Rochester Bankruptcy and Debt Relief

Whenever there are judgments against real property, owned by the debtor who files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, those judgments, under appropriate circumstances, can be removed by filing 522(f) motion.  The judgment can be removed provided that the debtor’s equity in the property does not exceed $50,000.00 per single filer, or $100,000 per married couple.  The $50,000.00, otherwise known as a homestead exemption, comes from the present version of New York’s Debtor and Creditor Law.  Prior to August 30, 2005, New York’s homestead exemption was $10,000.00 per single filer, or $20,000.00 per married couple.

One issue that was not conclusively resolved in Western New York bankruptcy court was what happened in a situation where the creditor’s judgment was perfected prior to August 30, 2005.  If the judgment was perfected prior to the effective date of the increase in the homestead exemption, would the new homestead exemption or old homestead exemption would apply if the debtor filed Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

According to the United States Bankruptcy Court Judge Bucki in Buffalo, the applicable homestead exemption amount is the new $50,000.00.  In Re Calloway, Judge Bucki held that once the New York statute was amended, the homestead exemption amount became $50,000.00, and it would apply regardless of the date it was perfected.  Judge Bucki wrote that to hold otherwise, would disregard the meaning of the statute and its interpretation under New York law.  Specifically, he wrote that “C.P.L.R. § 5206 was immediately changed to provide that a homestead “not exceeding fifty thousand dollars in value above liens and encumbrances, owned and occupied as a principal residence, is exempt from application to the satisfaction of a money judgment, unless the judgment was recovered wholly for the purchase price thereof.””

Pursuant to the Debtor and Creditor Law § 282, the debtor has exercised her right to exempt her property from the bankruptcy estate.  Therefore, pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §522(f), the debtor may now avoid judgment liens that impair a homestead not exceeding $50,000 in value.

Therefore, debtor’s bankruptcy attorney does not need to be concerned with the date when the judgment was perfected.  As with most §522(f) motions, the biggest concern that a lawyer would have is the value of the property and whether debtor’s equity in it does not exceed the homestead exemption.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, NY, bankruptcy lawyer.

I am frequently asked by the debtors how long their bankruptcy filing will remain on their credit report and whether they would be able to obtain credit after the filing.  There is a substantial amount of confusion with respect to when a bankruptcy can no longer be reported on the debtor’s credit report and whether credit becomes available to those who file for bankruptcy relief.

The length of time a bankruptcy can be reported on the debtor’s credit report is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (“FCRA”).  The FCRA orders credit reporting agencies to remove bankruptcy case information from all consumer reports ten years after “the date of entry of the order for relief.”  It does not differentiate between Chapter 7 Bankruptcy and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.  The order for relief according to §301 of the Bankruptcy Code is entered on the filing date, so the ten year period is measured from the bankruptcy filing date, not the discharge date.

It is usually a good idea to order your credit report after the bankruptcy to make sure that the bankruptcy discharge also shows on the credit report so that potential new creditors understand that the creditors whose claims were discharged in bankruptcy have no remaining legal claims.

In my opinion, bankruptcy is no more harmful to the debtor’s credit score than the financial circumstances that lead to the bankruptcy filing. In today’s lending environment, credit is available to the recently bankrupt. It may be more expensive than prior to the bankruptcy filing, and available with lower limits, but it is likely to be offered. Similarly, according to the credit industry’s studies, 18-24 months after a bankruptcy discharge, bankruptcy debtors can qualify for a mortgage loan on the same terms as if they had not filed bankruptcy. The anecdotal experience of my clients has been that they were able to obtain mortgages within two years of filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.  While it takes some effort to rebuild credit after bankruptcy, it is possible to do so.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, NY, bankruptcy lawyer.

I have previously written about the requirements that a debtor must meet in order to file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.  As long as the debtor is able to meet the means test and disposable income test, the debtor can file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. However, there are a number of conditions that would disqualify a debtor from filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. The following post will address those conditions.

Generally, any debtor who is qualified to file and complete a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case is eligible for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Discharge, unless the debtor falls into one or more of the following categories:

A person who has been granted a discharge in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case that was filed within the last 8 years.  This limitation prevents debtor from filing another Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case despite meeting all other qualifications.  The bankruptcy petition specifically asks debtors regarding any prior bankruptcy filings.

A person who has been granted a discharge in a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case that was filed within the last 6 years, unless 70% or more of the debtor’s unsecured claims were paid off in the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case. Therefore, if the debtor’s Chapter 13 Bankruptcy case paid less than 70% of the unsecured claims, the debtor is limited to filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy within the 6 year period.

A person who files and obtains court approval of a written waiver of discharge in the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case.

A person who conceals, transfers, or destroys his or her property with the intent to defraud his or her creditors or the trustee in the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case. This relates to the provisions denying discharge to the debtor who committed that type of conduct.

