Fairbanks Fletcher Law PLLC

Capital District Bankruptcy Lawyer- Chapter 7 & 13,Capital District Family Law Lawyer,Capital District Divorce Lawyer

This lawyer is licensed to practice in New York and has no record of discipline from the New York bar association.*

Firm Overview

My firm exclusively handles Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy matters, tax issues (such as offers in compromise and unfiled returns), and real estate closings.

My firm was established in 2005. I like the freedom of being a sole practitioner, including the ability to be flexible regarding fees and matters accepted.

My firm focuses solely on bankruptcy and tax matters, which allows me to fully utilize both my law and accounting degrees.

Example cases

Some clients come to me with credit card debt that is a very old and they haven't used the cards for years. During that time, they tried different ways to resolve the debt, including debt counseling or settlement. Eventually they call me because they either come to the realization that they just will never be able to pay the bill or because they've just been served with a summons. For some others, the call me because they are behind on their mortgage or car loan and reclamation of that property is being threatened by the bank through a foreclosure action or repossession. Whatever the reason for their call to me, I can help them regain control over their finances, help them keep their property, and resolve their debt problems through bankruptcy.

Main Office

Main
26F Congress St #247
Saratoga Springs NY 12866

Phone

(518) 581-8600

Fax

(518) 874-0806

Websites

http://www.fairbanksfletcherlaw.com

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

I offer a free, 30-minute initial consultation, by phone or in person.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

Bankruptcy fees are fixed.

Hourly Rates

Varies depending on the type of matter.

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday 9:00 a.m.to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday 9:00 a.m.to 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday 9:00 a.m.to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m.to 6:30 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Saturday hours by appointment.

Emergency After Hours

Yes

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

I'm a numbers person. I have a BS in accounting and a tax concentration from Albany Law School. Bankruptcy is numbers-driven, so it's a good fit for me.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I have a lot of client who do their homework. I believe it's important for them to be part of the process. However, at the same time, it's also important to allow the attorney to interpret the research, because it's sometimes outdated or being read incorrectly. I take the time to explain why we're taking certain tacts, because I want them to understand and be involved in their own case, instead of just telling them what's being done.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I will review documents prepared by clients in the course of my representation of that client. I do not otherwise review documents.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

While it is the right of individuals to represent themselves in court, I will only become involved once officially hired by a client as his or her attorney. For ethical reasons, I do not offer coaching services for pro se individuals.

Elizabeth Fairbanks-Fletcher

Department of Justice, Office of the U.S. Trustee, Albany, NY - Law clerk focused primarily on bankruptcy petition auditing.

Various Law Firms, Saratoga Springs, NY - Attorney, Law Clerk handling real estate and title work on an as-needed basis.

Rhythm and News Magazine, Wappingers Falls, NY - Publisher, Editor-in-Chief/Journalist, Graphic Artist, Radio Producer. Music publication featuring interviews with top national musicians along with unsigned artist spotlights. Also produced "On Stage" radio program, heard on WPDH (Poughkeepsie, NY) and WRRV (Middletown, NY). Also co-hosted and produced "Hudson Valley Now," a public affairs program heard on WPDH (http://wpdh.com/).

Poughkeepsie Journal, (Gannett Newspapers), Poughkeepsie, NY - Full-charge Page Editor and project development with executive editor.

Working for the United States Trustee as part of their bankruptcy team was invaluable experience for me. It offered me an allowed me to see what trustees view as actionable issues in a consumer debtor's bankruptcy petition. In addition, certainly my numerous continuing legal education classes in matrimonial and family law offered great insight.

I am compassionate, friendly and take a down-to-earth approach to my clients. I work hard on their behalf to get them the desired results. I often work on weekends or late into the evening to take care of a client's needs.

Personal interests:

• Music - I am a pianist, singer/songwriter, and producer with numerous recording credits, including credits with major artists.
• Internet and Design - Web designer and computer programmer, graphic artist.
• Journalism - Frequent contributor to various publications and online magazines on the law, new media and music.
• Animal rights - a portion of my income each month is donated to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

