, uncomfortable experience easy to get thru and recover and move on in our lives!. Thank – you are the best.
Dearest Diane & Jay, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to express what a great honor it was to have you represent us in our bankruptcy. We are sneaking up on our third anniversary of that bankruptcy. I can’t tell you how many times J & I look at each other and say how glad we are that we went thru w/ it. It truly has changed our lives. All is well w/ our family. J was laid off at the end of May, but w/o that huge debt weighing us down we are surviving! Both younger kids are full time students & we couldn’t be more excited about that.
Hope all is well w/ you two.
We cannot thank you enough for helping us through this difficult and embarrassing situation. After our first phone conversation I had no doubt you would be able to help us and that you actually cared about our situation. So many larger firms treat clients as if they were in an assembly line. You r willingness to answer and and all of our questions immediately put my mind at east. The only comment I have is that you should raise your rates. Your fees are extremely reasonable and your personal attention to our issues is worth double what we paid.
Just a quick note to say Thank You! We received our discharge paperwork this week and it has been a huge burden lifted off of our shoulders. I want to thank you for your total professionalism and the manner in which you treated us as clients….we never once felt judged for the position that we were in. Instead, we felt that you had a genuine concern for us as clients and that one of your goals is to insure that we were educated on the process and what our options were from the start. You were the main catalyst that made a very emotionally draining time very bearable and helped us to see the light at the end of a very long dark tunnel.
*Diane Drain and her staff have guided us through the rough terrain of a bankruptcy. From the beginning of this process, to an end that is quite near, Ms. Drain has provided the highest level of expertise. Her extensive knowledge of bankruptcy law has helped us immeasurably. Communicating with her and her staff has always been easy, swift and the information that is conveyed is very clear and put in layman’s terms. She will explain things as many times as she needs to with a good dose of patience. She helped us to pick up the pieces of our lives and to maintain our dignity while doing so. We cannot say enough wonderful things about this gem of an attorney.
When I made my decision to file for bankruptcy I did some research. I went through a link on the U.S. court website and read a lot online. Referrals from the court website didn’t include many local lawyers who were willing to list their fees. Not all the lawyers listed gave their fees but Ms. Drain did. Her fee was in the ballpark for me – not the very lowest and not the highest. I visited a few attorneys and they would give me a pile of papers to fill out and then their staff would input the information for an extra $1000! Who needs that, when I’m just as capable, or more, to enter my own information. When I then compared websites and saw Ms. Drain’s I immediately knew I was in the right place – in that her site has so much information about bankruptcy etc. with history, stories, financial information. It was clear she cared and was committed to helping people in financial distress. She is clearly a teacher. I especially liked her personal, caring tone -that showed compassion – in writing and in person – not the normal thing you think of with attorneys! I was able to do the process almost entirely online – which made it quick and easy for me. Yes, you have to get all your details together at home – but that’s not hard. I think by having to enter all the information and with quick responses to questions from Ms. Drain’s associate it was a way for me to take responsibility for the process and thus feel better about it in the end. They were very responsive, efficient, and most of all caring which made the process go quickly and feel good. I’m now heartened, and not cynical, about my experience with an attorney.
When my wife and I first considered bankruptcy we contacted one of the TV advertised law firms that specializes in bankruptcy law. On our appointment we met a group of the most inept people I have ever met. It was exactly the same as trying to buy a used car on Van Buren.
Later I told a friend of our experience and I said I don’t want to file a bankruptcy and deal with “that” kind of people. He quickly corrected my thinking and recommended The Law Office of Diane Drain.
On my first visit it was a pleasure to have someone explain the process so thoroughly. Mrs. Drain is very direct and clear on required documentation and what was required by us. We followed her instructions to the letter and the whole process went very smoothly.
In my 65 years I have dealt with a lot of people in the corporate world and I feel Mrs. Drain and her staff offer integrity and professionalism second to none.
The best professional relationship that I have had with an attorney (I’ve had more than my share of their services!)_I was treated with respect and all things were timely, correct, and according to plan. Thank you
Client Reviews and Comments - 2014
I asked Ms. Drain to help me with a bankruptcy. When I first called I was scared, afraid to answer my phone and worried that my wages were about to be garnished. Ms. Drain was caring, professional and committed to making sure that I fully understood the bankruptcy process. She assured me that the law was designed to protect me. The process was complicated, but she always was available to help me with any questions. I have friends who hired Phillips and Associates to file their bankruptcy. Because of the education Ms. Drain provided me, I was explaining the bankruptcy process to my friends because their own attorneys would not take their calls.