A person who conceals, destroys, or falsifies records of his or her financial condition or business transactions.

A person who makes false statements or claims in the Chapter 7 case, or who withholds recorded information from the trustee.

A person who files to satisfactorily explain any loss or deficiency of his or her assets.

A person who refuses to answer questions or obey orders of the bankruptcy court, either in his or her bankruptcy case or in the bankruptcy case of a relative, business associate, or corporation with which he or she is associated.

A person who, after filing the case, fails to complete an instructional course on personal financial management. This is the reason that it is critical for the debtor to complete the course within 45 days of the meeting of the creditors.

A person who has been convicted of bankruptcy fraud or who owes a debt arising from a securities law violation.

If the debtor meets on or more of the above conditions, he is not eligible for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy discharge and should not file a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, NY, bankruptcy lawyer.

Periodically, I meet with debtors who own either second vehicles or motorcycles, and would like to keep them, after either Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy filing.  Filing for either Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy doesn’t always mean that you have to give up your second vehicle or motorcycle, as long as the payments are considered a reasonable vehicle expense.  The second vehicle, referred to above, is the vehicle that is an extra one for the single debtor, or the third one for joint filers.

How does the debtor know if the second car or motorcycle will be considered a reasonable expense?  The answer to this question initially depends on the type of bankruptcy being considered: Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

Since with Chapter 7 Bankruptcy there is no repayment plan for creditors, the secured debts, like vehicle loans, are either continue to be paid by the debtor or the vehicles are surrendered. The debtor is obligated to list his/her income and expenses in the bankruptcy petition. The purpose of listing income and expenses is to show that after deducting reasonable expenses, the debtor has no money with which to repay his creditors. If there is any significant money left over in the budget (more than about $100), the debtor will not qualify for Chapter 7. Instead, he will be required to file a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy where creditors are repaid some or all of what they are owed.

If the Chapter 7 debtor’s monthly income equals to his/her monthly expenses, the debtor has no money with which to repay his creditors in a Chapter 13. However, those expenses must be reasonable or the trustee will object to the bankruptcy. This is the critical issue in whether the debtor will be able to keep the second vehicle or motorcycle.  Usually if teh budget shows that even befor the payment on the second vehicle or motorcycle, the debtor is either at break-even, or is in the negative territory, the bankruptcy court will not require him to give it up.  If the debtor wants to spend less on other expenses, the debtor can do that.  If the debtor wants to make the payments, he can keep the second vehicle or motorcycle.  An additional caveat has to do with any equity in such second vehicle.  If there is any equity, the trustee is likely to demand that such equity be paid to the bankruptcy estate since it would not be protected by teh bankruptcy exemptions.

The above also applies for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy.  In Chapter 13, any vehicle payments allowed in the repayment plan take money away from what the unsecured creditors receive.  So a payment for the second vehicle or motorcycle will reduce the money the trustee has available to repay other claims and is likely to be objected to.  Here in Rochester, the bankruptcy trustee will permit the debtor to keep the second vehicle or motorcycle if the plan repays all unsecured debtors at 100%.  So, if the joint debtors, for example, are a couple with three vehicle payments, three vehicle payments are not necessary for “the effective reorganization of the debtor” required by the bankruptcy statute.  The second vehicle or motorcycle is likely to be toy, and allowing the toy to be paid off in the plan reduces the amount the unsecured creditors receive.

The easiest way to determine whether the second vehicle or a motorcycle will be viewed as an allowable expense in Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy  is to discuss these issues with a bankruptcy lawyer prior to making a decision to file.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, NY, bankruptcy lawyer.

I frequently meet with debtors who tell me that they are thinking about filing for bankruptcy, but have concerns since they may need a new car in the near future.  I am usually asked if a new car or used car should be purchased prior to filing for bankruptcy protection.  As a bankruptcy lawyer, the current status of the law prevents me from counseling debtors from acquiring more debt prior to filing for bankruptcy.  However, if I were in the debtor’s position, I would consider the following.

First, if you planning to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and you will need a different car, you should buy the car since it is easier to buy a car prior to filing for bankruptcy, assuming that your credit allows it.  If the car is financed, the loan will have to be reaffirmed, and assuming that the amount of equity does not exceed you New York exemption for a vehicle, you will be able to keep your vehicle.  At the same time, a financed vehicle on your credit report will help you rebuild credit after filing for bankruptcy.

If you are filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and decide to buy the car before filing, you will be able to keep the car and payments on the loan will be a part of your repayment plan.  If anything, since in Chapter 13 bankruptcy the bankruptcy court allows only a certain amount of interest to be paid on secured loans, it is possible that your monthly payments may be reduced.  The situation becomes more complicated if the debtor suddenly needs a car after filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  In order to obtain new debt, the debtor would need the bankruptcy’s court’s permission to take on a car loan.  This is likely to require a motion to amend the plan that was previously approved by the bankruptcy court.  If the court approves the purchase, that may change the monthly payments made by the debtor.  A potential benefit to the debtor is that if the payments are made on time, this is likely to improve debtor’s credit.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, NY, bankruptcy lawyer.

