Bankruptcy Lawyer in Auburndale, NY

Stop Creditor Calls and Eliminate Debt

Get immediate protection from harassment while exploring your path to financial freedom with an experienced bankruptcy attorney.

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Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Attorney

Your Fresh Start Begins Here

You’re not just filing paperwork – you’re reclaiming your life. When your bankruptcy case is complete, the phone stops ringing with collection calls. Your paycheck stays in your pocket instead of going to creditors who’ve been hounding you for months.

The weight lifts off your shoulders when you realize you can actually sleep through the night again. Your family dinners aren’t interrupted by debt collectors, and you can answer your phone without that knot in your stomach.

Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 to eliminate most debts entirely or need Chapter 13 to reorganize payments while keeping your home, you’ll have a clear roadmap forward. No more guessing what happens next or wondering if you’re making the right choice.

Experienced Auburndale Bankruptcy Law Firm

We Know Nassau County Courts

The Frank Law Firm P.C. has been helping Auburndale families navigate financial crises for years. We understand the local pressures you’re facing – the property taxes, the cost of living, the way one unexpected expense can snowball into overwhelming debt.

We’ve walked into Nassau County bankruptcy court hundreds of times. We know the trustees, understand their preferences, and can prepare you for exactly what to expect at your meeting of creditors.

You’re not getting a cookie-cutter approach here. We take time to understand your specific situation, your goals, and what matters most to you – whether that’s keeping your house, protecting your car, or simply getting creditors off your back.

How to File for Bankruptcy

Your Clear Path to Debt Relief

First, we sit down and review your complete financial picture – income, expenses, debts, and assets. This isn’t about judgment; it’s about understanding your options. We’ll determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 makes more sense for your situation.

Next, we handle all the paperwork and legal requirements. You’ll gather financial documents while we prepare your petition, schedules, and required forms. We make sure everything is accurate and complete before filing with the court.

Once filed, you get immediate protection from creditors through the automatic stay. Collection calls stop, wage garnishments end, and foreclosure proceedings pause. Then we guide you through the trustee meeting and any additional requirements until you receive your discharge and can truly start fresh.

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Debt Relief and Foreclosure Defense

Complete Financial Protection Services

You get comprehensive bankruptcy representation that covers both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. We handle everything from the initial means test to your final discharge, including representation at the meeting of creditors and any adversary proceedings that might arise.

Our foreclosure defense work often runs parallel to bankruptcy cases, giving you multiple strategies to save your home. We can negotiate loan modifications, challenge improper foreclosure procedures, or use Chapter 13 to catch up on missed payments over time.

Many Auburndale clients face similar challenges – high property taxes, adjustable rate mortgages that reset higher than expected, or medical emergencies that drain savings. We’ve seen these patterns before and know which approaches work best for Long Island homeowners dealing with financial stress.

Will I lose my house if I file for bankruptcy in New York?

Not necessarily. New York’s homestead exemption protects up to $170,825 of equity in your primary residence, and many Auburndale homeowners can keep their homes through bankruptcy. In Chapter 7, if you’re current on payments and have exemptable equity, you can usually keep the house. Chapter 13 is specifically designed to help you catch up on missed mortgage payments over 3-5 years while eliminating other debts. We review your mortgage balance, home value, and payment history to determine the best strategy for protecting your home.

How long does the bankruptcy process take in Nassau County?

Chapter 7 cases typically take 4-6 months from filing to discharge in Nassau County. You’ll attend one meeting of creditors about 30-45 days after filing, then wait for the discharge assuming no complications arise. Chapter 13 cases run 3-5 years since you’re making payments to creditors through a court-approved plan. However, you get immediate protection from creditors as soon as we file your case, so the harassment stops right away even though the full process takes several months to complete.

What debts can be eliminated through bankruptcy?

Most unsecured debts get wiped out completely – credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, old utility bills, and deficiency balances from repossessed cars. You’ll also eliminate most old income taxes (with some timing requirements), lawsuit judgments, and business debts from failed ventures. However, you’ll still owe recent taxes, student loans, child support, alimony, and secured debts like mortgages or car loans if you want to keep the property. We review your specific debts during consultation to show you exactly what will be eliminated versus what remains.

How much does it cost to file bankruptcy with your firm?

Chapter 7 attorney fees typically range from $1,500-$2,500 plus the $338 court filing fee, while Chapter 13 cases run $3,500-$4,500 plus $313 in court costs. We offer payment plans because we understand you’re filing bankruptcy precisely because money is tight. Many clients pay half upfront and the remainder before we file their case. The exact fee depends on your case complexity – simple Chapter 7 cases cost less than complicated situations involving business debts, adversary proceedings, or multiple properties. We provide clear pricing upfront with no hidden fees.

Will bankruptcy ruin my credit score permanently?

Bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 7-10 years, but your score can start improving within months after discharge. Many clients see their scores rise to 650-700 within two years because they’ve eliminated debt-to-income ratios that were destroying their credit. You can get secured credit cards immediately after discharge, car loans within a year, and many people qualify for mortgages 2-3 years post-bankruptcy. The key is that bankruptcy stops the ongoing damage from late payments, collections, and maxed-out credit cards that keep dragging your score down month after month.

Can I file bankruptcy if I'm behind on property taxes?

Yes, and bankruptcy can actually help with property tax debt. In Chapter 7, recent property taxes get discharged along with other debts, though you’ll need to stay current going forward to keep the house. Chapter 13 lets you catch up on back property taxes through your 3-5 year payment plan while eliminating other debts. This is especially helpful for Auburndale homeowners dealing with Nassau County’s high property tax bills. We can also explore whether your property assessment is accurate or if you have grounds for a tax grievance to reduce future bills.

Local Resources

Auburndale, NY is located in Queens County in New York State