(631)-271-3737,
QUEENS
(718)-751-0226
(516)-307-0262,
BROOKLYN
(347)-508-9316,
BOHEMIA
(631)-223-4502
(631)-271-3737,
QUEENS
(718)-751-0226
(516)-307-0262,
BROOKLYN
(347)-508-9316,
BOHEMIA
(631)-223-4502
Hear from Our Customers
When you’re drowning in credit card bills, medical debt, or facing wage garnishment, Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out most of your unsecured debts completely. You keep essential assets like your home and car while getting protection from collectors immediately.
Most clients walk away debt-free within six months. No more sleepless nights. No more avoiding phone calls. Just a clean slate and the breathing room you need to rebuild your financial future.
The automatic stay kicks in the moment you file, stopping foreclosures, repossessions, and harassment calls. Your paycheck stays in your pocket instead of going to creditors who’ve been bleeding you dry.
Ronald D. Weiss has been helping New Yorkers escape overwhelming debt since 1993. He clerked for a federal bankruptcy judge and practiced at major Manhattan firms before opening his practice to serve real people facing real financial crises.
We understand Chinatown’s unique challenges. With housing costs skyrocketing and many residents earning below the city median income, financial pressure hits hard here. Whether you’re a restaurant worker dealing with reduced hours or a small business owner struggling with rising rents, you’re not alone.
We have guided thousands of clients through bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and debt relief across Long Island and NYC. Our team speaks your language and knows the local courts, judges, and procedures that affect your case.
Your bankruptcy starts with a free consultation where you’ll get straight answers about your options. No sales pitch. No judgment. Just an honest assessment of whether bankruptcy makes sense for your situation.
If you decide to move forward, we handle all the paperwork and court filings. You’ll attend a brief meeting with creditors (usually 10 minutes or less), and then wait for your discharge. The automatic stay protects you from collection actions the entire time.
Most Chapter 7 cases close within four to six months. Chapter 11 reorganizations take longer but let you keep your business running while restructuring debts. Either way, you get experienced guidance through every step and immediate relief from creditor harassment.
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We handle all types of bankruptcy cases, from simple Chapter 7 liquidations to complex Chapter 11 business reorganizations. You also get foreclosure defense, mortgage modifications, and debt negotiation services under one roof.
Chinatown residents face unique financial pressures. Many work in cash-heavy businesses like restaurants where income fluctuates. Others deal with language barriers when negotiating with creditors. Some carry debt from helping family members or starting businesses in an expensive market.
We understand these local realities. We have helped clients save family homes from foreclosure, eliminate crushing credit card debt, and restructure business loans. Whether you’re facing personal bankruptcy or need to reorganize a struggling business, you get experienced representation that knows Chinatown’s community and challenges.
Bankruptcy stops wage garnishment immediately when you file. The automatic stay goes into effect the moment your petition hits the court, and your employer must stop taking money from your paycheck.
You don’t have to wait for a court hearing or judge’s approval. The garnishment stops that day. If your employer continues garnishing after being notified of your bankruptcy filing, they’re violating federal law and could face penalties.
This immediate protection is one of bankruptcy’s most powerful benefits. Whether you’re dealing with credit card judgments, medical debt collections, or other unsecured debts, filing bankruptcy gives you instant relief and time to get your finances back on track.
Yes, you can typically keep your apartment when filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New York. If you’re current on rent, bankruptcy doesn’t affect your lease. The automatic stay actually protects you from eviction for most types of debt.
New York’s bankruptcy exemptions protect essential assets including your primary residence equity up to certain limits. If you rent, your security deposit and personal belongings are generally safe from creditors.
However, if you owe back rent to your landlord, that debt will be discharged in bankruptcy, but your landlord might still pursue eviction through housing court. The key is staying current on ongoing rent payments while eliminating other debts that have been draining your budget.
Certain debts survive bankruptcy and must still be paid. These include most student loans, recent income taxes, child support, alimony, and debts from drunk driving accidents or criminal fines.
Recent credit card charges for luxury goods or cash advances may also be non-dischargeable if the creditor objects. Secured debts like car loans and mortgages can be eliminated, but you’ll lose the collateral if you stop paying.
The good news is that most common debts—credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, old utility bills, and collection accounts—get wiped out completely in Chapter 7. Even if some debts survive, eliminating the others usually provides enough relief to make the remaining payments manageable.
Attorney fees for Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically range from $1,500 to $3,000, plus a $338 court filing fee. Chapter 11 business bankruptcies cost more due to their complexity, usually starting around $5,000 for simpler cases.
Many bankruptcy attorneys offer payment plans since they understand you’re filing because money is tight. Some allow you to pay fees over several months before filing, while others accept partial payment upfront and the balance before your case closes.
The investment usually pays for itself quickly. If you’re paying minimum payments on $20,000 in credit card debt, you could spend years paying mostly interest. Bankruptcy eliminates that debt entirely, often saving you tens of thousands of dollars over time.
Filing bankruptcy generally does not affect your immigration status or green card application. Bankruptcy is a legal financial remedy available to anyone living in the United States, regardless of citizenship status.
Immigration authorities don’t consider bankruptcy filing a negative factor for most immigration decisions. In fact, resolving overwhelming debt through bankruptcy might improve your financial stability, which could help with certain immigration applications that require financial responsibility.
However, immigration law is complex and changes frequently. If you have pending immigration matters, it’s wise to consult with an immigration attorney before filing bankruptcy to understand how it might affect your specific situation. Most of the time, there’s no conflict between the two areas of law.
Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases in New York close within four to six months from filing. The timeline includes a 30-day period for creditors to object, a brief meeting with the trustee (usually 10 minutes), and a 60-day window for asset liquidation if needed.
Your debt discharge typically comes about 90 days after your creditors’ meeting, assuming no complications arise. Once you receive your discharge order, most debts are permanently eliminated and creditors cannot pursue collection.
The process moves faster than most people expect. You get immediate protection from creditors when you file, then relatively quick resolution of your debt problems. This speed is one reason Chapter 7 is so popular—you can move on with your life instead of spending years in a repayment plan.
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