As experienced bankruptcy attorneys in Nassau County, we find people file for bankruptcy for a range of reasons. Each bankruptcy case is unique and our bankruptcy attorneys can explain what will happen to you, your debts and your property when filing for bankruptcy in Nassau. That’s why before rushing to file, we strongly recommend that you talk to a lawyer familiar with the bankruptcy process in the Nassau County area.

 

Some people file a bankruptcy case when they cannot pay their current bills. Some file when they think they will be unable to pay their future bills. Others suffer from emotional distress and depression because their financial situation is more than they can handle and are looking to release their current debt in order to have their income and property secure for themselves and their family in the future. Many people who have had their wages garnished also benefit from filing for bankruptcy because bankruptcy can stop the garnishment and in some cases even get back some of the money already garnished.

 

Here are some scenarios our attorneys commonly see in Nassau County that can be effectively resolved through filing for bankruptcy:

 

• • You are facing foreclosure proceedings against your home.
• • You are being harassed by collection agencies.
• • Your wages and/or bank account have been garnished.
• • Your total debt is more than you could pay, even over a number of years.
• • Your payments on more than one bill exceed 30 days overdue.
• • You have lawsuits pending against you.
• • You have high medical bills not covered by insurance.
• • You are unable to pay income taxes that you currently owe.
• • You have few assets and little or no savings.
• • You have had property repossessed.

 

If you can identify with any of these situations, filing for bankruptcy may give you a new start. Because of the many rules and regulations governing bankruptcies, it is important to seek council from an experienced Nassau County bankruptcy attorney.

 

The choice to pursue bankruptcy protection is never an easy one, and should not be made lightly.

However, many people – after exploring all of their options with a reputable bankruptcy attorney in Nassau – come to the realization that bankruptcy is indeed the only way out from under their financial burdens.

For those with assets, the primary advantage of Chapter 13 is the ability of the debtor to retain valuable assets (such as a home), that they would otherwise be forced to sell under Chapter 7.

Chapter 13 also gives debtors a longer period of time to pay their debt than other filing options, and a professional bankruptcy attorney in Nassau can advise you as to what timeframes you might face.

Additional advantages of Chapter 13 include:

• - You keep all of your property – both exempt and non-exempt.
• - You have protection against creditors’ collection efforts, as well as from wage garnishment.
• - You are protected from foreclosure on your home.
• - You can file Chapter 13 in the future as needed. You’re not limited to filing limitations like you would be with Chapter 7.

However, the benefits of a Chapter 13 reorganization bankruptcy also has some counterpoint drawbacks which need to be considered carefully by you and your bankruptcy attorney in Nassau before making a final decision:

• - Your debt must be under $1,000,000, with unsecured usually less than $250,000 and secured less than $750,000.
• - You pay your debts out of remaining monthly disposable (post-bankruptcy) income, greatly restricting availability and access to cash.
• - Not all of the debts are subject to being repaid during the time period of the reorganization. Some may survive, requiring you to keep paying.
• - As with any bankruptcy action, there will be long-term effects to your credit rating.

Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be right for you if you have assets and earnestly want to work with your creditors in order to restructure your debt. By working with an expert bankruptcy attorney in Nassau, you can review your unique situation and get the best legal counsel for your specific circumstances.

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