Bankruptcy Lawyer in Village Of Mastic Beach

Stop Creditor Calls and Save Your Home

Get immediate protection from harassment while keeping what matters most to your family.

Hear from Our Customers

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Services

Your Fresh Start Begins Today

You’re not just filing paperwork. You’re reclaiming your peace of mind and your family’s financial future.

When you file for bankruptcy, the automatic stay kicks in immediately. This means creditor calls stop, wage garnishments end, and foreclosure proceedings pause. You can finally sleep through the night without jumping every time the phone rings.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts in just a few months. Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans – gone. Chapter 13 lets you keep your home while reorganizing payments you can actually afford. Both options give you legal protection that debt settlement companies simply cannot provide.

Your credit will recover faster than you think. Most clients see their scores improve within 12-18 months because they’re no longer carrying overwhelming debt loads. You’ll have breathing room to rebuild properly this time.

Experienced Mastic Beach Bankruptcy Law Firm

We Know Suffolk County Bankruptcy Court

We at The Frank Law Firm P.C. have helped Village of Mastic Beach families navigate financial crises for years. We understand the unique pressures facing Long Island residents – high property taxes, expensive living costs, and economic uncertainty.

You won’t get shuffled between paralegals or junior attorneys. When you work with us, you get direct access to experienced legal counsel who knows the local bankruptcy trustees and court procedures. We’ve walked hundreds of clients through both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases right here in Suffolk County.

We also know that if you’re considering bankruptcy, money is tight. That’s why we offer free consultations and flexible payment plans that work with your budget, not against it.

How to File Bankruptcy in NY

Simple Steps to Financial Freedom

First, we meet for a free consultation to review your debts, income, and assets. No pressure, no sales pitch – just honest advice about whether bankruptcy makes sense for your situation. We’ll explain the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 so you understand your options.

Next, we gather your financial documents and prepare your bankruptcy petition. This includes listing all debts, assets, income, and expenses. We handle the paperwork and make sure everything is filed correctly with the bankruptcy court. The automatic stay protection begins the moment we file.

Then you attend a meeting of creditors, which sounds scarier than it is. It’s usually a brief meeting where the trustee asks basic questions about your finances. We prepare you for what to expect and attend with you.

Finally, you receive your discharge order eliminating qualifying debts. For Chapter 7, this typically happens within 3-4 months. Chapter 13 takes 3-5 years but lets you keep your home while catching up on missed payments.

Ready to get started?

Explore More Services

About Frank Law Firm, P.C.

Get a Free Consultation

Debt Relief Services Long Island

Complete Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Services

We handle both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for Village of Mastic Beach residents. Chapter 7 works best if you have limited income and want to eliminate unsecured debts quickly. Chapter 13 is ideal when you’re behind on mortgage payments but want to save your home.

Our foreclosure defense services buy you time and options when you’re facing the loss of your home. We can negotiate with lenders, challenge improper foreclosure procedures, and help you explore alternatives like loan modifications or short sales.

We also provide debt relief consultations for people who might have other options besides bankruptcy. Sometimes a well-crafted payment plan or debt negotiation can solve the problem without filing. We’ll give you honest advice about what makes the most sense for your specific situation.

Every case includes thorough preparation, court representation, and follow-up guidance on rebuilding your credit. You’re not just getting legal paperwork – you’re getting a roadmap back to financial stability.

How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Village of Mastic Beach?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically costs between $1,500-$2,500 in attorney fees plus a $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 costs more because it involves a 3-5 year payment plan, usually $3,000-$4,000 in attorney fees plus a $313 filing fee. We offer payment plans because we understand money is tight when you’re considering bankruptcy. You can often pay attorney fees over time, and in Chapter 13 cases, fees can be included in your payment plan. The cost of bankruptcy is almost always less than continuing to struggle with overwhelming debt, especially when you factor in the interest and penalties that keep adding up.

Will I lose my house if I file for bankruptcy?

Not necessarily. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can keep your home as long as you stay current on payments going forward and catch up on any missed payments through your payment plan. New York’s homestead exemption also protects up to $170,825 of equity in your primary residence in Chapter 7 cases. If you’re behind on mortgage payments, Chapter 13 is usually the better option because it gives you 3-5 years to catch up while stopping foreclosure proceedings. The key is acting quickly – the sooner you file, the more options you have to save your home.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 stays for 7 years. However, the impact on your credit score decreases significantly over time. Most clients see their credit scores start improving within 12-18 months because they’re no longer carrying overwhelming debt loads. You can often qualify for a car loan within 1-2 years and a mortgage within 2-4 years after bankruptcy. The key is rebuilding responsibly with secured credit cards and making all payments on time. Many clients find their credit is actually better a few years after bankruptcy than it was before filing, when they were missing payments and maxing out credit cards.

What debts cannot be eliminated in bankruptcy?

Certain debts survive bankruptcy, including most student loans, recent tax debts, child support, alimony, and debts from drunk driving accidents. Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and most other unsecured debts can be eliminated in Chapter 7 or paid through your Chapter 13 plan. Secured debts like mortgages and car loans can be kept if you stay current on payments, or you can surrender the property and eliminate any remaining balance. Recent debts for luxury goods or cash advances may not be dischargeable if they were incurred shortly before filing. We’ll review all your debts during consultation to explain what can and cannot be eliminated in your specific situation.

Can I file bankruptcy if I'm already facing foreclosure?

Yes, and filing bankruptcy immediately stops foreclosure proceedings through the automatic stay. Even if a foreclosure sale is scheduled for next week, filing bankruptcy will postpone it. Chapter 13 is usually the best option when facing foreclosure because it gives you 3-5 years to catch up on missed mortgage payments while keeping your home. Chapter 7 can temporarily stop foreclosure, but you’ll need to get current on payments quickly or work out a deal with your lender. The timing matters – the sooner you file, the more options you have. If you’re already facing foreclosure, don’t wait. Contact us immediately to discuss your options and protect your home.

Do I have to go to court for bankruptcy?

You’ll attend one meeting called the “meeting of creditors” or “341 meeting,” but it’s not in a courtroom and there’s no judge present. It’s an informal meeting with the bankruptcy trustee who asks basic questions about your finances and bankruptcy paperwork. The meeting typically lasts 5-10 minutes, and we attend with you to provide support and answer any legal questions. Most creditors don’t even show up to these meetings. You may need to appear in court if complications arise or if you’re filing Chapter 13, but most bankruptcy cases never require a formal court appearance before a judge. We prepare you for what to expect so you feel confident going into the meeting.

Local Resources

Village Of Mastic Beach, NY is located in Suffolk County in New York State