- Call for a Free Consultation, Near You. Hablamos Espanol
- Call for a Free Consultation, Near You. Hablamos Espanol
-
SUFFOLK
(631)-271-3737,
QUEENS (718)-751-0226
-
NASSAU (516)-307-0262,
BROOKLYN (347)-508-9316,
BOHEMIA
(631)-223-4502
- Exceptional Legal Representation Throughout
- Long Island and New York, Since 1993.
-
SUFFOLK (631)-271-3737,
QUEENS (718)-751-0226
-
NASSAU (516)-307-0262,
BROOKLYN (347)-508-9316,
BOHEMIA (631)-223-4502
- Exceptional Legal Representation Throughout Long Island and New York, Since 1993.
(631)-271-3737
(718)-751-0226
(516)-307-0262
(347)-508-9316
(631)-223-4502Bankruptcy Lawyer in Civic Center, NY
Stop Creditors. Keep Your Home. Start Fresh.
Hear from Our Customers
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Civic Center
You’re drowning in credit card bills, medical debt, and collection calls. Every month feels like you’re falling further behind, no matter how hard you try. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out these debts completely—often in just three to four months.
Most people keep their homes, cars, and personal belongings. The automatic stay kicks in the moment we file, which means creditors must stop calling, wage garnishments end, and foreclosure proceedings halt. You get to breathe again.
This isn’t about failure. It’s about using a legal tool designed to give people exactly what you need: a genuine fresh start without the crushing weight of unmanageable debt.
Bankruptcy Attorney Civic Center NY
We have been helping Civic Center residents and families across Long Island navigate bankruptcy and foreclosure challenges for years. Our firm specializes exclusively in bankruptcy law, foreclosure negotiation, and debt relief—we know these areas inside and out.
We maintain multiple office locations throughout Long Island and NYC, making us accessible when you need help most. This isn’t a side practice for us. Bankruptcy and foreclosure defense is what we do, day in and day out.
Our approach is straightforward: we evaluate your specific situation, explain your options clearly, and help you choose the path that makes the most sense for your circumstances and goals.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Civic Center
First, we meet for a thorough consultation where you’ll speak directly with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. We review your debts, income, assets, and goals. No paralegal interviews—you get direct access to legal expertise from day one.
Next, we determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy serves your situation best. Chapter 7 eliminates most debts quickly. Chapter 13 creates a manageable payment plan while protecting your home from foreclosure. We handle all the paperwork and court filings.
Once filed, the automatic stay immediately stops creditor harassment, wage garnishments, and foreclosure proceedings. You’ll attend a brief meeting of creditors (we’ll be right there with you), and then move toward your discharge and fresh start.
Throughout the process, we handle communications with creditors, trustees, and the court. You focus on moving forward while we manage the legal complexities.
Ready to get started?
Debt Relief Bankruptcy Lawyer
We handle both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for Civic Center residents. Chapter 7 eliminates credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and most other unsecured debts. Chapter 13 stops foreclosures and creates court-approved payment plans for catching up on mortgage arrears.
For homeowners facing foreclosure, we provide aggressive foreclosure defense in state court alongside bankruptcy options. Many foreclosure cases have procedural defects or documentation problems that can be challenged. We also negotiate loan modifications and work through loss mitigation programs.
Civic Center’s proximity to Manhattan’s financial district means many residents work in high-stress environments where sudden job loss or business downturns can quickly spiral into unmanageable debt. We understand the unique pressures facing professionals and families in this area, from rising housing costs to the financial impact of economic uncertainty in the financial sector.
How quickly can Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminate my credit card debt?
Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases result in a discharge within three to four months of filing. Once we file your petition, creditors must immediately stop collection efforts due to the automatic stay.
The actual discharge order—which legally eliminates your qualifying debts—typically occurs about 60 days after your meeting of creditors. This meeting usually happens 4-6 weeks after filing. So from start to finish, you’re looking at roughly 90-120 days to complete elimination of credit card debts, medical bills, and other unsecured obligations.
The timeline can vary slightly based on court schedules and whether any complications arise, but the vast majority of our Chapter 7 clients receive their discharge within this standard timeframe.
Can Chapter 13 bankruptcy really stop my home foreclosure in Civic Center?
Yes, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can immediately halt foreclosure proceedings, even if a sale date has already been scheduled. The automatic stay goes into effect the moment we file your petition, and foreclosure actions must stop.
Chapter 13 allows you to catch up on missed mortgage payments over 3-5 years through a court-approved payment plan. You make your regular monthly mortgage payment going forward, plus an additional amount toward the arrears through your Chapter 13 plan payment. This gives you time to stabilize your finances while keeping your home.
For this to work effectively, you need sufficient regular income to maintain both current mortgage payments and the plan payment. We’ll analyze your budget carefully during consultation to ensure Chapter 13 is viable for your specific situation.
Will I lose my car or other property in bankruptcy?
Most people keep their cars, homes, and personal belongings in bankruptcy. New York’s bankruptcy exemptions protect significant amounts of property, including up to $4,550 in vehicle equity, household goods, clothing, and tools of your trade.
If your car is financed and you’re current on payments, you can typically keep making payments and retain the vehicle. If you’re behind on car payments, Chapter 13 allows you to catch up over time, and sometimes reduce the loan balance to the car’s current value.
For homes, the homestead exemption protects substantial equity. In counties including those around Civic Center, you can protect up to $170,825 in home equity (or $341,650 for married couples filing jointly). Most of our clients discover they can keep everything they truly need while eliminating the debts that are crushing them financially.
What debts cannot be eliminated through bankruptcy in New York?
Certain debts survive bankruptcy and must still be paid. These include most student loans, recent tax debts (generally less than three years old), child support and alimony obligations, and debts incurred through fraud or intentional misconduct.
However, bankruptcy eliminates most common debts that overwhelm families: credit card balances, medical bills, personal loans, deficiency balances after car repossession, old utility bills, and most business debts. Even some older tax debts can be discharged under specific circumstances.
Recent luxury purchases or cash advances may also be non-dischargeable if made shortly before filing. We review your specific debts during consultation to give you a clear picture of what will and won’t be eliminated, so you can make an informed decision about whether bankruptcy provides the relief you need.
How much does bankruptcy cost and do you offer payment plans?
Attorney fees vary based on case complexity, but we offer affordable rates and flexible payment arrangements. Many clients are surprised to learn that bankruptcy is often less expensive than continuing to make minimum payments on debts that will never be fully paid off.
We provide transparent fee quotes during your consultation and offer payment plans that work with your budget. For Chapter 7 cases, fees can often be paid before filing. Chapter 13 cases allow attorney fees to be paid through your repayment plan, making it accessible even when money is extremely tight.
The court filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. We’ll explain all costs upfront so you can plan accordingly. Remember, the goal is to improve your financial situation—we structure our fees to make that possible, not to create additional financial stress.
Should I stop paying credit cards before filing bankruptcy in Civic Center?
Generally, yes—once you’ve made the decision to file bankruptcy, continuing to pay credit cards that will be discharged doesn’t make financial sense. However, timing and strategy matter significantly, so don’t take this step without legal guidance.
You should stop using credit cards immediately and avoid taking cash advances or making large purchases in the months before filing. Recent luxury purchases over $600 within 90 days of filing may not be discharged. Similarly, cash advances over $875 within 70 days of filing can be problematic.
If you’ve been paying friends or family members back, those payments might need to be disclosed as preferential transfers. We’ll review your recent financial activity during consultation and advise you on the best approach for your specific situation. The key is planning your filing strategically to maximize the benefits and avoid potential complications.
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