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Serving the lower hudson valley, rockland, westchester and orange counties
Are you facing overwhelming debt in the Rockland County area? Are you being subjected to creditor harassment, wage garnishment, repossession, or foreclosure? Many Americans are in financial crisis due to job loss, reduced wages, costly illnesses, accidents, or divorce, relocation, stock portfolio and retirement fund losses, and just plain financial mistakes. Whatever the cause of your financial distress, legitimate legal solutions exist that can help you wipe the slate clean and give you a fresh start. That is the service our firm provides for those who need it. We recommend that you contact a Rockland County bankruptcy lawyer at the Koplen Law Firm as soon as possible for a consultation about your financial situation.
We understand the difficult circumstances you may be in and will work vigorously to help you remedy them. You will have lots of questions and concerns about how to accomplish a debt relief program that will best suit your needs, what bankruptcy entails, and how to proceed. Our attorneys have decades of legal experience in both state and federal courts and can provide the comprehensive and knowledgeable representation you need, guiding you step by step through the legal process that will resolve your crushing debt and secure your future. The attorneys at the Koplen Law Firm, under the leadership of renowned attorney Michael A. Koplen maintain an up-to-date understanding of bankruptcy laws and has helped hundreds of individuals regain their financial footing through all types of bankruptcy filings, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
Cases We Handle
In addition to handling all types of bankruptcy cases, our law firm can provide legal assistance with matters involving divorce and family law, criminal defense, personal injury, sexual harassment, and employment discrimination as well. Our lead attorney, Michael Koplen, has extensive experience as a trial lawyer, legislator, Civil Court Arbitrator, Assistant County Attorney, Trustee, Deputy Mayor, and Paralegal College Director, giving him the background to effectively represent you as a client in many areas. His successes as a trial attorney have been published in the New York Law Journal and other publications.
Consult with a Rockland County Bankruptcy Lawyer
In today’s tough economic times, debt relief and bankruptcy have become important issues for many people who require the comprehensive knowledge and assistance of a qualified attorney. At our firm, we strive to provide that quality representation effectively and efficiently and to ensure that you achieve every legal benefit available. When you retain the services of our attorney, you can be confident that your case will get the personal attention and care that it deserves.
Read Michael Koplen’s answers to common questions on legal website Avvo.com
Can you take vacations while in chapter 13 bankruptcy?: I know of someone who may be abusing the bankruptcy system by taking Florida vacations every 6 months (he has timeshare), still has to pay for airfare, meals, entertainment, admission to the parks, etc. Plays golf 2 times a week (not an inexpensive sport). Plays golf tournaments whenever he can, I have seen his bankruptcy petition and he allowance is only $40 (forty) for entertainment a month. This may be legal but it doesnt seem ethical. He has no money for his creditors but his lifestyle won’t suffer any.
Asked about 1 month ago in Bankruptcy
Michael’s answer: Unless you are a creditor or trustee, this is really not your business. That being said, a chapter 13 debtor may in fact take vacations, and engage in other leisure activities. Bankruptcy is not a punishment. As long as he is up to date in his plan payments, he is free to enjoy his “fresh start” in life, and you should butt out.
Answered about 1 month ago.
Any advise with dealing with jg wentworth. They are offering me 21k for 120 payments of 300.00 mo. Against my annuity that..: Has 15 years left before the final payment. They are telling me that I don’t have to worry about any taxes or fees except for the 300 A mo. I have researched them on the web and the stories and reviews are vauge and mixed
Answered about 1 month ago.
Michael’s answer: Unquestionably they are paying far less than the annuity itself would pay out over time. You need to calculate the amount the annuity would pay over time and compare that to what they are offering you and decide if the difference is worth it to you. The advantage is you get a chunk of money up front; the disadvantage is that you are selling your annuity to an investor at a steep discount. With respect to taxes, you should consult a CPA to determine tax consequences of a sale. You are not asking a legal question; you are asking a business question.
Answered about 1 month ago.
My no asset chapter 7 was reopened over a year ago based on the trustee stating I had failed to declare my portion of a house: My lawyer had not put the house on the original statement as my ex was living in the house and it was in his name only. At court I had declared the house and explained that it was omitted from the list of assets. The trustee them stated it needed to be an asste and he was going to send letters to my ex requesting the house be placed on the market (which he did) The house at that point (2009) was not worth much needing work. My case was then closed in Dec 2009.The house was placed on the market by my ex for quite alot more money. He also contacted the trustee to inform him of this who reopened the case in March 2011 House did not sell and now my ex is telling me I have no intrest in the house as the trustee “owns” my half. Do i have a voice in this
Asked about 1 month ago in Bankruptcy
Michael’s answer: The fact that you were once an owner of the house should have been disclosed on the petition, in the Statement of Financial Affairs (“SOFA”). The trustee should have ascertained the circumstances of the transfer to your ex. If it was for no consideration, this opens a can of worms. Since you did not provide sufficient information in your question to a number issues that have to be addressed, you should reach out immediately to an experienced bankruptcy attorney who will be able to sort out the situation and give you good advice. Something is amiss here, and it needs to be straightened out.
Answered about 1 month ago. See all of Michael’s answers
Serving the Hudson Valley Area of New York.
Koplen Law Firm serves Rockland County, Orange County, Putnam County and Westchester County. Our clients come from all over the Hudson Valley, including Carmel, Clarkstown, Croton Falls, Goshen, Haverstraw Village, West Haverstraw, Mahopac, Monsey, Nanuet, Newburgh, New City, Nyack, Orangetown, Pearl River, Poughkeepsie, Ramapo, Spring Valley, Stony Point, Suffern, and Warwick.