I wish all attorneys treated their clients the way that Ms. Drain and Jay treated me. I have referred my mother and a friend at work. They both think that Ms. Drain is the best attorney they ever talked to. She even answers her own phone.
EXCESS SALE PROCEEDS: P. and I would like to thank you both, especially you Jay, for all the work you did in obtaining our Excess Funds check today. You somehow managed to get this done between January and June and I know how persistent you were. P. and I would like you to know that you can use us a a referral for Excess Funds clients anytime you need to. We were very impressed with what you did and the knowledge you had in getting the job done. It didn’t take me long to realize there are a lot of swindlers out there offering to do the same thing, but when I talked to you back in December, 2013 Diane, and had read your many articles on Excess Funds, I really felt I could trust you. That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and we will always be grateful for how you’ve helped us. When you’ve had to walk away from the home you love, being able to secure the Excess Funds through a firm you can trust makes all the difference in the world. Great job!
We filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy and the whole process went very smoothly from beginning to end. This was thanks to Ms. Drain who was caring, professional and committed to making sure that we fully understood the bankruptcy process. She kept our best interest in mind at all times. We will definitely recommend Ms. Drain for anyone’s bankruptcy filing.
Filing for Bankruptcy is a huge decision, yet Diane’s knowledge of the laws from her years of experience make it far less daunting. My wife and I would recommend Diane to anyone who is thinking of filing or ready to do so.
Filing bankruptcy was not an easy decision but Diane made the whole process very easy and understandable. As a client you have a lot of control as to your personal outcome. Be diligent, do the homework, and complete all the information (and there is a lot of it) as requested. At age 60, this was the last place my wife and I expected to be at this time in our lives, but Diane was very concerned and compassionate and didn’t make us feel like failures in life. We made mistakes but thanks to Diane we are already on the road to a better future. Recommended without any reservations.
Thanks Diane!
We were amazed at how accessible Diane was. Weekdays or weekends at all times of the day it didn’t matter. She was quick to respond to our questions or needs. In short Diane did a great job for us and in record time. If the need arises we will certainly work with here again and not hesitate to recommend her to others.
“When I was looking for a bankruptcy attorney, I visited four large and small firms. Diane Drain was the most informative. I appreciated her very educational website and was prepared with questions when we met. I found her to be the most forthright, with information about the process, and her’s, seemed to be the most efficient. I input the information online and then received timely help from her office when needed. So the process went smoothly and quickly as a result.”
Filing bankruptcy was a very difficult choice and experience. But, Diane and Jay were very knowledgeable, professional and supportive throughout the process. Your team made the honor roll in a perfect grade.
About 10 years ago you represented me in my bankruptcy and you were wonderful.
I have referred a number of people to you, though I fear some of them did not have the ovaries for the follow through.
I have followed your advice, and that contained in the information you gave, me and am proud to say my credit rating is approaching the mid- 700s and one of my creditors, USAA Federal Bank, actually re-issued me a credit card. I have done better than I ever expected and believe that much of my success is due to the thorough and respectful manner in which you led me through the process.
Thank you so so much for all your help and understanding. Especially in the beginning when I had so many questions and you were so very patient with me. I felt that you were very upfront about everything, letting me know what to expect at every step on the process. Even more important, I felt that you truly care about your clients and work hard to ensure that you give the best advice. Now I can finally breathe easy and deep again. Even though the circumstances that led me to you were somewhat out of my control, I have still learned so much and I thank you for that!
I wish that I did not have to file for bankruptcy protection; nevertheless, having to go through the process I am glad that Diane was the person to lead me through it. Diane definitely gets an A+ for all the guidance and empathy that she gave to me as a client.
Diane – thank you for helping me keep my car and some self respect. This was so hard to do. I did feel a sense of relief once I saw you and we actually were ready to file.
Words cannot express the gratitude we have for you! Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0.
Diane is very compassionate and comforting. She made a very difficult process much easier for us. Rate Ms. Drain’s services: 5.0 out of 5.0
This attorney educates clients on the bankruptcy process and helps them correctly complete the steps needed to reach the end of the process in a timely manner. She is thorough, professional and compassionate.
Client Reviews and Comments - 2013
She and her team are responsive, knowledgeable, efficient, trustworthy, good communicators, detail-oriented, well-connected, caring and compassionate. They provided a balance of head and heart combined with expertise and appropriate action to get it done. Being a well-established lawyer, when issues came up that were not directly in her area of expertise, we received excellent referrals. The process was smooth and easy. Not a single problem with our experience. Everything was positive.