License

Bar Number: 4307328
New York , 2005

Education

Albany Law School
Juris Doctorate; Certificate, Tax Law , 2004
Albany, NY
Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association Justin Mahoney Memorial Prize.
Medal of Excellence, presented by the American Bankruptcy Institute and Albany Law School (based on academic excellence, national award).
Department of Justice, Attorney General's Honors Program, U.S. Trustee's Offices, Washington, DC.
Dean's List.
Top 27% of the graduating class.
Tax and bankruptcy law major.
Marist College
B.S. , 2001
Poughkeepsie, NY
Summa cum laude.
Dean's List.
Research Project: An International Investigation of Depreciation Expense and Other Accruals as Predictors of Future Cash Flows.
New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Award for Superior Scholarship in Accounting Studies (based on academic excellence).
State Farm Outstanding Student Fellowship (based on academic excellence, national award).
Marist College Scholarship for Academic Excellence (based on academic excellence)
Award for General Excellence at Marist College Graduation (based on academic excellence).
Accounting major.
Dutchess Community College
A.S. , 1999
Poughkeepsie, NY
Honors (GPA: 4.0).
Dean's List.
Mathematics (Statistics) Honors Program.
Peer Tutor, Macroeconomics.
English Independent Study.
Honors Program: Phi Theta Kappa - "Pursuit of Happiness: Conflicting Visions and Values in the Music Business."
President, Phi Theta Kappa, Honor Society.
Editor, The Chronicle, campus newspaper.
Guistwhite Scholar of Phi Theta Kappa (based on academic excellence, national award).
All-New York State, First Academic Team, Phi Theta Kappa (based on academic excellence).
History, Government and Economics Departmental Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Sciences: Economics (based on academic excellence).
Dutchess United Educators Award for Academic Excellence (based on academic excellence).
Rochell Stein Scholarship (based on academic excellence).
Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship (based on academic excellence).
Joseph Y. Resnick Transfer Scholarship (based on academic excellence).
Academic award for graduate with highest GPA (4.0) in the Business and Technologies Department (based on academic excellence).
George N. Freedman Scholarship for Outstanding Business Student (based on academic excellence).
Chosen by the Dutchess Community College Steering Committee for acceptance into the Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY) Exploring Transfer program (based on academic excellence).
Nominated for the All-USA Academic Team for Community and Junior Colleges (based on academic excellence).
Business administration major.
Albany Law School
Juris Doctorate; Certificate, Tax Law , 2004
Albany, NY
Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association Justin Mahoney Memorial Prize.
Medal of Excellence, presented by the American Bankruptcy Institute and Albany Law School (based on academic excellence, national award).
Department of Justice, Attorney General's Honors Program, U.S. Trustee's Offices, Washington, DC.
Dean's List.
Top 27% of the graduating class.
Tax and bankruptcy law major.
Marist College
B.S. , 2001
Poughkeepsie, NY
Summa cum laude.
Dean's List.
Research Project: An International Investigation of Depreciation Expense and Other Accruals as Predictors of Future Cash Flows.
New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Award for Superior Scholarship in Accounting Studies (based on academic excellence).
State Farm Outstanding Student Fellowship (based on academic excellence, national award).
Marist College Scholarship for Academic Excellence (based on academic excellence)
Award for General Excellence at Marist College Graduation (based on academic excellence).
Accounting major.
Dutchess Community College
A.S. , 1999
Poughkeepsie, NY
Honors (GPA: 4.0).
Dean's List.
Mathematics (Statistics) Honors Program.
Peer Tutor, Macroeconomics.
English Independent Study.
Honors Program: Phi Theta Kappa - "Pursuit of Happiness: Conflicting Visions and Values in the Music Business."
President, Phi Theta Kappa, Honor Society.
Editor, The Chronicle, campus newspaper.
Guistwhite Scholar of Phi Theta Kappa (based on academic excellence, national award).
All-New York State, First Academic Team, Phi Theta Kappa (based on academic excellence).
History, Government and Economics Departmental Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Sciences: Economics (based on academic excellence).
Dutchess United Educators Award for Academic Excellence (based on academic excellence).
Rochell Stein Scholarship (based on academic excellence).
Alumni Association Graduate Scholarship (based on academic excellence).
Joseph Y. Resnick Transfer Scholarship (based on academic excellence).
Academic award for graduate with highest GPA (4.0) in the Business and Technologies Department (based on academic excellence).
George N. Freedman Scholarship for Outstanding Business Student (based on academic excellence).
Chosen by the Dutchess Community College Steering Committee for acceptance into the Vassar College (Poughkeepsie, NY) Exploring Transfer program (based on academic excellence).
Nominated for the All-USA Academic Team for Community and Junior Colleges (based on academic excellence).
Business administration major.

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