Bankruptcy Lawyer in Horace Harding, NY

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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

What Life Looks Like Debt-Free

The phone stops ringing with collection calls. Your wages stay in your paycheck instead of going to garnishments. You sleep through the night without worrying about losing your house.

That’s what happens when bankruptcy protection kicks in. The automatic stay stops all collection activity immediately – no more harassment, no more threats, no more panic every time the mail arrives.

For many clients, Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans in just three to four months. Chapter 13 creates a manageable payment plan that lets you catch up on your mortgage while protecting your home from foreclosure. Either way, you get breathing room to rebuild your financial life on solid ground.

Horace Harding Bankruptcy Law Firm

Local Experience You Can Trust

We have been helping Horace Harding families navigate financial crises for years. We know the local bankruptcy court procedures, the trustees, and exactly what documentation you’ll need for a successful filing.

You’re not just another case number here. We understand that financial problems happen to good people – job loss, medical emergencies, divorce, business failures. None of that defines your worth or your future.

Our approach is straightforward: assess your situation honestly, explain your options clearly, and guide you through whichever path makes the most sense for your family’s circumstances.

How to File Bankruptcy

Your Path to Financial Freedom

First, we meet for a free consultation to review your debts, income, and assets. This helps us determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy makes more sense for your situation, or if there are alternatives worth considering.

Once you decide to move forward, we handle all the paperwork and court filings. You’ll need to provide financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, and debt statements, but we’ll tell you exactly what to gather and help you organize everything properly.

The moment we file your case, the automatic stay goes into effect. Creditor calls stop immediately. Wage garnishments end. Foreclosure proceedings pause. You get immediate relief while we work through the legal process to discharge your eligible debts or set up a manageable repayment plan.

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Debt Relief Services

Complete Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Defense

Our bankruptcy services cover both Chapter 7 liquidation and Chapter 13 reorganization cases. We also handle foreclosure defense to protect your home, often buying you months of additional time to explore your options or catch up on missed payments.

Many Horace Harding clients come to us facing multiple financial pressures at once – credit card debt, medical bills, mortgage arrears, and wage garnishments. We look at your complete financial picture to create a strategy that addresses all these issues together, not piecemeal.

You’ll also receive guidance on rebuilding your credit after bankruptcy. Most clients see their credit scores improve within 12-18 months of discharge because they no longer carry overwhelming debt loads. We help you understand how to use this fresh start effectively.

How quickly can bankruptcy stop foreclosure on my house?

Bankruptcy filing creates an immediate automatic stay that stops foreclosure proceedings the moment we submit your case to the court. Even if your foreclosure sale is scheduled for next week, filing bankruptcy will postpone it and give you time to explore your options. 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 house. However, you’ll eventually need to resume regular mortgage payments, so bankruptcy works best when you have steady income but just need time to get back on track.

What debts can be eliminated through Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically eliminates credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, old utility bills, and most unsecured debts. You’ll still be responsible for secured debts like your mortgage and car loan if you want to keep those assets, plus certain priority debts like recent taxes, student loans, and child support. The key advantage of Chapter 7 is speed – most cases are completed in 3-4 months, giving you a fresh start quickly. We’ll review your specific debts during your consultation to give you a clear picture of what can be discharged in your situation.

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

Most clients keep their home and vehicle through bankruptcy using New York’s exemption laws. These exemptions protect a certain amount of equity in your house, car, household goods, and other essential property. If you’re current on your mortgage and car payments, you can usually continue making those payments and keep the property. If you’re behind on payments, Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you catch up over time while maintaining ownership. The key is having realistic income to support your secured debt payments going forward. We’ll calculate your exemptions during consultation to show you exactly what property you can protect.

How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in New York?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves a $338 court filing fee plus attorney fees, which vary based on case complexity. Chapter 13 cases have a $313 filing fee and typically higher attorney fees due to the longer process and payment plan administration. Many attorneys require full payment upfront, but we offer payment plans because we understand you’re filing bankruptcy precisely because money is tight. We’ll give you exact pricing during your free consultation, and the cost is often less than what you’re currently paying toward minimum credit card payments that never reduce your principal balance.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy appears 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 use credit responsibly after discharge. Many clients see their scores improve within 12-18 months because they no longer carry high debt balances. You can often qualify for secured credit cards immediately after discharge and conventional mortgages within 2-4 years. The key is that bankruptcy gives you a clean slate to rebuild from, rather than struggling with overwhelming debt that keeps your credit score low indefinitely.

Do I qualify for Chapter 7 or do I have to file Chapter 13?

Qualification for Chapter 7 depends primarily on your income compared to New York’s median income levels and your disposable income after necessary expenses. If your income is below the state median, you’ll likely qualify for Chapter 7. If it’s above median, we’ll complete a means test calculation to determine if you have enough disposable income to fund a Chapter 13 plan. Chapter 7 is faster and eliminates debts completely, while Chapter 13 is better for people with steady income who want to keep assets like houses with significant equity or catch up on mortgage arrears. We’ll run these calculations during your consultation to determine which chapter works best for your situation.

Local Resources

Horace Harding, NY is located in Queens County in New York State