Specializing in Personal Bankruptcy

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Answers to Common Bankruptcy Questions

At Butwinick Law Office, we're to help you learn about your bankruptcy options and to provide solid legal advice. While each person's situation is different, we've listed some general answers to frequently-asked questions.  For answers specific to your situation, please contact us to schedule a free initial consultation.

 

Q:  What are some of the immediate benefits of filing for bankruptcy?
A:  Many people in these situations are experiencing payroll garnishments, collections calls, and letters from legal departments regarding balances due. Getting your bankruptcy petition filed can stop many of these items, bringing you immediate relief and the ability to start over.

 

Q:  Will I lose my home or car?  How much of my current assets can be protected?

A:  State and federal law allow different protection limits in different categories (home, car, clothes, etc.), plus a wild card exemption.  While each situation must be examined on an individual basis, many of our clients have been able to keep their home, car, and important personal property. Please click here to learn more about assets that can be protected and other technical information about filing for bankruptcy.

 

Q:  What bankruptcy experience does Butwinick Law Office have?

A:  Jeff has been practicing bankruptcy since 2002. He has been involved in hundreds of matters in bankruptcy court. While the beginning of his career was spent at a large firm, he has been developing his own practice since 2006, which allows him to be more responsive to his clients, on an individual level.

 

Jeff has helped people facing financial difficulty with the following issues:

• Wage garnishments
• Bank account garnishments
• Credit card lawsuits
• Foreclosures
• Short sales
• Harassing debt collectors
• Fresh starts
• Rebuilding credit
• Medical bills
• Money judgments
• Divorce

Q:  This is embarrassing for me. What should I do?

A:  People try to avoid filing for bankruptcy out of a sense of pride.  Deciding whether or not to file for bankruptcy is a very difficult decision, and you don't need to do it alone – let us help you determine whether bankruptcy is an appropriate option for you. This is our area of expertise and we are here to help, not judge.  Please contact us today to learn about your options.

 

Q:  I'm working a day job and don't want my coworkers to find out.  How much time will I need to take off from work?

A:  Butwinick Law Office's process generally allows for the client to take only a half-day off from work, which is the one-time court meeting. Our evening and weekend availability allows you to make inquiries in the privacy of your home, without having to worry about coworkers or supervisors finding out. We can also schedule phone meetings at your break time.  That way, you will only need to take a few hours off of work when your court meeting comes up.  There are many ways our office can make the bankruptcy process proceed with minimal disruption to your professional obligations.

 

Q:  How much will the bankruptcy process cost?

A:  Butwinick Law Office handles your case on a flat-fee basis, not hourly, with the fees and entire process explained up-front. That way, you don't need to worry about incurring an hourly rate fee should additional questions arise. During your free initial consultation, the rates will be explained clearly, and you will receive a take-home packet that outlines the bankruptcy process from beginning to end. In general, fees are as follows:

• Legal fee, varies by complexity of case
• $299 Filing Fee
• $50 each for 2 required courses, per person

While it is not common, additional fees may be required if you have complicated issues, or if you submit incomplete information and additional work is required after you have approved your final petition as complete.  When this comes up, we will explain your options.

 

Q:  Can I set up a payment plan?

A:  Yes. Butwinick Law Office offers very flexible payment plans. We understand that you may not have the entire fee at once.  However, we do not start preparing your bankruptcy petition until the fees are paid in full. This is because the bankruptcy petition must contain very current debt data in order for all eligible debts to be discharged, and the bankruptcy rules require that full payment is received before the completed petition is filed with the court.  In other words, if you provide us with debt information in June, but you cannot pay in full until December, your debts will likely have changed, and the wrong information will be supplied to the courts.

 

Therefore, it is to your advantage to make full payment a priority, so your petition can be filed quickly, the garnishments and harassing creditor calls can be stopped, andyou can get a fresh start much sooner.

 

To learn more about bankruptcy options, please submit your contact information to our office, along with a good time to contact you.  Evenings and weekends are okay. Contact us today to take the next step in moving forward.

 

Disclaimer: The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is subject to change at any time.  It should not be construed as legal advice and should not be used as the sole factors in making your decisions.  We encourage you to contact us for more information. If the information here differs from current laws and statutes, official laws and statutes prevail.

 

The content of this website is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice, advertisement, or solicitation. Information exchanged via this website or electronic mail does not constitute an attorney-client relationship; such relationship is only established with an engagement letter signed by a licensed attorney of this firm. The Butwinick Law Office is a debt relief agency.