Both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy are rights you have under federal law to gain relief from creditors. It’s a legal proceeding which can give you a fresh start. But both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy have advantages and disadvantages, namely what they can help with and the time it will take.
There is also a common question, how much does filing bankruptcy cost? Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York is different as most states have different laws on things like exemptions. What is the same is the filing price.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New York costs around $299 to file with the court. The fees for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York are about $274 for filing with the court. Those expenses may seem small, especially if you know the benefits of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York.
So what can bankruptcy do for you?
-Eliminate most debts
-Stop foreclosure of a home
-Stop the “Repo” men from getting your car or other property
-Stop wage garnishments
-Stop creditor harassment
-Keep your utilities going
-Get your drivers license back in many cases
Bankruptcy is a good alternative to losing all your possessions, but with the new laws making it harder to file in certain cases, hiring professional bankruptcy attorneys can save you a lot of time and money. It isn’t always a good choice to file bankruptcy. Also, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy have limitations in what they can do.
Bankruptcy Can’t:
-Eliminate certain rights of creditors
-Erase debts you gained after bankruptcy
-Discharge child support, alimony, some divorce related debts, most student loans, taxes, and others
The above info is important. Your creditors will still have rights. In terms of costs, neither Chapter 7 nor Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings are incredibly expensive. The real problem is choosing between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and the best way to do that is with professional counsel. While filing costs little, hiring a bankruptcy attorney typically costs more. The rates are different, but a few things are clear.
Some bankruptcy attorneys in New York and elsewhere will charge you just for the initial consultation. This makes it important to ask questions before even the first consultation. Also, all bankruptcy attorneys are required by law to show you and the the courts how much they are charging you.
One of the key advantages in filing bankruptcy is making certain property exempt. New York law, for example, allows protection of your home, car, and other properties to a certain extent. But this is where it can be complicated and where the right attorney can help.
Filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York may not be free, but it’s more than worth it if you have outstanding debts you simply cannot pay back. Instead of waiting for the creditors, call an attorney with the experience to help you.
Tags: Chapter 13 Title 11 United States Code, Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney, Chapter 7 Title 11 United States Code, Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer, chapter 7 bankruptcy new york, Law, Liquidation, United States
