Consumer Bankruptcy Lawyers in Albany, New York

Find the right Consumer Bankruptcy attorney in Albany, NY

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Bankruptcy is a court proceeding which lets a person or business have some or all of their debts discharged. It should usually only be considered as an option of last resort, because it can have serious long-term consequences, even if it can stave off financial disaster. This means that the costs and benefits need to be carefully considered before filing. Being a product of federal law, bankruptcy will go through federal courts. Accordingly, the procedure for filing for bankruptcy in New York is basically the same as the procedure anywhere else in the United States. However, individual courts in Albany, New York will have individual rules for exemptions, so you should speak with a local attorney before filing.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Albany, New York

There are 2 common forms of consumer bankruptcy in Albany, New York: Chapter 7 and 13. Chapter 7 requires that a certain percentage of the debtor's property be liquidated to pay off at least a small part of their debt. However, many types of property are exempt, and do not need to be liquidated, such as cars, homes, insurance policies, and retirement accounts.

Once eligible assets are sold, and the money turned over to the creditors, most remaining debt is discharged. However, there are certain types of debt that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, including student loans, taxes, child support, and criminal fines. If most of your debt is non-dischargeable, it may not be a good idea to file for bankruptcy in Albany, New York.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Albany, New York

Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Albany, New York is markedly different. It may or may not be a better option than Chapter 7, depending on the facts of your particular case. Chapter 13 does not discharge debt, but restructures it instead. Usually, various debts are consolidated into a single monthly payment. This is designed to make the debt more manageable, giving the debtor the chance to pay off the debt over a longer period of time, without all of it coming due at once. This is usually manageable, as long as the debtor can make some sacrifices.

Which Type of Consumer Bankruptcy Should I File in Albany, New York

Which Bankruptcy type to file under depends heavily on the facts of each individual case. If you have a steady stream of income (enough to make a payment plan manageable), and a large amount of non-exempt property that you don't want to part with, Chapter 13 may be best for you. If you don't have a steady income or large amounts of non-exempt property, you may be better off filing for Chapter 7.

Regardless of your situation, you should speak with an attorney in Albany, New York who is experienced in bankruptcy before making a decision. They will be able to advise you of your options, and the likely consequences of each one, allowing you to make a much more informed decision.

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Life in Albany

Albany is the capital city of New York State, and the county seat of Albany County. Albany, New Yorkis a medium-sized city, boasting a population of just under 100,000 people.

In 1908, Albany, New York opened one of the first commercial airports in the world, which served as a precursor to the Albany International Airport, which officially opened in 1920, and has been in continuous use since them.

Also, Albany, New York has a rich arts scene, with several renowned artists calling it home, along with some successful galleries. At the beginning of the spring season, Albany hosts an annual tulip festival, a popular regional event.

Albany is also a diverse city, with residents from a wide range of backgrounds. Albany's thriving artistic community, at least in part, owes its existence to this diversity.

New York is home to several nationally-renowned law schools, including New York University, and Columbia University,as well as some less-known law schools, which are very well-respected locally. Because of this, there is no shortage of Albany, New York lawyers.

Whatever legal problem you might have, it's likely that you can find a competent Albany, New York lawyer, at a fair price.