I often receive phone calls from people in Rochester and elsewhere in Western New York who are facing a potential eviction involving a commercial or residential lease.  Usually the debtors do not know what their bankruptcy options are and are seeking advice how to proceed.

A bankruptcy filing by the tenant, either residential or commercial, immediately stops any pending eviction proceedings as a result of an “automatic stay.”  Automatic stay, as I have written previously, is a mandatory injunction that arises by operation of law without the need for a hearing or order of the Bankruptcy Court.  The automatic stay stops all of creditor’s efforts to pursue collections, litigation or judgment enforcement.  The automatic stay protect the debtor and the property of the debtor’s bankruptcy estate.  However, with respect to leases, it is critical to know at what stage the eviction proceedings are.

In the case of a lease, whether commercial or residential, the critical issue is whether a writ of eviction has already been issued from the landlord-tenant court. There is a significant body of case law holding that once a writ of eviction has issued from the landlord-tenant court the interest of the tenant in the lease has terminated.  As result, if the lease is considered to be terminated by the bankruptcy court, the tenant can be evicted and the automatic stay will not stop the eviction.  Thus, if a bankruptcy is being considered to prevent to postpone the eviction, it is critical for the debtor to contact a bankruptcy lawyer as soon as the eviction petition is served.

For a tenant who files for bankruptcy, the available options depend upon what chapter (type) of bankruptcy the debtor may be filing.

If the debtor is filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it may provide a delay in being evicted, and discharge the tenant from any liability under the lease.  At the same time, the filing will not allow the debtor to either cure the default or give extra time to make payments under the lease.

For an individual debtor who has a lease, and has not kept up with the payments, Chapter 13 bankruptcy can provide the opportunity to cure the arrears (past due rent) over time.  In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the arrears can be paid over a 5 year period, depending on the terms of the plan.  If the tenant doesn’t stay current with post-bankruptcy rent, the landlord can seek “relief from the automatic stay” from the Bankruptcy Court to permit the landlord to move forward to evict the tenant in state court.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, New York, bankruptcy lawyer.

I am often asked whether the debtors here in Rochester will get to meet the Bankruptcy Court Judge during their 341 meeting, otherwise known as the meeting of the creditors.  My usual response to this question is no, since the bankruptcy court judges are barred by law from attending the meeting of the creditors.

While the meeting of creditors is open and the public can attend it, the bankruptcy judge assigned to the case may not do so. While it seems counterintuitive, the reasons for this is to avoid any perception of bias on the part of the judge. Prior to 1979, when the current version of the bankruptcy code became effective, a bankruptcy court judge was able to attend the meeting of creditors.  However, the Congress decided that it was necessary to prohibit judges from attending the meeting.

Accordingly, Bankruptcy Code section 341(c) provides that “the court may not preside at, and may not attend, any meeting under this section.” Although the local meeting of creditors is held in the Rochester Federal Courthouse, it is not a court hearing and the trustee presiding over the meeting is not a judicial officer.  I tell the debtors that in most Chapter 7 consumer bankruptcy cases, the debtor will never appear before the judge assigned to the case.

If I am asked the same question about the Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, my question will be the opposite since as a part of any Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the debtors will have to attend a confirmation hearing which, in Rochester, will be presided by Judge Ninfo.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, New York, bankruptcy lawyer.

Periodically, I see debtors who have moved recently to Rochester, New York, or nearby, from another state who wish to file either Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The critical issue in those situations is to determine what state’s bankruptcy exemption laws, if any, will apply.

Under BAPCPA, which passed in 2005, the initial question is how long the debtor has resided in the present state of residence. If the debtor has lived in the same state for the two years prior to filing, then New York’s exemptions will apply. However, if the debtor has moved to New York from another state during the prior two years, then the following rules will apply.

If the debtor resided in the same state for at least 730 calendar days continuously (two years) prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition, then the debtor can use that state’s exemptions. If the debtor did not live in the current state continuously for at least 730 days, then the debtor must pick the state in which he lived most of the time during the 180 days prior to the 730 days. In other words, the state that must be selected is where the debtor lived most of the time between 2 and 2 ½ years before filing.

If no state qualifies using the above rules (i.e., the debtor has lived in abroad) or if the 180-day state requires current residency or being a domiciliary to use its exemptions, then the debtor must use the federal exemptions. The default rule will only apply if the debtor did not live in any state during the 180 day period that began 730 days before filing, or if the state requires current residency or domiciliary. Under some circumstances, it is advantageous to the debtor to use the federal exemptions since they are typically more generous than New York’s exemptions.

