The 2025 Holiday Season Is Different for Bankruptcy Leads – Don’t Check Out
In this episode of the 720 System Strategies podcast, I sit down with influencer and bankruptcy attorney Adrienne Hines to talk about something many firms struggle with every year: whether it makes sense to keep following up with bankruptcy leads during the holidays.
Adrienne is not only a longtime consumer bankruptcy lawyer, she is also one of 720 System Strategies’ top influencers, responding to thousands of comments and direct messages every week. Her perspective goes far beyond one local market.
Together, we unpack why this holiday season looks different from prior years, how wage garnishments and collection activity are driving people to take action, and why attorneys who stay engaged in December are seeing packed calendars and surprising conversion rates. We also dig into the emotional side of debt during the holidays, the importance of leading with the word “bankruptcy” instead of vague “debt solutions,” and what is working in practice for consultations, phone calls, Zoom, and texting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are holiday bankruptcy leads worth following up, or are debtors checked out until January?
- Why does this holiday season feel different from past years for bankruptcy practices?
- How should I approach holiday leads without feeling like I am selling during a sensitive time?
- What kind of results are attorneys actually seeing when they keep taking appointments in December?
- What should I tell prospects about holiday spending, gifts, and credit card use if they plan to file?
- How are debtors thinking about credit scores and programs like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score?
- Should I market debt solutions or say bankruptcy directly in my messaging?
- Is phone, Zoom, or in person better for consultations with today’s bankruptcy leads?
- How should I use text messaging with leads and active clients?
- Why is empathy so important right now, and how does it affect reviews and long term growth?
FAQ: Are holiday bankruptcy leads worth following up, or are debtors checked out until January?
Holiday leads are absolutely worth following up. While many firms historically slowed down in December, this year looks different. Phones are ringing earlier, and people are not waiting until January to ask for help. Fear of garnishments, collections, and holiday costs is driving earlier action.
December has become a prime time to educate, build trust, and line clients up to file immediately after the holidays instead of starting January with an empty calendar.
FAQ: Why does this holiday season feel different from past years for bankruptcy practices?
Several pressures are hitting at once. The economy is tight, collection activity is aggressive, and in some states wage garnishments are increasing. In prior years, debtors hoped January would magically fix things. Today, more people understand that waiting does not change the math.
This realism, combined with financial stress and holiday expectations, makes people more open to bankruptcy conversations earlier than in past years.
FAQ: How should I approach holiday leads without feeling like I am selling during a sensitive time?
The shift is from selling to coaching. Debtors do not want pressure. They want guidance. That means offering clear advice about credit card use, gifts, preferences, transfers, and payday loans so they do not damage their case before filing.
Frame the consultation as planning for January or for their next move. When you lead with protection and clarity, retainers and deposits follow naturally when clients are ready.
FAQ: What kind of results are attorneys actually seeing when they keep taking appointments in December?
Attorneys who stay active are seeing strong results. One example showed 18 consultations in a single December week, with only two no-shows and 12 signed fee agreements with deposits collected.
Many of those clients plan to file after the holidays, but they are already retained and moving forward. That creates a strong January pipeline instead of a cold restart.
FAQ: What should I tell prospects about holiday spending, gifts, and credit card use if they plan to file?
This is where your value is highest. Clients do not know the rules around luxury spending, cash advances, preferences, or transfers. You do.
Encourage them to talk with you before using credit, explain what is safe and what is risky, and give simple written guidelines for holiday spending. That guidance positions you as a protector, not a salesperson.
FAQ: How are debtors thinking about credit scores and programs like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score?
Debtors are more focused than ever on life after bankruptcy. Many want to know what their credit will look like, how long rebuilding takes, and what steps come next.
Talking about programs like 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score shows clients that bankruptcy is not the end of their financial story. Pairing immediate relief with a clear rebuild plan creates hope and increases conversion.
FAQ: Should I market debt solutions or say bankruptcy directly in my messaging?
Clear messaging works better. When firms avoid the word bankruptcy and advertise vague debt solutions, lead costs rise and confusion increases. Borrowers know what bankruptcy is, even if they are nervous about it.
Leading with bankruptcy attracts people who are ready for a real solution and filters out those looking for unrealistic alternatives.
FAQ: Is phone, Zoom, or in person better for consultations with today’s bankruptcy leads?
Phone consultations outperform Zoom and in-person meetings for initial calls. Attorneys report higher answer rates, lower no-shows, and better engagement.
With phone calls, you initiate the contact. With Zoom, clients must navigate links and technology, which often increases avoidance. Many firms reserve Zoom for later steps, not the first conversation.
FAQ: How should I use text messaging with leads and active clients?
Texting is essential. Most people read texts even if they ignore email. Use texts to confirm appointments, follow up quickly on missed calls, and maintain momentum.
After retention, move clients into case-based texting within your CRM or case management system. Avoid personal phones to maintain boundaries and reduce risk.
FAQ: Why is empathy so important right now, and how does it affect reviews and long term growth?
Holiday debt often feels like a private crisis. Clients may look functional while feeling overwhelmed and ashamed. Calm, nonjudgmental guidance at that moment creates deep trust.
Clients remember who helped them feel safe during their hardest season. Those experiences drive heartfelt reviews, referrals, and long-term reputation growth well beyond the holidays.