It became necessary for me to file bankruptcy in earlier this year. While I was contemplating that action, I interviewed with several attorneys to determine their attitudes and work habits. In all but one I felt that the attorneys were far too impersonal and lacked the sensitivity that was displayed by Ms. Drain. Taking bankruptcy is not a very pleasant situation and, had I not had such a fine attorney as Ms. Drain, I would have been extremely distraught. Obviously, I would not hesitate to recommend Mr. Drain to anyone that found themselves in a predicament and needed legal advice.
We were forced to file for bankruptcy about three years ago. We had no idea if we should use an attorney or what attorney to use. After contacting one attorney we quickly realized we might know more than him about the procedure. A realtor acquaintance of ours then recommended Diane Drain, who he had used in a bankruptcy filing. Diane led us through the procedure and helped us avoid numerous pitfalls. Her leadership was superb including starting the procedure, the filing, the hearing in court and numerous issues along the way. We recommend Diane Drain without reservation.
Diane and Jay helped my wife and I get past a difficult chapter in our lives. They are experienced and professional. They answered all our questions and gave us excellent advice. We followed there directions from start to finish and the process was smooth. We are very happy we met Diane and Jay. Thank you.
As a single mother of two college sons, one can imagine, how difficult it was to explain to my sons that my finances between home, college and building past debt had me making the heartbreaking choice of filing bankruptcy. A dear friend recommended Diane to me. She was professional and spent hours during this process guiding me patiently through this somewhat complicated and tedious experience. She always returned my calls promptly, she stayed by my side during the court proceedings, but mostly she kept reassuring me that I would eventually be okay and begin again. It could have been a humiliating experience and Diane made sure that it was not. I give her Five Stars for the work she does. Thank you Diane.
If there is more than 5 stars, I would Jump to give the highest possible rating to attorney Diane Drain. Before I called Diane, we did our own research, read everything on their web site, we liked what we read and called Diane’s office. Diane spent more than 1 and 1/2 hours on the initial consultation alone. Our chapter 7 is a bit more complicated but Diane made everything so easy to go through the process and Jay is also equally, extremely helpful to get the information into the electronic format, on time. When we needed any clarification they both were there to pick the phone and guide us through. I consider Diane is a God sent to us and I told her too. Both Diane and Jay are extremely professional, kind, considerate and down right genuine. Because of Diane’s experience and knowledge on legal matters, she will let you know what to expect right away. We are fortunate and blessed to meet them, in the time of our need. Thank you Diane and Jay!
Diane Drain and her staff are exceptionally knowledgeable, professional, and responsive. Diane guided and supported me throughout the challenges of bankruptcy in a very supportive and respectful manner. Diane has earned my trust, recommendation, and highest regard.
*Diane helped me retain my dignity during a very uncomfortable time. I am very grateful.
I want to express my appreciation to you and your assistant Jay for all your hard work. I can not imagine being treated with more professionalism and respect that you did. Going to the entire bankruptcy process was not a easy task for my and my family but you provided us with valuable counseling while explaining the law, you answered all our questions in a timely manner and you kept us informed at all times of how the process is going. You are not only a competent and experienced lawyer but also one of those fine individuals who takes pride in their profession while serving others. I will recommend you with any opportunity I might have in the future.
Client Reviews and Comments - 2010-2012
Diane helped my husband and me get past a difficult chapter in our lives. She answered all our questions and gave us excellent advice. We followed her directions from start to finish and the process went smoothly. Having Diane in our corner, an experienced professional with a wealth of knowledge, turned out to be the best decision we could make. We are very happy we were referred to Diane for assistance.
If only you knew how much you changed our lives. I can sleep through the nite, answer my phone and door without worrying who would be on the other side. Bankruptcy was not an easy choice (you understand :0-). You and Jay were so patient!! You never seem to tire of my constant questions. You were our savoir and mentor. Five stars.
I thought lawyers were all greedy. You made sure we could afford your fees which allowed us to keep our car. There will never be a way to repay all you did for us.
Diane and Jay are a wonderful team. Efficiency and clarity were the hallmark of our experience.
I know that you are acutely aware of how deeply emotional and draining financial problems are. You took the time to talk with me about our foreclosure and 2nd mortgage. You allowed me to be human and treated me with dignity. Thank you for your time, expertise, and kindness.
We were extremely pleased with the quality and level of support you and Jay provided. We had shopped around a bit before contacting you and once we did the comparison with other attorneys and bankruptcy “mills” was extremely and significantly positive.
