Bankruptcy Lawyer in Shirley, NY

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Get immediate relief from debt stress with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who fights for Shirley families.

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Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Your Fresh Start Begins Here

When debt becomes overwhelming, bankruptcy isn’t failure—it’s a legal tool designed to give you breathing room. You can stop the constant creditor calls that interrupt family dinners and wake you at night. The automatic stay kicks in the moment we file, creating an immediate shield between you and collection agencies.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy can eliminate credit card debt, medical bills, and other unsecured obligations in as little as four months. Chapter 13 lets you keep your home while reorganizing payments you can actually afford. Both options protect your retirement accounts, basic household goods, and the essentials you need to rebuild.

You don’t have to choose between paying the mortgage and buying groceries. There’s a legal path forward that stops the financial bleeding and gives you space to breathe again.

Experienced Shirley Bankruptcy Attorney

We Know Suffolk County Bankruptcy Law

At The Frank Law Firm P.C., we have guided hundreds of Long Island families through financial crisis. We understand how quickly medical emergencies, job loss, or business setbacks can turn manageable debt into an impossible burden.

Our practice focuses exclusively on bankruptcy and debt relief, which means we know every detail of New York’s exemption laws and how to protect your assets. We’ve appeared in Suffolk County bankruptcy court countless times and maintain strong working relationships with trustees and court staff.

You’re not just another case file. We take time to understand your specific situation and explain your options in plain English, without legal jargon that confuses more than it helps.

How to File for Bankruptcy

Simple Steps to Financial Relief

Your bankruptcy process starts with a free consultation where we review your debts, income, and assets. We’ll determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy better fits your situation, or if there are alternatives worth exploring first.

Once you decide to move forward, we handle all the paperwork and filing requirements. This includes the petition, schedules of assets and debts, income statements, and required financial documents. We also ensure you complete the mandatory credit counseling course before filing.

After filing, the automatic stay immediately stops collection actions, foreclosure proceedings, and wage garnishments. You’ll attend a meeting of creditors about 30 days later—a brief, routine proceeding where the trustee asks basic questions about your finances. Most Chapter 7 cases receive a discharge within four months, while Chapter 13 cases involve a three to five-year repayment plan that lets you catch up on mortgage arrears while eliminating other debts.

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Debt Relief and Foreclosure Defense

Complete Bankruptcy and Debt Solutions

Our bankruptcy services cover both Chapter 7 liquidation and Chapter 13 reorganization cases. We also handle foreclosure defense when you need more time to explore options or when lenders haven’t followed proper procedures.

Many Shirley residents benefit from Chapter 13 bankruptcy because it allows them to keep their homes while catching up on missed mortgage payments over three to five years. We calculate payment plans based on your actual income and necessary expenses, not what creditors demand.

For those who qualify, Chapter 7 bankruptcy provides faster relief by eliminating most unsecured debts entirely. We protect your exempt property—including your primary residence up to New York’s homestead exemption, retirement accounts, basic household furnishings, and tools needed for work. The goal is always to preserve what you need for a stable foundation while eliminating the debt that’s holding you back.

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

Not necessarily. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is specifically designed to help homeowners catch up on missed mortgage payments while keeping their homes. You’ll make regular mortgage payments going forward plus an additional amount toward past-due payments through your Chapter 13 plan. In Chapter 7, you can keep your home if you’re current on payments and the equity doesn’t exceed New York’s homestead exemption limits. Many people file bankruptcy precisely because they want to eliminate other debts so they can afford their mortgage payments.

How long does the bankruptcy process take in Suffolk County?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes four to six months from filing to discharge. You’ll attend one meeting of creditors about 30 days after filing, then wait for the discharge assuming no complications arise. Chapter 13 bankruptcy involves a three to five-year repayment plan, but you get immediate relief from creditor harassment and foreclosure proceedings as soon as we file. The automatic stay protection begins the moment your case is filed with the Suffolk County bankruptcy court, often providing relief within 24 hours of filing.

What debts cannot be eliminated through bankruptcy?

Certain debts survive bankruptcy including recent taxes, student loans (with rare exceptions), child support, alimony, and debts from fraud or willful injury. However, bankruptcy eliminates most common debts like credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, deficiency balances from car repossessions, and old utility bills. Even if some debts can’t be discharged, eliminating the others often makes the remaining obligations manageable. We’ll review your specific debts during consultation to explain exactly what bankruptcy can and cannot accomplish in your situation.

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

Attorney fees vary based on case complexity, but we offer payment plans because we understand you’re filing bankruptcy due to financial hardship. Chapter 7 cases typically cost less than Chapter 13 cases due to the additional work involved in payment plan preparation and ongoing administration. Court filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, plus mandatory credit counseling courses that cost about $50 total. We discuss all costs upfront during your free consultation and never surprise you with hidden fees later.

Can I file bankruptcy if I'm behind on my mortgage payments?

Yes, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often the best option for homeowners facing foreclosure. The automatic stay immediately stops foreclosure proceedings, giving you time to catch up on missed payments through a court-approved repayment plan. You’ll need enough income to make future mortgage payments plus an additional amount toward the arrearage, but this is often much more manageable than what mortgage companies demand for reinstatement. Even in Chapter 7, filing can delay foreclosure and give you time to negotiate with your lender or explore other options.

Will bankruptcy ruin my credit score permanently?

Bankruptcy appears on your credit report for seven to ten years, but most people see their credit scores improve within two years of filing. This happens because bankruptcy eliminates the debts that were dragging down your score and stops the cycle of late payments and collection accounts. Many clients qualify for secured credit cards within months of discharge and car loans within a year or two. The key is using bankruptcy as a fresh start to rebuild healthy financial habits, not as permission to accumulate new debt you can’t afford.

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Shirley, NY is located in Suffolk County in New York State

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Bankruptcy Lawyer in Shirley, NY

Stop Creditor Calls and Save Your Home