Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer in New York, New York

Find the right Bankruptcy attorney in New York, NY

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Bankruptcy in New York, New York is a court proceeding through which a person or business who is unable to pay their debt is able to have some of their debt legally absolved, or "discharged." This theoretically allows the debtor to move on with a clean slate. Bankruptcy should be treated as an option of last resort, and should not be viewed as a proper way to get out of debt that you just don't feel like paying. Bankruptcy can have severe consequences, including but not limited to damage to your credit rating. A bad credit score can impact your ability to receive loans in the future, to rent an apartment, and possibly even your ability to get hired at some jobs (as some employers now run credit checks on prospective employees).

Therefore, it is prudent to consult with an experienced New York, New York bankruptcy attorney, who can advise you of the costs and benefits of bankruptcy. Because the decision to file for bankruptcy depends very heavily on the facts of each individual case, the advice of a New York bankruptcy attorney cannot be substituted.

Types of Bankruptcy in New York, New York

In New York, New York, there are three basic bankruptcy schemes that are most often used. They are recognized as Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and Chapter 11. Being a product of federal law, the procedural rules governing bankruptcy in New York, New York will be very similar to those in any other part of the United States. Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires the debtor to liquidate some of his or her assets in order to pay off as much debt as possible. Once the sale of the assets is complete, and the proceeds handed over to the creditors, the debt is viewed as discharged. Liquidation is basically selling assets to the highest bidder. Not all of the debtor's assets will need to be sold, and many types of property are completely or partially exempt, including homes, cars, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. This means that the debtor can keep them. It should be noted that some types of debts are not dischargeable in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, including student loans, criminal fines, taxes, and child support payments. Even when the bankruptcy process is complete, these debts will have to be paid in full.

The other normally used bankruptcy system in New York is Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This allows a debtor to repay most or all of their debts in a structured manner. It reorganizes the debt into lower periodic payments that, with a bit of frugality, the debtor should find manageable. This allows the debtor to continue to earn a living, and allows the creditors to eventually collect what they are owed. Once a repayment plan is approved by the bankruptcy court, creditors are legally barred from seeking repayment under the terms of the contracts that gave rise to the debt in the first place, and will instead have to accept payment under the new plan. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is normally a better option for people who have a steady income. Though Chapter 11 bankruptcy can be used by individuals, it is almost exclusively used by businesses. Similar to Chapter 13, Chapter 11 involves restructuring of debts, rather than complete discharge. The debtor is required to come up with a restructuring plan that lays out how it plans to cut costs, streamline operations, and pay its debts. The plan must then be approved by a vote of participating creditors.

During the Chapter 11 process, a business can normally continue its operations, and the stock can be traded, even if it is de-listed from a major stock exchange.

How Can a New York Bankruptcy Lawyer Help?

The decision to file for bankruptcy in New York is not one to be made lightly, and it certainly should not be made without first obtaining the advice of an accomplished New York bankruptcy attorney.

Talk to a Bankruptcy & Finances Law Attorney now!

Life in New York

Enough cannot be written about New York City. New York City is filled with great night life, wonderful tourist attractions, history, great fashion, and exquisite food. Tourists often love to visit the Empire State Building, Statute of Liberty, Grand Central Terminal, Rockefeller Center, Ellis Island, Staten Island, the American Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Modern Art, and Central Park.

New York is also filled with many great attractions that are not so well known. For a bit of fun, tourists can go Madame Tussaud's to hang out and take pictures with some of the world's most famous celebrities. To experience New York with some speed, people can ride the New York Skyride. To see some breathtaking views, the spot to visit is Top of the Rock. Lastly, New York City is home to the largest Cathedral in the world-The Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

With so much to offer, New York City has not left the legal industry behind. In fact, New York City is home to some of the largest, multinational firms in the world. These firms are filled with ivy-league law graduates, expected to be some of the brightest legal minds in the country. Therefore, it is likely that no legal matter will remain unsolved by the legal force in New York City.