*I never felt ashamed about my decision because you were so kind to me about my situation. I thank you for you kindness and compassion as I struggled with my decision. I also thank you for your integrity for allowing me to move the processes as slowly as I did and not charging me any additional fee’s! Thank you for everything Diane and Jay! Thank you for the tissues as I cried about my life… and you were kind enough to listen. Your guidance and support is the only thing that kept me from loosing my mind through this very stressful and confusing process. Not once did you ever make me feel stupid because I didn’t understand the process. You are appreciated greatly!
Thanks for your professional and compassionate treatment of B. and myself. It was a pleasure working with you. As you are well aware, this was a very trying and sometimes painful 6 months but you helped us get through it. Having just filed at the beginning of 2012 we are already reaping the benefits of our bankruptcy. Our credit score is already climbing into the GOOD to FAIR range. Thank Jay for all of his help also. Forever grateful
We were very apprehensive and stressed out at the thought of having to go through such a difficult process. From our first meeting with Diane Drain it was clear that we would not have to go through this alone! Immediately we felt a huge sense of relief. We were led step by step as to what would need to be done and when. When we did have a question or concern she responded right away.We never had to call more than once. We were treated with the utmost care and respect. Many years ago I had been a victim of an attorney who treated me insultingly, never explained anything and did not return my calls. I was left alone to try and resolve things on my own and it was extremely stressful. Our experience this time was completely different. We cannot thank her enough!
Thank you so much for your assistance with this. It’s nice to see that not everyone treats bankruptcy filers as lepers. I was afraid that filing was going to be a huge and embarrassing hurdle to overcome and thanks to you, it wasn’t nearly the horror I had imagined. Thank you so much for your understanding and help! You’ve helped restore my thinking that not all attorneys’ are terrible and could care less about their clients.
Diane – thank you very much for all of your help. I do not know what I would have done if I had not found you. Every other attorney I talked to was so cold and uncaring. You helped me understand what was happening in my bankruptcy. Thanks again.
You were wonderful – Thank you so much. I am so glad that my son went to your seminar and found you.
Diane, you were the ultimate in legal professional representation. Thank you forever for all you did.
Client Reviews and Comments - 2000-2010
Thank you so much for your help. I feel very good about my decision and I’m so very glad I chose you to represent me.
I do appreciate your kindness in helping us through this tedious process.
Thank you once again for your incredible knowledge and persistence with these people. Ever since we have done the filing, I feel better mentally and physically, just like you said I would.
In our eyes you are all A’s. You helped us so much. We are thankful for you and all your help. You are a caring person, and most understanding. You took time for us at a time that was very hard. We haven’t got to where we were before everything broke loose and we may never. But we are thankful for you.
Diane helped my husband and me get past a difficult chapter in our lives. She answered all our questions and gave us excellent advice. We followed her directions from start to finish and the process went smoothly. Having Diane in our corner, an experienced professional with a wealth of knowledge, turned out to be the best decision we could make. We are very happy we were referred to Diane for assistance.
Thank you for helping us through such a difficult time. You patience and expertise was comforting and we knew that we were in very good hands.
I thought lawyers were all greedy. You made sure we could afford your fees which allowed us to keep our car. There will never be a way to repay all you did for us.
I first met Diane Drain in September 2008 when she agreed to represent me in my Bankruptcy filing. It was a difficult decision for me as I had always had outstanding credit and prided myself on being responsible and trustworthy. But, with my marriage of 30 years ending, the housing market sliding (I was upside down in the home), I had spent most of my savings and resources just to keep my head above water and then, I started sinking financially into a bottomless pit of debt. Bankruptcy was the best solution for me and that was a hard realization. Diane Drain handled my case with a wealth of knowledge and expertise. She kept me informed in all aspects of the case as it moved through the Court system. My Bankruptcy was discharged in Jan 2009 and Diane had advised me of the negative changes that would occur to my credit report. She also educated me, that the BK was a fresh start and my credit could be rebuilt with hard work and patience on my part. I want to inform others who may be going through the bankruptcy process, that with time, hard work and informed financial decisions, you can climb out of the lowest financial point in your life and achieve the highest point again.
In the 3 years since my Bankruptcy, I have worked my credit score back to 700 , I purchased a new vehicle in Oct 2011 and I just closed on a new home and mortgage in May 2012. All this was possible by the knowledge, skill and expertise Diane Drain has as a Bankruptcy attorney. To Diane I again say thank you. You have help me once again attain the American dream…