If you contemplating filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy or Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, or are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a Rochester, New York, bankruptcy lawyer.

If you are contemplating filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you should stop using your credit cards.  Once you’ve decided to file for bankruptcy, any credit card use after that point will be highly scrutinized by both the credit card issuer and the bankruptcy trustee, and is likely to be viewed with a great deal of suspicion.  The reasons for this are obvious.  If the debtor decides that he is seeking to eliminate his credit card debt through Chapter 7 bankruptcy, or pay a lesser amount though a Chapter 13 filing, then incurring additional credit card debt can be considered fraudulent.  Specifically, the credit card issuer will make an argument that the additional debt was incurred without intention to repay, then the discharge can be objected to. Also, the issuer will also look at all of the transactions to verify that the money was not spent on such things as vacation trips, or that other unnecessary spending didn’t take place.  If a credit card issuer learns that a debtor used a card without any intention of making full payment, then the credit card company has the right to object to the debtor’s discharge of that particular debt.

Also, if the bankruptcy trustee, or United States Trustee, learn that the debtor intentionally ran up his credit cards before filing, then either trustee can seek to have the debtor’s discharge denied or move to have the case dismissed.  There is also the possibility that the debtor can be found to have engaged in bankruptcy fraud, which is a criminal offense.

While consumer Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows the debtor to eliminate all credit card debts and get a fresh new financial start, the debtor should not jeopardize his ability to seek bankruptcy protection by engaging in self-serving or foolish behavior.  There is simply no reason to create problems for the upcoming bankruptcy filing.  Therefore, don’t use your credit cards once you’ve decided to file bankruptcy.

If you are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a New York bankruptcy lawyer.

While bankruptcy appears to be a straight forward process, there are many pitfalls for the unwary.  Some actions taken by the debtor before filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York, may result in serious consequences.  Here are some areas where mistakes are commonly made

1. Debts owed to family and friends.  I would strongly recommend that you don’t try to pay back the debts owed to family and friends in anticipation of your bankruptcy filing.  A trustee in a bankruptcy case can reach back and undo any such transactions that took place within one year prior to your bankruptcy filing.   The concept is known as preference.  It is intended to prevent debtors from favoring some creditors over other creditors by transferring assets to a third party and then claiming they have nothing left.  While you may not be aware of preference, and your actions are responsible and just, they are likely to be undone by the bankruptcy trustee.

2. Disclose your financial affairs to your bankruptcy lawyer.  Always be honest with your lawyer about your assets and your financial transactions.  I am on your side and am able to help you, but I need to know everything that has taken place in order to take full benefit of the bankruptcy law.  I can’t do that unless I have all the information available.  Also, if I am not aware of certain facts, and if they come to light during the case or even after your discharge that you’ve withheld information or hid assets, you’ll not only lose the assets that were hidden, but the entire discharge can be undone.  This means all of the bankruptcy protection created by your bankruptcy is lost and creditors can once again pursue you.

3. Don’t withdraw your retirement money.  Sometimes, this is the easy route out of financial difficulties since the debtor may think that he or she may need more cash on hand if you’re getting ready to file for bankruptcy.  However, since retirement plans such as IRAs and your 401(k) are actually protected from creditors by bankruptcy exemptions in New York.  If you take the cash out and try to keep it, it will become part of the debtor’s estate.  Additionally, you’ll owe pay taxes on the money you withdraw.

4.  Don’t disregard pending lawsuits against you.  While the automatic stay will protect you from any pending actions, once the bankruptcy is filed, any lawsuits pending prior to the filing should not be allowed to go into default.  Lawsuits, if permitted to go into default have consequences and may result in adverse finding that may be difficult to undo during the bankruptcy.  Do not treat law suits the same way as creditors.  While the creditors will primarily call you and send you letters, lawsuits can have serious consequences that can be implemented before you file.  Therefore, make sure that you, or your attorney, respond to any pending actions.

Of course, the most important step in all of this is to make sure you’re working with a knowledgeable, experienced and trustworthy bankruptcy lawyer.  A good bankruptcy lawyer will help you successfully navigate the bankruptcy process and help ensure that you avoid all of the potential problems.

If you are dealing with debt problems in Western New York, including Rochester, Canandaigua, Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Perinton, Fairport, Webster, Victor, Farmington, Greece, Gates, Hilton, Parma, Brockport, Spencerport, LeRoy, Chili, Churchville, Monroe County, Ontario County, Wayne County, Orleans County, Livingston County, and being harassed by bill collectors, and would like to know more about how bankruptcy may be able to help you, contact me today by phone or email to schedule a FREE initial consultation with a New York bankruptcy lawyer.