How does the whole bankruptcy process work in New York?

For over 35 years I have been constantly revising and streamlining the process to make filing bankruptcy as fast and painless as possible.

Our time proven process works like this:

1. Call me.

You will have a free consultation, either on the telephone or in person. In-person consultations are preferable and necessary in many cases.

Whether we speak on the phone or in person I will ask you a brief set of standard questions to make sure that bankruptcy is the right decision for you AND which Chapter is best for you, such as:

• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
• Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

You will be given a guaranteed written fee quote and two copies of a retention agreement and all of the notes from our consultation along with the information required to be provided by Congress.

2. You return one copy of the agreement signed with a deposit (at least $200) towards the total legal fees and costs.  We accept cash, personal checks, money orders, etc.  You can also pay online at any time by clicking the Payments button on this website. (You do not need a PayPal account to pay us online)

3. We will send you a simple package containing:

• Document checklist;
• Credit report order form;
• Simplified questionnaire;
• Pre-filing counseling course information (you can take the course on the phone or on the internet: it only takes about 90 minutes);

4.  After the fees and expenses are paid, we will contact you to review the documents and the questionnaire.

5. Your case will be prepared, reviewed by you and me and usually filed within the same month.

6. Of course, we can file cases in One day when necessary.

7. In about 3 to 5 weeks after your case is filed you will be interviewed at a meeting by a lawyer called a trustee.

8.  We will send you in advance of the meeting, the standard questions that will be asked of you by the trustee.

9. You will meet with me in my office prior to the meeting and review all of the questions you will be asked and also review all of the papers that we filed for you. I am the ONLY attorney that does that.

10. I will be at the meeting with you.  If the case is not filed in White Plains, I may hire an attorney at my expense that will be familiar with your file to attend the meeting. I remain fully responsible for your case and in the event any issues arise at the meeting I will resolve them at No Charge.

11.  In over 90% of our cases the trustee will recommend that you be granted a discharge of your debts within a day or two of the meeting.

12.  I will email you notice of the trustee’s recommendation as soon we receive it.

12. In about 60 days after the meeting you will be granted your discharge.

13.  I will email you as soon as we receive notice of the discharge.

14.  Occasionally, the trustee will require additional information. We will assist you at No Charge in satisfying the trustee.

15.  Sometimes a car loan needs to be “reaffirmed”.  We will assist you and attend the Court hearing for the reaffirmation at No Charge.