Bankruptcy Lawyer in Valley Stream, NY

Stop the Calls, Save Your Home

Get immediate protection from creditors and explore real debt relief options that work for Valley Stream families.

Hear from Our Customers

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

What Life Looks Like After Bankruptcy

The phone stops ringing at dinner time. You sleep through the night without worrying about losing your house. Your paycheck stays in your account instead of getting garnished.

Bankruptcy isn’t about failure—it’s about using the law to get back on your feet. When you file for bankruptcy in Valley Stream, you get an automatic stay that immediately stops creditor harassment, wage garnishment, and foreclosure proceedings.

Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts in 3-4 months, giving you a clean slate. Chapter 13 lets you keep your home while paying back what you can afford over 3-5 years. Either way, you’re not drowning anymore—you’re rebuilding.

Valley Stream Bankruptcy Law Firm

We Know Valley Stream Debt Problems

We have helped Valley Stream residents navigate financial crises when they thought there was no way out. We understand the unique pressures facing Long Island families—high property taxes, expensive housing costs, and the challenge of maintaining middle-class life when everything gets more expensive.

We’re not here to judge how you got into debt. Medical bills, job loss, divorce, business failure—we’ve seen it all. What matters is getting you the relief you need to move forward.

How to File Bankruptcy

Your Path to Debt Relief

First, we meet for a free consultation to review your debts, income, and assets. No charge, no pressure—just an honest assessment of your options. We’ll determine if Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy makes more sense for your situation.

Next, we handle all the paperwork and legal requirements. This includes the means test, credit counseling, asset schedules, and court filings. You don’t navigate the bankruptcy court system alone—we guide you through every step.

Finally, you get your fresh start. Chapter 7 typically takes 3-4 months from filing to discharge. Chapter 13 involves a 3-5 year payment plan, but you keep your assets and catch up on missed mortgage payments. Either way, you’re protected from creditors while we work toward eliminating your qualifying debts.

Ready to get started?

Explore More Services

About Frank Law Firm, P.C.

Get a Free Consultation

Debt Relief Attorney Services

Complete Bankruptcy and Debt Relief

We handle Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for Valley Stream residents, plus foreclosure defense when you need to save your home. Our service includes the mandatory credit counseling, all court filings, creditor communication, and representation at the 341 meeting of creditors.

Many Valley Stream clients come to us facing foreclosure on top of overwhelming credit card debt. We can file bankruptcy to stop the foreclosure process while eliminating other debts, giving you breathing room to work out a solution with your mortgage lender.

We also help with alternatives to bankruptcy when appropriate—debt negotiation, payment plans, or other strategies that might resolve your financial problems without filing. The goal is finding the right solution for your specific situation, not pushing you toward bankruptcy if there’s a better option.

How quickly can bankruptcy stop creditor calls and wage garnishment?

The automatic stay goes into effect immediately when we file your bankruptcy petition—usually within 24-48 hours of deciding to move forward. This means creditor calls, wage garnishment, bank account freezes, and foreclosure proceedings must stop right away. Creditors who continue collection efforts after receiving notice of your bankruptcy filing can face sanctions from the court. The relief is immediate, which is why many Valley Stream clients wish they had filed sooner instead of struggling with debt collectors for months or years.

Will I lose my house if I file for bankruptcy in Valley Stream?

Most Valley Stream homeowners keep their homes in bankruptcy, especially if they’re current on mortgage payments. New York’s homestead exemption protects significant home equity, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy is specifically designed to help you catch up on missed mortgage payments while eliminating other debts. Even in Chapter 7, you can usually keep your home if you can afford the payments and don’t have excessive equity. We review your specific situation during the free consultation to determine the best strategy for protecting your home while getting debt relief.

What debts can be eliminated through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Most unsecured debts get eliminated in bankruptcy—credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, old utility bills, and collection accounts. Chapter 7 wipes out these debts completely in 3-4 months. Chapter 13 often eliminates them after you complete a 3-5 year payment plan. However, certain debts survive bankruptcy including recent taxes, student loans, child support, and secured debts like car loans if you want to keep the property. We’ll review your specific debts during consultation to explain exactly what can be eliminated and what you’ll still owe after bankruptcy.

How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Valley Stream?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney fees typically range from $1,500-$2,500 plus court filing fees of $338. Chapter 13 cases cost more due to the complexity and 3-5 year timeline—usually $3,500-$5,000 plus $313 in court fees. Many Valley Stream clients worry they can’t afford bankruptcy when they’re already struggling financially, but we offer payment plans and can often file your case before you’ve paid the full fee. The cost of bankruptcy is usually far less than continuing to struggle with minimum payments on debts that will never get paid off.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 remains for 7 years. However, the impact on your credit score decreases significantly over time, and many Valley Stream clients start rebuilding credit within 6-12 months after filing. If you’re already behind on payments and dealing with collections, your credit is likely already damaged. Bankruptcy often provides a faster path to good credit than struggling with unmanageable debt for years. We discuss credit rebuilding strategies as part of your bankruptcy case.

Can I file bankruptcy if I have a job and regular income?

Yes, having a job doesn’t disqualify you from bankruptcy—it actually helps your case. For Chapter 7, we use the means test to determine if your income is below the median for Valley Stream families or if you have enough disposable income after necessary expenses. Many working families qualify for Chapter 7 even with steady employment. If your income is too high for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 might be perfect since it requires regular income to fund a payment plan. Having a job shows the court you’re serious about meeting your obligations and getting back on track financially.

Local Resources

Valley Stream, NY is located in Queens County in New York State