Bankruptcy Lawyer in East Setauket, NY

Stop the Calls, Save Your Home

Get immediate protection from creditors and explore your debt relief options with an experienced East Setauket bankruptcy attorney.

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Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

What Life Looks Like After Filing

The phone stops ringing. Your wages can’t be garnished anymore. The foreclosure notice becomes irrelevant because you’re protected by federal law.

That’s what happens when you file for bankruptcy with proper legal guidance. You get an automatic stay that immediately stops all collection activities, giving you breathing room to rebuild your financial foundation.

Most clients tell us the relief is immediate and profound. Instead of dreading every phone call or piece of mail, you can focus on moving forward. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts in just a few months, while Chapter 13 lets you keep your home and catch up on missed payments over time.

The goal isn’t just to get out of debt. It’s to give you a genuine fresh start so you can build the financial stability you deserve.

East Setauket Bankruptcy Law Firm

We Know New York Bankruptcy Law

We at The Frank Law Firm P.C. have been helping Long Island residents navigate financial crises for years. We understand the local bankruptcy courts, trustees, and procedures that affect your case.

You’re not getting a one-size-fits-all approach. We take time to understand your specific situation and recommend the bankruptcy chapter that makes the most sense for your circumstances.

Our office serves East Setauket and surrounding Suffolk County communities. We’ve seen how medical bills, job loss, divorce, and business failures can devastate good people who never expected to consider bankruptcy.

How to File for Bankruptcy

Your Path to Financial Freedom

We start with a free consultation to review your debts, income, and assets. This helps us determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for you, or if there’s another debt relief option worth considering.

Once you decide to move forward, we handle all the paperwork and filing requirements. You’ll need to complete credit counseling and provide financial documentation, but we guide you through each step and make sure everything is done correctly.

After filing, the automatic stay immediately protects you from creditors. We represent you at the meeting of creditors and handle any issues that arise during your case. Most Chapter 7 cases are complete within four months, while Chapter 13 involves a 3-5 year repayment plan that lets you keep your home and other important assets.

The entire process is designed to give you a clean slate and the tools to rebuild your credit more effectively than struggling with unmanageable debt.

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Debt Relief and Foreclosure Defense

Complete Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Services

We handle both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases, plus foreclosure defense for East Setauket homeowners facing the loss of their property. Our services include eliminating credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and other unsecured obligations.

If you’re behind on mortgage payments, we can help you use Chapter 13 to catch up over time while keeping your home. We also assist with stopping wage garnishments, protecting retirement accounts, and preserving essential assets during the bankruptcy process.

Every case includes thorough preparation, representation at all required hearings, and guidance on rebuilding your credit after discharge. We work with affordable payment plans because we understand that people filing for bankruptcy are already under financial stress.

Our goal is comprehensive debt relief that addresses both your immediate crisis and your long-term financial stability.

How quickly can bankruptcy stop foreclosure on my East Setauket home?

Filing for bankruptcy creates an immediate automatic stay that stops foreclosure proceedings the moment we file your case with the court. This gives you immediate protection, even if the foreclosure sale is scheduled for next week. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is particularly effective for homeowners because it allows you to catch up on missed mortgage payments over 3-5 years while keeping your home. The automatic stay remains in effect throughout your bankruptcy case, giving you the time and legal protection needed to resolve your mortgage arrears and other debts in an organized way.

What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York?

Chapter 7 is a liquidation bankruptcy that eliminates most unsecured debts in 3-4 months, but you must qualify based on income and pass the means test. Chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcy where you keep your assets and pay back a portion of your debts over 3-5 years. Chapter 7 works well if you have limited income and want to eliminate credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans quickly. Chapter 13 is better if you’re behind on mortgage payments, have significant assets to protect, or earn too much to qualify for Chapter 7. The choice depends on your specific financial situation, income level, and goals.

Will I lose my house and car if I file for bankruptcy?

Most people keep their home and car in bankruptcy. New York has generous exemptions that protect your primary residence, vehicle, retirement accounts, and other essential assets. In Chapter 7, you can keep exempt property as long as you’re current on secured debt payments. In Chapter 13, you can keep all your property and catch up on missed payments through your repayment plan. The key is working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who understands New York exemption laws and can structure your case to protect your most important assets while eliminating burdensome unsecured debt.

How much does it cost to file for bankruptcy in East Setauket?

Bankruptcy attorney fees vary based on the complexity of your case, but we offer affordable payment plans because we understand you’re already facing financial difficulties. Chapter 7 cases typically cost less than Chapter 13 cases due to the shorter timeframe and less complex requirements. Court filing fees are set by federal law, but attorney fees can be structured to fit your budget. We provide transparent pricing during your free consultation and never surprise you with hidden costs. Many clients find that the money saved by eliminating debt far outweighs the cost of proper legal representation.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains 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, especially if you follow good credit practices after discharge. Many clients see their credit scores improve within 1-2 years of filing because they’re no longer carrying high debt balances and making late payments. You can often qualify for a mortgage 2-4 years after bankruptcy discharge. The key is that bankruptcy gives you a clean slate to rebuild credit properly, rather than struggling with unmanageable debt that keeps your credit score low indefinitely.

Can bankruptcy eliminate all my debts in New York?

Bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts including credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and deficiency balances from repossessed vehicles. However, certain debts survive bankruptcy such as recent taxes, student loans, child support, alimony, and debts incurred through fraud. Secured debts like mortgages and car loans can be kept if you continue making payments, or eliminated if you surrender the collateral. The majority of people filing for bankruptcy see 70-100% of their debts eliminated, providing substantial financial relief. During your consultation, we’ll review your specific debts and explain exactly what can be discharged in your situation.

Local Resources

East Setauket, NY is located in Suffolk County in New York State