Hear from Our Customers
You’re drowning in bills that never seem to get smaller, no matter how much you pay. The calls from creditors won’t stop. Your paycheck disappears before you can even think about getting ahead.
Here’s what changes when you file bankruptcy with someone who knows what they’re doing. The calls stop immediately—legally, they have to. Your wages stay in your pocket instead of going to garnishments. You sleep through the night without worrying about losing everything you’ve worked for.
Most people think bankruptcy ruins your credit forever. That’s not true. You can start rebuilding your credit score within two years of discharge, and many of our clients qualify for mortgages sooner than they expected.
Ronald D. Weiss founded our practice in 1993 with one goal: help people navigate financial crises without the legal jargon and false promises. He graduated from NYU School of Law, where he specialized in bankruptcy and reorganization law under Professor Lawrence King.
Battery Park City, NY residents face unique financial pressures. High cost of living, expensive rent, and the reality that even six-figure salaries don’t stretch as far as they used to. We’ve helped thousands of New Yorkers—from Wall Street professionals to small business owners—get back on their feet.
We handle all types of bankruptcy cases: Chapter 7 liquidation, Chapter 13 repayment plans, and Chapter 11 business reorganizations. We also defend foreclosures and negotiate with creditors when bankruptcy isn’t the right fit.
First, we meet for a free consultation to review your debts, income, and assets. No sales pitch—just an honest assessment of your options. We’ll tell you if bankruptcy makes sense or if there’s a better way forward.
If you decide to move ahead, we handle all the paperwork and filings. You’ll attend credit counseling (required by law) and meet with the bankruptcy trustee. This meeting is straightforward—they ask basic questions about your financial situation.
For Chapter 7 cases, most debts are discharged within three to four months. Chapter 13 involves a payment plan that lasts three to five years, but you keep your assets and catch up on missed mortgage or car payments. Throughout the process, creditors cannot contact you, garnish your wages, or take any collection actions.
Ready to get started?
Battery Park City, NY residents deal with specific financial challenges that other bankruptcy attorneys might not understand. The cost of living here means that even high earners can find themselves overwhelmed by credit card debt, medical bills, or business obligations.
We handle the complete bankruptcy process: preparing and filing all court documents, representing you at the 341 meeting of creditors, and dealing with any issues that come up during your case. If creditors challenge the discharge of certain debts, we handle that litigation too.
Our service includes foreclosure defense for homeowners behind on mortgage payments. Many Battery Park City, NY residents have significant equity in their properties, and we work to protect that investment through Chapter 13 reorganization or loan modifications.
We also negotiate directly with creditors when bankruptcy isn’t necessary. Sometimes a well-crafted settlement offer saves you thousands without the need for court intervention.
Most professional licenses are not affected by bankruptcy filings in New York. However, certain financial services licenses may require disclosure of bankruptcy proceedings to regulatory bodies.
The key is timing and transparency. If you hold licenses in banking, insurance, or securities, we review your specific licensing requirements before filing. Most licensing boards are more concerned with dishonesty than financial difficulties, so proper disclosure usually resolves any issues.
We’ve successfully helped attorneys, accountants, real estate agents, and other licensed professionals navigate bankruptcy without losing their ability to practice. The important thing is addressing licensing concerns upfront rather than hoping they won’t notice.
Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases in the Southern District of New York are completed within three to four months from filing to discharge. The timeline can vary based on case complexity and trustee workload.
Here’s the typical schedule: filing occurs within two weeks of retaining our services, the 341 meeting of creditors happens about 30 days after filing, and the discharge order is entered approximately 60 days after that meeting. If creditors object to the discharge of specific debts, the case may take longer.
The automatic stay that stops creditor collection actions takes effect immediately upon filing. So even though the full process takes several months, you get immediate relief from harassment, garnishments, and collection lawsuits.
Yes, in most cases you can keep your apartment if you’re current on rent and can continue making payments. Bankruptcy doesn’t automatically terminate your lease, and landlords cannot evict you solely because you filed bankruptcy.
If you’re behind on rent, Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows you to catch up on arrearages over time while staying in your apartment. This is particularly valuable in Battery Park City, NY where finding comparable housing at similar rents is nearly impossible.
For rent-stabilized or rent-controlled apartments, bankruptcy protection is even stronger. These apartments have significant value, and we work to ensure you don’t lose this valuable asset due to temporary financial difficulties.
Certain debts survive bankruptcy discharge, including recent income taxes, student loans, child support, alimony, and debts incurred through fraud or criminal activity. However, the rules are more nuanced than most people realize.
Income taxes older than three years can usually be discharged if you filed returns on time and meet other requirements. Student loans can be discharged if you can prove “undue hardship,” though this requires separate litigation within the bankruptcy case.
Credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and old business debts are typically discharged completely. This includes deficiency balances after car repossessions or foreclosures. Even some tax debts and penalties can be eliminated under the right circumstances.
Attorney fees for Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically range from $1,500 to $3,000, plus a $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 cases cost more due to their complexity and longer duration, usually $3,500 to $5,000 plus a $313 filing fee.
We offer payment plans because we understand that people filing bankruptcy don’t have thousands of dollars sitting around. For Chapter 7 cases, we typically require half the fee upfront and the remainder before filing. Chapter 13 fees can often be paid through the repayment plan.
The cost of not filing bankruptcy is usually much higher. If creditors are garnishing 25% of your wages or you’re paying minimum payments on $50,000 in credit card debt, bankruptcy pays for itself within months.
Bankruptcy filings are public records, but employers cannot fire you solely because you filed bankruptcy. Federal law prohibits employment discrimination based on bankruptcy status. However, some financial services positions have specific requirements about credit and financial stability.
If you work for a bank, investment firm, or handle client funds, your employer may have policies about bankruptcy disclosures. We help clients understand their obligations and, when possible, time filings to minimize workplace complications.
Many of our clients work in the financial district and have successfully navigated bankruptcy without job loss. The key is understanding your employment agreement and any bonding or licensing requirements before filing.
Useful Links
Here are some lawyer-related links:
Other Services we provide in Battery Park City