From Attorney Marc Capone

Facing your bankruptcy issues is your first step to peace of mind.

In my thirteen years as a bankruptcy attorney, I've seen what money concerns do to people.

The one image I can't shake is the sight of panicked clients coming to my office for the first time. Often they're carrying a shopping bag full of three months worth of unopened bills. They tell me they could not face what they owed. They tell me about their sleepless nights. They tell me they've given up. They tell me they feel like crawling into a ball.They hope this will all go away. Some clients come without shopping bags because they've thrown out those bills altogether.

It's powerful stuff. Some of these people tell me it has taken them four of five months even to admit they have a serious problem. Like ostriches with their heads in the sand, they don't want to face their biggest fear, which is losing their homes to foreclosure. But your problem is not going to go away unless you address it.

If you have found this web site, you may be in the same predicament. How did it all start? Often, it started because of a single traumatic event. It might have been the loss of a job, a divorce, or your child's illness. The decrease or absence of income for even a short time can suddenly create a downward spiral. Even the most financially responsible individuals can find themselves in a financial tailspin.

If you're living this nightmare and don't know where to turn, you've come to the right person. I can and want to help you.

Filing for bankruptcy may not be what you think.

Many people misunderstand bankruptcy. They think they must surrender all their possessions and properties. I have had clients tell me that had they known all the things bankruptcy could do for them, they would have come to me six months earlier.

Many people ask about the new laws about bankruptcy. I'm happy to say that the new laws have not changed the protections that bankruptcy affords most people.

So, what are you waiting for?

Gain peace of mind.

The number one comment I hear after clients meet with me is that they are finally going to be able to sleep at night. The most pressing concern for most people is to stop creditors from hounding them, which bankruptcy can accomplish. But that's not the only relief. Once you realize that you're not going to lose everything, you gain peace of mind. And that means you're well on your way to restoring everything that matters to you.

Take advantage of my free consultation. Discuss your problems with New Jersey Bankruptcy Lawyers early.

The best thing you can do when you're in serious financial straits is to address your issues early. That way your debts are not so great and foreclosure proceedings are not so far along.

One thing to keep in mind is that your case is unique. Some people who approach me for the first time are discouraged because they have friends who had a disappointing experience when filing for bankruptcy. You won't know how bankruptcy can help you unless you meet with a highly experienced professional who can address your special circumstances.

And because I offer a free consultation, there's no reason for you not to stop by.

In some other bankruptcy firms, you may never meet the attorney who handles your case.

Remember, if I become your bankruptcy attorney, you will always meet with me. I will be the person formulating your plan. I will be the one you speak with on the phone. And I stand by the expertise that I have to share with you. I am a bankruptcy attorney that other bankruptcy attorneys turn to when their cases are too complicated. My professional colleagues have this confidence in me, and so can you.

What you don't know about bankruptcy may hurt you. Let's work together so that you can reclaim your life. Below are some questions frequently asked by my clients:

Q. I have received letters and solicitations from individuals and companies telling me that I can save my home and avoid filing bankruptcy. Are their claims true?
A. The short answer is NO. These are predators, preying on your assumed lack of knowledge about how bankruptcy works, how your credit scores work and on your fear of losing your home. These people want to “steal” your home from you and they do this for a living. You owe it to yourself and to your family to speak to a knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney before you even consider such a drastic step as responding to one of these solicitors. A free consultation with Capone and Keefe can explain how the foreclosure process works, how the bankruptcy process works and how your credit scores are affected. Capone and Keefe can lay out all your options for you so that you have the information necessary to make an informed, knowledgeable decision about the course of action you should take. At the very least, you owe that to your family and yourself.

Q. I am presently out of work or disabled and have limited income. Is it still possible to file a Chapter 13 and save my home from foreclosure?
A. Absolutely. While a Chapter 13 does require that an individual have regular income, that income can come from any number of sources, including unemployment, Social Security, family contributions, rent, etc. Additionally, there are numerous creative plans of reorganization that can be filed with the Bankruptcy Court, all of which will result in your saving your home from foreclosure. Capone and Keefe takes special pride in its ability to craft a Chapter 13 plan that fits your specific needs.

Q. If I file a bankruptcy, will my credit be ruined forever?
A. Absolutely NOT. What you need to understand is that if you are presently in the position of considering filing a bankruptcy, your credit is most likely damaged. By filing a Chapter 13 and stopping the downward spiral, you will actually begin to rebuild your credit. It will depend on what you do post-filing. If you make all of your post-filing mortgage payments in a timely fashion, you will begin to rebuild your credit. If you make all of your trustee payments in a timely fashion, you will begin to rebuild your credit. Our New Jersey Bankruptcy Lawyers work closely with various mortgage companies that have very good “bankruptcy bailout” programs. We have had very good success refinancing clients out of their Chapter 13 case once they have re-established credit worthiness. Capone and Keefe can place you in touch with these mortgage companies prior to filing your case so that you can see what you will need to accomplish within your Chapter 13 case to re-establish your credit.

Q. Are there alternatives to filing bankruptcy?
A. Yes. If your financial problems are only temporary, it is sometimes possible to negotiate with each individual creditor and request that each creditor accept lower payments or grant an extended payment schedule. If you are in foreclosure, most mortgage companies have a Loss Mitigation Department, whose purpose is to help customers who have defaulted on their mortgage loans. These departments will generally request a significant amount of financial information from you, similar to when you originally applied for the mortgage. Normally, it then takes months before they inform you of whether or not they can help you. Be very wary of counting on this route being the solution to your problem. For starters, the mortgage company will be proceeding with its foreclosure action the entire time you are dealing with the Loss Mitigation Department. Secondly, more often than not, the best deal the mortgage company will offer you is to pay half of your arrears immediately, with the other half paid out over 6 months, in conjunction with the resumption of your regular monthly mortgage payments. However, by the time the Loss Mitigation Department makes this type of offer, the arrears are so significant that most people can’t come up with that type of lump sum payment.

Q. What is the difference between a Chapter 7 bankruptcy and a Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
A. Primarily the difference is that a Chapter 7 is liquidation and Chapter 13 is reorganization.

In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, a trustee is appointed to administer the assets of your estate. The Chapter 7 trustee's function is to determine if there is any value in your personal and/or real property above and beyond what the bankruptcy code allows you to exempt. The Chapter 7 trustee will liquidate any non-exempt property and use those proceeds to pay your creditors. Upon completion of the liquidation process or upon the Trustee’s determination that there are no assets to be liquidated, you will be discharged from your remaining, unsecured, dischargeable debt.

In a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, a trustee is appointed, however, you remain in possession of all of your assets. In return, you file a plan with the bankruptcy court outlining how you will reorganize. Certain debts have to be paid back, like mortgage arrears, real estate tax arrears, and certain income tax debts. Other debts such as credit card debt, medical bills, and certain income tax obligations may be paid back in full, partially, or not at all, depending on factors specific to your particular situation. Upon completion of your plan, which can take from 36 to 60 months, you will receive your discharge.