Bankruptcy Lawyer in Whitestone, NY

Stop Creditor Calls and Save Your Home

Get the debt relief you need with a bankruptcy lawyer who understands your situation and fights for your fresh start.

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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Whitestone

What Life Looks Like After Bankruptcy

You wake up without dreading the phone ringing. No more creditor calls at dinner time or threatening letters in your mailbox.

Your paycheck stays in your account instead of being garnished. You can actually plan for groceries and rent without calculating what debt collectors might take first.

The constant knot in your stomach starts to loosen. Sleep comes easier when you’re not lying awake calculating payments you can’t afford. You have breathing room to rebuild instead of drowning in interest charges that keep growing no matter how much you pay.

Experienced Bankruptcy Law Firm Whitestone

We Know New York Bankruptcy Law

The Frank Law Firm P.C. has helped Whitestone residents navigate bankruptcy and debt relief for years. We understand the local courts, trustees, and procedures that affect your case.

You’re not getting a one-size-fits-all approach here. We know the difference between someone who needs Chapter 7 to eliminate credit card debt and someone who should file Chapter 13 to save their home from foreclosure.

We’ve seen what works in Queens County bankruptcy court and what doesn’t. That experience matters when your financial future is on the line.

How to File Bankruptcy Whitestone

Your Path to Debt Relief

First, we sit down for a free consultation to review your debts, income, and assets. No pressure, no sales pitch – just an honest assessment of your options.

If bankruptcy makes sense, we’ll determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits your situation better. Chapter 7 eliminates most debts in about four months. Chapter 13 creates a payment plan that lets you keep your home while catching up on missed payments.

We handle all the paperwork, court filings, and creditor communications. You’ll attend a brief meeting with the bankruptcy trustee, and we’ll be there with you. Most people are surprised how straightforward the process actually is once they have proper legal guidance.

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Debt Relief Lawyer Whitestone NY

Complete Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Services

We handle Chapter 7 bankruptcy for individuals and couples who qualify for debt discharge. This eliminates credit card debt, medical bills, and other unsecured debts while protecting essential assets like your car and household items.

Our Chapter 13 bankruptcy services help homeowners create manageable payment plans. You can catch up on missed mortgage payments over three to five years while keeping your home. This option works well for people with steady income who fell behind due to job loss or medical expenses.

Foreclosure defense is available for homeowners facing immediate threats to their property. We can often buy you time to explore bankruptcy options or negotiate with your lender. The automatic stay in bankruptcy immediately stops foreclosure proceedings, giving you breathing room to reorganize your finances.

How much does it cost to file for bankruptcy in Whitestone?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs include court filing fees of $338 plus attorney fees, which typically range from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on your case complexity. Chapter 13 cases have a $313 filing fee with attorney fees usually between $3,000 to $4,000. We offer payment plans because we understand you’re already facing financial hardship. Many clients can pay attorney fees in installments before filing, and Chapter 13 attorney fees can often be included in your payment plan. The cost of bankruptcy is almost always less than continuing to struggle with unmanageable debt payments.

Will I lose my house if I file for bankruptcy?

Not necessarily. In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you can keep your home by catching up on missed payments through a 3-5 year payment plan. Even in Chapter 7, New York’s homestead exemption protects up to $170,825 of home equity for most filers. If you’re current on mortgage payments and don’t have excessive equity, you can usually keep your house in either chapter. The key is acting before foreclosure proceedings advance too far. Bankruptcy’s automatic stay immediately stops foreclosure, but timing matters. We’ll review your specific situation and mortgage arrears to determine the best strategy for protecting your home.

What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Chapter 7 eliminates most debts in about 4 months without requiring monthly payments to creditors. You must pass a means test showing your income is below median levels for New York. Chapter 13 creates a 3-5 year payment plan based on your disposable income, allowing you to keep property that might be lost in Chapter 7. Choose Chapter 7 if you want quick debt elimination and don’t have significant assets to protect. Choose Chapter 13 if you’re behind on mortgage payments, have non-exempt assets, or earn too much for Chapter 7. We’ll analyze your income, debts, and assets to recommend the best option for your circumstances.

How long does the bankruptcy process take in New York?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes 4-6 months from filing to discharge. You’ll attend one meeting of creditors about 30 days after filing, then receive your discharge order eliminating qualified debts. Chapter 13 takes 3-5 years since you’re making payments to creditors through a court-approved plan. However, you get immediate relief from creditor harassment and collection actions as soon as we file your case. The automatic stay stops wage garnishments, foreclosure proceedings, and creditor calls on the filing date. Most clients feel significant relief within days of filing, even though the legal process takes longer to complete.

Can bankruptcy stop wage garnishment and creditor harassment immediately?

Yes. The automatic stay goes into effect immediately when we file your bankruptcy petition, stopping wage garnishments, bank levies, creditor calls, and collection lawsuits. Your employer must stop garnishing your wages as soon as they receive notice of the bankruptcy filing. Creditors who continue collection efforts after receiving notice can face sanctions from the bankruptcy court. This immediate relief is one of bankruptcy’s most powerful benefits – you get breathing room right away while we work through the legal process. The automatic stay also stops utility shutoffs, eviction proceedings, and foreclosure sales, giving you time to reorganize your finances.

Will bankruptcy ruin my credit score permanently?

Bankruptcy appears on your credit report for 7-10 years, but most people see credit score improvements within 12-24 months after filing. This happens because bankruptcy eliminates the debts that were dragging down your score. Many clients qualify for secured credit cards within months of discharge and car loans within a year. The key is rebuilding responsibly with on-time payments and low credit utilization. Continuing to struggle with unmanageable debt payments, missed payments, and collection accounts often damages credit scores more than bankruptcy does. We provide credit rebuilding guidance as part of our service because your fresh start includes learning to use credit wisely going forward.

Local Resources

Whitestone, NY is located in Queens County in New York State