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Rafael Gomez

Rafael Gomez

The Law Office of Rafael Gomez
259 Union Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601

Phone: (201) 646-9799  |  Fax: (201) 646-9476
http://www.gomezlegal.com
http://www.gomezlegal.com/faq.htm

Contact Rafael Gomez

Divorce Attorney Bergen County, NJ

Legal Topic

Divorce

Preferred New Clients

We prefer to handle only uncontested divorce cases.

Sub-Categories

Divorce
  • Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
  • Child Support
  • Restraining Orders
  • Uncontested Divorce

Legal Topic

Family Law

Preferred New Clients

We prefer to handle only uncontested divorce cases.

Sub-Categories

Family Law
  • Restraining Orders
Children
  • Child Support

Legal Topic

Bankruptcy

Preferred New Clients

We prefer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy cases and small business bankruptcies.

Sub-Categories

Bankruptcy
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 7
  • Personal Bankruptcy

Bar Admissions

NJ, Dec 1992

Other Court Admissions

State of New Jersey, the United States Federal District Court of New Jersey, and the United States Supreme Court.

Association Memberships

I have enjoyed memberships in N.A.C.B.A. (National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, A.B.I. (American Bankruptcy Institute), Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, and the American Bar Association.

Continuing Education

I attend continuing legal education programs in Bankruptcy Law and the new Bankruptcy Law.

Example Cases

A woman in her mid-fifties had her hours at her job cut from five days per week to three days per week. As a result, she fell behind on all of her bills. Since her income was so drastically cut because her employer was having financial difficulty, she had to file bankruptcy. We filed a Chapter 7 case and relieved her of almost $30,000 in credit card bills and $5,000 in hospital and medical bills.

A young truck driver accumulated over $6,000 in Motor Vehicle Surcharges from numerous traffic violations that had accumulated over the years. His credit card bills had also become unmanageable. We were able to discharge the $6,000 in Motor Vehicle Surcharges in bankruptcy, in addition to discharging all of his credit card debts. As a result, he had enough money left over every month to be able to buy a newer truck and start fresh.

Education

Degree:

Juris Doctor

School:

Rutgers University

City:

Newark

State:

NJ

Year:

1992

Focus and Accomplishments:

Mock Trial Competition.

 

Degree:

B.A.

School:

Rutgers University

City:

New Brunswick

State:

NJ

Year:

1987

Number of Attorneys

1

State Licensed In

New Jersey

Firm Focus and History

Our office focuses on removing the stress that financial problems bring to clients' lives. We pride ourselves on our "bed-side manner" and try to help clients eliminate the worry and sleepless nights that come with the decision to consult a lawyer about bankruptcy. All bankruptcy consultations are free and fully informative. We want clients to feel confident about their choices by answering as many questions as they feel are necessary to help them make informed decisions.

The Law Office of Rafael Gomez has been representing clients with debt problems for over eleven years. We have successfully assisted hundreds of clients with wage garnishments, bank account levies and repossessions while respecting our clients' privacy and sense of dignity.

Previous Employment Summary

• Private practice
• Criminal Trial Defense Attorney, Essex County, New Jersey
• Law Clerk/Attorney Bergen County Prosecutor's Office
• Law Clerk to Hon. Donald Reenstra, Passaic County Criminal Court

Activities and Awards

Our office has previously discounted legal fees for clients who have faced significant and catastrophic financial losses.

What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

It is always important for clients to educate themselves so they may make more informed choices.

Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?

This is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

The best advice for anyone who wants to represent him/herself is to not do it. A lawyer has typically filed hundreds/thousands of bankruptcy cases in his practice. Someone representing him/herself has never filed a bankruptcy case in his/her life. Experience is golden when it comes to legal matters. You are paying for experience as well as the labor involved in filing your case.

Why did you decide to be a lawyer?

Being a lawyer is intellectually and emotionally challenging work.

What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?

The fact that I speak two other languages in addition to English makes me accessible to more clients and gives me a more complete perspective of the world from a cultural point of view. I have learned that clients appreciate professionals who are multi-dimensional.

Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?

It is rewarding to stand-up for the "little guy" who may be a victim of predatory lenders and unscrupulous debt collectors.

What do you like best about your career?

Learning from my clients' life experiences.

Tell us about your law firm:

My paralegal and staff are courteous and fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. They usually help clients with most of their follow-up questions on the telephone and via email. Please visit www.gomezlegal.comlink to learn more about our firm.

What are your strengths and style?

I listen attentively and allow clients to express their feelings freely. I try not to interrupt.

Personal Interests:

Traveling to different parts of the world and learning from new cultures.

Office Manager/Assistant

Tatiana and Jackie.

Fax

(201) 646-9476

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Emergency After Hours

No

Foreign Languages

Spanish and Portuguese spoken and written fluently.

Fixed-Price Services and Fees

The typical consumer bankruptcy case may range from $1,500 to $2,500. Other cases may have higher fees, depending on their complexity and amount of hours needed to complete the case.

Hourly Rates

Most bankruptcy cases are completed on a flat-fee basis.

Free Initial Consultation?

Yes, we offer a free initial bankruptcy consultation. We don't have a fixed length of time for consultations. Every consultation (like every client) is unique.

You may visit www.gomezlegal.com/about.htm to learn more about the firm.

Typical Retainer

A typical retainer may be in the neighborhood of $1,500, with a reasonable payment plan to help clients pay for their case little by little.

Understanding Fees

Nolo's Licensing Check

Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.

Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.