Bankruptcy Lawyer in Westbury, NY

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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney

What Life Looks Like After Filing

The phone stops ringing. Your wages stay in your paycheck. You sleep through the night without wondering if tomorrow brings another collection notice.

Filing for bankruptcy creates an automatic stay that immediately stops all collection activities. Creditors can’t call you, garnish your wages, or threaten foreclosure while your case moves through the court system. This breathing room gives you space to rebuild.

Most of our Westbury clients see their unsecured debt completely eliminated within 3-4 months through Chapter 7. Credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans disappear. You keep your home, your car, and your retirement accounts. What you lose is the crushing weight of debt that’s been suffocating your family’s future.

Westbury Debt Relief Lawyer

We Know Long Island Families

We have been helping Nassau County families navigate financial crises for years. We understand that Westbury homeowners face unique challenges – high property taxes, expensive living costs, and limited job markets.

You’re not just another case file here. When you call, you speak directly with an attorney who knows the local bankruptcy trustees, understands Long Island’s economic pressures, and has guided hundreds of families through this exact situation.

We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. More importantly, we’ve seen families come out stronger on the other side.

File for Bankruptcy Process

Your Path to Financial Freedom

First, we meet for a free consultation to review your debts, income, and assets. We’ll determine if Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy makes more sense for your situation. Most Westbury families qualify for Chapter 7, which eliminates debt faster.

Next, we prepare and file your bankruptcy petition with the Eastern District of New York. The moment we file, the automatic stay goes into effect. Collection calls stop immediately. Foreclosure proceedings halt. Wage garnishments end.

Within 30 days, you’ll attend a brief meeting of creditors – usually lasting 5-10 minutes. We’ll be there with you. Most creditors don’t even show up. Three months later, you receive your discharge order eliminating your qualifying debts. The whole process typically takes 90-120 days from start to finish.

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Bankruptcy Law Firm Services

Complete Debt Relief Protection

We handle both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for Westbury residents. Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debts quickly. Chapter 13 creates manageable payment plans while protecting your home from foreclosure.

Our foreclosure defense services buy you time when the bank starts proceedings. We challenge improper documentation, negotiate loan modifications, and explore all alternatives before recommending bankruptcy as your best option.

You also receive guidance on rebuilding credit after discharge. We explain which debts to pay first, how to establish new credit responsibly, and what to expect during your financial recovery. Many clients see their credit scores improve significantly within 18-24 months after filing.

How quickly can bankruptcy stop foreclosure on my Westbury home?

Bankruptcy creates an automatic stay the moment we file your petition, which immediately stops all foreclosure proceedings. If your home is scheduled for auction tomorrow and we file today, that sale cannot proceed. The automatic stay gives us time to evaluate your options – either eliminating other debts through Chapter 7 so you can afford your mortgage, or creating a Chapter 13 payment plan that catches up missed payments over 3-5 years. However, bankruptcy works best before you’re too far behind on payments, so don’t wait until the last minute to explore your options.

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

Most Westbury clients keep their homes and vehicles after filing bankruptcy. New York’s homestead exemption protects up to $170,825 in home equity, and you can protect $4,425 in vehicle equity. If you’re current on your mortgage and car payments, you can continue making those payments and keep the property. The bankruptcy eliminates unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills, often freeing up enough income to stay current on secured debts. If you’re behind on house payments, Chapter 13 lets you catch up over time while eliminating other debts.

How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Westbury?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically costs $1,500-$2,000 in attorney fees plus a $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 cases cost more upfront ($3,000-$4,000) because they require ongoing court supervision for 3-5 years. We offer payment plans because we understand you’re filing bankruptcy precisely because money is tight. Many clients pay half upfront and the remainder before we file their case. The cost of bankruptcy is usually far less than what you’d pay continuing to service debts that could be eliminated, making it a smart financial investment in your family’s future.

What debts cannot be eliminated through bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts including credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and old utility bills. However, certain debts survive bankruptcy: recent taxes (less than 3 years old), student loans (with rare exceptions), child support, alimony, and debts from fraud or criminal activity. Secured debts like mortgages and car loans also continue, but you can choose to surrender the property and eliminate any remaining balance. Most Westbury families find that eliminating credit card and medical debt frees up enough income to handle their remaining obligations comfortably.

How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy appears on your credit report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 shows for 7 years. However, the impact on your credit score decreases significantly over time, especially if you rebuild credit responsibly. Many clients see their scores improve within 18-24 months after discharge because their debt-to-income ratio improves dramatically. You can qualify for an FHA mortgage just 2-3 years after bankruptcy discharge. The temporary credit impact is usually worth the permanent elimination of overwhelming debt that was already damaging your credit through missed payments and high balances.

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

Having a job doesn’t disqualify you from bankruptcy – in fact, most people who file are employed but simply cannot keep up with their debt payments. For Chapter 7, your income must be below the median for Nassau County (about $78,000 for individuals, $95,000 for couples), or you must pass a means test showing insufficient disposable income to pay creditors. If your income is too high for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 might be perfect – it lets you keep your property while paying creditors a fraction of what you owe over 3-5 years. Having steady employment actually strengthens your bankruptcy case and your ability to rebuild afterward.

Local Resources

Westbury, NY is located in Nassau County in New York State