Bankruptcy

We handle Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases for people struggling with home foreclosure, creditor harassment, wage garnishment, automobile repossession, bank account restraints, pending lawsuits, etc. We also help small businesses file Chapter 7 bankruptcy when appropriate.

NY, Jan 1978
Bar Number: 2071520

New York State Bar and the Southern District of New York Bar.

National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, American Bankruptcy Institute, National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, Hudson Valley Bankruptcy Bar Association, Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Orange County Bar Association, and Middletown Bar Association.

I attend continuing legal education seminars on the topic of bankruptcy, and have been a speaker at several seminars involving bankruptcy issues. I always exceed the required number of continuing legal education hours.

Many Chapter 13 cases where second and third mortgages have been avoided and reclassified as unsecured claims, allowing clients to repay them over the life of their Chapter13 plan for a fraction of the amount due. Countless cases where judicial liens encumbering residences have been avoided, thereby removing said liens from the public records. Countless cases where wage garnishments and bank account restraints have been eliminated. Numerous cases where residential mortgages have been successfully modified pursuant to the Loss Mitigation Program adopted by the Southern District of New York in January, 2009.

2

New York

We are a consumer bankruptcy law firm handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. From our Middletown, New York office we serve Orange, Sullivan, Ulster and Dutchess Counties and communities including Middletown, Newburgh, Port Jervis, Goshen, New Windsor, Monticello, Liberty, Ellenville, New Paltz, Kingston, Beacon and Poughkeepsie. We help ordinary people free themselves from debt and regain their peace of mind. We help people regain control of their finances and their lives.

The law firm was formed in 1981 by Guy Hayward and Richard Parker. Christopher Martens joined the law firm in 1984 and remained a member until he became a full-time Middletown City Court Judge in 1991. I joined the law firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1991. Richard Parker passed away at a much too young age, dying in 2006 at the age of 59. Guy Hayward is semi-retired and living in upstate New York. Michael Pinsky joined the firm as a partner in 2009. Michael Pinsky and I are career bankruptcy lawyers dedicated to helping people solve their financial problems.

Associate attorney for Law Office of John C. DiPirro, Esq. from 1978 to 1986.

Chapter 7 Trustee since 1994
BV Distinguished Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Pro Bono work for Legal Services of Hudson Valley

Debbie

(845) 343-1927

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although the attorneys rarely leave before 7:00 p.m. and are usually in on Saturdays as well.

Yes

Fees for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases are determined based upon the complexity of the issues involved and the projected time and number of court appearances that will be required to achieve the client's desired results. However, the legal fees for a generic (i.e., no complicated or time consuming issues) Chapter 7 case start at $1,500, and the legal fees for a generic Chapter 13 case start at $3,500. Clients are also responsible for paying the court's filing fee, which is $306 in a Chapter 7 and $281 in a Chapter 13.

$300

Free consultations are offered, and last as long as necessary to adequately explore a client's problems and options. We usually set aside about an hour and fifteen minutes for a typical consultation.

If a client wants to proceed with a bankruptcy, we ask that they bring in as much of the fee as possible to the initial intake interview. We do not have any minimum amount required. As soon as we receive some money we consider ourselves to be retained, at which time clients are authorized to refer any and all creditor collection calls to our office.