Answering Your Questions About Bankruptcy And Debt Relief

When most people think of managing their debt, they normally think in general terms. They either think they must file “bankruptcy” or enter a vague “payment plan” with their creditors. There are many other approaches to debt relief.

Levitt & Slafkes, P.C., in Maplewood, New Jersey, will answer your questions and help you find solutions. Our attorneys have decades of experience in bankruptcy law and are effective, knowledgeable and skilled. We can help.

We Offer Practical Solutions

Unlike many debt relief services, our team can negotiate on your behalf and enter into legally enforceable agreements that must be observed by your creditors, including the credit card companies and hospitals. Many debt relief services can only approach your creditors and ask for their cooperation. It is not unusual for these services to keep your money even after the creditors have indicated they will not work with you.

As attorneys, our only duty is to you and your best interests. We are bound by the oath we take in open court when we are licensed. Private debt relief services do not share that legally mandated commitment.

We Can Help You End This Struggle

From our office in Essex County, our lawyers offer clients throughout New Jersey an in-depth understanding of the options made available by the law to manage and discharge debt. These options include:

• Discharging homeowners’ association debt: Due to a twist in the law instituted by lobbyists for the homeowners’ associations, many people often find themselves obligated on homeowner’s association fees even after filing for bankruptcy. We know how to prevent this from happening to you.
• Discharging income taxes in bankruptcy: Contrary to popular belief, taxes can be discharged in bankruptcy. Unfortunately, many people are told that their taxes are nondischargeable. We can show you how the bankruptcy laws allow for your taxes to be handled through payment plans in a Chapter 13 and even eliminated entirely in a Chapter 7.
• Reaffirming your secured debt: Many lenders, especially for cars, insist you agree to pay off your loan even after declaring bankruptcy. Too few people enter into these agreements without fully understanding the consequences should they later become ill or injured. We will help you grasp the real effects that a reaffirmation agreement may have on your fresh start so you can decide whether to sign one with your eyes open.

Our Attorneys Can Protect What You Own

Creditors and collections agents often harass people by claiming they will take all of your assets, including your home, your car and your retirement accounts. The bankruptcy code offers a variety of ways to protect what you own so you can get the fresh start you need. These protections are called bankruptcy exemptions.

Bankruptcy exemptions set out the items you can protect and how valuable those items can be. Exemptions allow clients to keep houses, cars and other belongings so long as they do not exceed a certain value. Unfortunately, these exemptions can be complicated. A miscalculation or misapplication of bankruptcy exemptions can cost you your home or other assets. At Levitt & Slafkes, P.C., we know how to apply these exemptions and protect your property.

Learn More About Our Services

Contact Levitt & Slafkes, P.C., in Maplewood, New Jersey, to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Essex County debt relief and bankruptcy lawyers. You can reach us by filling out our online form or by calling 973-323-2953.

We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.