Bankruptcy Lawyer in Jamaica Estates, NY

Stop Creditor Calls and Eliminate Debt

Get the fresh financial start you deserve with experienced bankruptcy representation that protects your assets and your future.

A wooden judge's gavel rests on a reflective black surface in the foreground. In the background, a balance scale stands against a gray textured wall, symbolizing law and justice, much like the tools of a foreclosure attorney navigating complex litigation.

Hear from Our Customers

Two people are seated at a desk with documents. One hands over an envelope to the other. A gavel, a set of scales, and notebooks with a pen are on the table, suggesting a legal or professional setting possibly involving Real Estate Law.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

What Life Looks Like After Bankruptcy

The phone stops ringing with collection calls. You sleep through the night without worrying about losing your home. Your paycheck is yours again, not split between creditors who seem to multiply every month.

Most people don’t realize that bankruptcy isn’t about failure—it’s about using the law to get back on solid ground. Chapter 7 can eliminate credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans in just a few months. Chapter 13 lets you keep your home while creating a manageable payment plan that actually ends.

You’ll have breathing room to rebuild your credit properly instead of watching it deteriorate with each missed payment. The automatic stay stops foreclosure proceedings immediately, giving you time to evaluate your options without pressure from lenders.

Experienced Jamaica Estates Bankruptcy Attorney

Local Expertise You Can Trust

We have been helping Jamaica Estates residents navigate bankruptcy and debt relief for years. We understand the unique financial pressures facing Queens families and the importance of protecting your assets while eliminating overwhelming debt.

You’re not getting a one-size-fits-all approach here. Every case gets individual attention because your financial situation is unique. We know the local bankruptcy court procedures, the New York exemption laws that protect your property, and how to position your case for the best possible outcome.

Our focus is on getting you results, not just filing paperwork. That means honest advice about which bankruptcy chapter serves you best and clear communication throughout the entire process.

A person in a suit sits at a desk typing on a keyboard, immersed in civil litigation. In the foreground, a gavel rests on a wooden block, while a set of scales is slightly blurred in the background.

How to File for Bankruptcy

Your Path to Financial Freedom

First, we’ll analyze your complete financial picture during a free consultation. This includes your income, debts, assets, and goals. We’ll determine if you qualify for Chapter 7 or if Chapter 13 better protects your assets and provides the debt relief you need.

Next, we handle all the paperwork and court filings. You’ll complete required credit counseling, and we’ll prepare your petition with detailed financial schedules. The automatic stay goes into effect immediately when we file, stopping all collection activities and foreclosure proceedings.

Finally, you’ll attend a brief meeting of creditors where you’ll answer basic questions about your finances under oath. In Chapter 7, most cases are complete within 90-120 days. Chapter 13 involves a 3-5 year payment plan, but you keep your assets and get immediate protection from creditors.

A person in a suit writes in a notebook at a desk with a gavel, scales of justice, and legal books, suggesting a legal or courtroom setting. Sunlight streams in through a window in the background.

Ready to get started?

Explore More Services

About Frank Law Firm, P.C.

Get a Free Consultation

Debt Relief and Foreclosure Defense

Complete Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Services

You get comprehensive bankruptcy representation that covers every aspect of your case. This includes means test analysis to determine the right bankruptcy chapter, asset protection planning using New York exemptions, and foreclosure defense to save your home when possible.

We handle all creditor communications, court appearances, and document preparation. You’ll receive guidance on rebuilding credit after bankruptcy and protecting your fresh start. Our service includes the required credit counseling referrals and debtor education course coordination.

For Jamaica Estates residents, we understand the importance of protecting home equity and retirement accounts. We’ll structure your case to maximize exemptions and ensure you keep essential assets while eliminating dischargeable debts that are destroying your financial stability.

attorney and client meeting.
Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases are completed within 90 to 120 days from the filing date. The automatic stay protecting you from creditors begins immediately when we file your petition. You’ll attend one meeting of creditors about 30 days after filing, which typically lasts 10-15 minutes. The court then issues your discharge order eliminating qualifying debts. The entire process is designed to give you a fresh start as quickly as possible while ensuring all legal requirements are met properly.
Not necessarily. In New York, you can protect up to $170,825 in home equity using the homestead exemption, and married couples can double that amount. If you’re current on mortgage payments, you can usually keep your home in Chapter 7. Chapter 13 is specifically designed to help you keep your house by creating a payment plan to catch up on missed mortgage payments while eliminating other debts. We’ll analyze your specific situation to determine the best strategy for protecting your home.
Certain debts survive bankruptcy including recent income taxes, student loans (in most cases), child support, alimony, and debts from fraud or willful injury to others. Secured debts like mortgages and car loans continue, but you can choose to surrender the property and eliminate any deficiency balance. Most credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and older tax debts can be discharged. We’ll review your specific debts during consultation to explain exactly what can be eliminated in your situation.
Attorney fees for Chapter 7 typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 plus a $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 cases generally cost more due to the longer timeline and payment plan administration. We offer payment plans because we understand you’re filing bankruptcy due to financial hardship. The cost is often less than what you’re paying creditors each month, and the debt elimination usually saves thousands of dollars. We’ll provide a clear fee quote during your free consultation with no hidden charges.
Yes, but you’ll need to pass the means test which compares your income to New York’s median income levels. If your income is above the median, we’ll calculate your disposable income using allowed expense deductions. High earners often qualify for Chapter 7 if they have high necessary expenses or significant secured debt payments. If Chapter 7 isn’t available, Chapter 13 might be a better option, allowing you to keep assets while paying creditors through a manageable payment plan based on your actual disposable income.
Bankruptcy will initially lower your credit score, but if you’re already missing payments, your score is likely declining anyway. Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 remains for 7 years. However, many clients see their scores improve within 12-24 months because they eliminate debt-to-income ratio problems and can make payments on time. You can often qualify for secured credit cards immediately and car loans within a year. The key is that bankruptcy stops the ongoing damage from missed payments and gives you a foundation for rebuilding credit properly.

Do you need professional legal assistance?