Understanding Alternatives to Bankruptcy in New York
Debt Relief and Bankruptcy Protection in Binghamton
Many people are leery about filing for bankruptcy and wish to pursue bankruptcy alternatives. Some of these alternatives may allow people to get the financial help they need without damaging their credit. It is important, however, to analyze these bankruptcy alternatives with an experienced attorney to make sure that they are not causing more harm than good.
At Orville & McDonald Law, we are always honest with our clients about the benefits and consequences of filing for bankruptcy. If bankruptcy is not in your best interest, we will not recommend it and may offer an alternative to filing for bankruptcy such as debt restructuring and consolidation, mortgage modification, foreclosure defense or a variety of other options..
We will also be honest about these bankruptcy alternatives and what they can offer you in terms of debt relief and protection from creditors Link to Stop Creditor Harassment. There are many companies that prey on the misfortunes of those in debt and are looking to capitalize on their desperation.
Debt Restructuring and Consolidation
Most people have seen or heard television and radio ads that talk about debt restructuring or debt consolidation plans that offer people a way out of debt without having to file for bankruptcy. Many times, these plans offer to negotiate with creditors for lower payments, and the debtor must then make a monthly payment to the debt consolidation company until the debt is settled.
While these programs may sound great, especially since they do not carry the stigma of bankruptcy, they are often dishonest, ineffective or downright illegal. Not all programs fall into these categories, but more often than not, these companies are simply looking to squeeze money out of people who feel they have nowhere else to turn. They take advantage of people, and rarely help them out of debt.
There are a few reputable organizations that provide repayment plans and debt negotiation with creditors that can help you out of debt. In Central New York and the Southern Tier, the Consumer Counseling Center of Central New York (CCCS) has offices in Syracuse and Binghamton and offer an honest assessment of your situation.
It may be more beneficial, however, to contact Link to Contact Us a lawyer at Orville & McDonald Law to get an honest assessment of your situation. We will let you know if debt negotiations, consolidations or other bankruptcy alternatives may work for you, or if bankruptcy is the best option for you.
Mortgage Modification and Foreclosure Defense
If you are falling behind on house payments or are facing foreclosure but are unsure about filing for bankruptcy, Orville & McDonald Law can discuss whether alternatives such as mortgage modification and foreclosure defense are the best option in your situation.
A mortgage modification can help you catch up on payments and protect you from creditor harassment and having to sell your home. You can renegotiate the terms of your loan with your mortgage lender and find various alternatives to make it easier to make payments, including reducing your interest rate and monthly payments, extending the repayment length and even deferring or forgiving a portion of the principal. However, the process of applying and getting approved for a modification can be stressful, which is why you should consult with a lawyer at Orville & McDonald Law to see if mortgage modification is right for you. If you ultimately decide to modify the terms of your mortgage, we can help you with the application process, including explaining any portion of the agreement, helping you make sure you've filled out all the appropriate sections of the application and answering any questions you have about the overall process.
If you are facing the threat of foreclosure, Orville & McDonald Law offer foreclosure defense services to help you buy more time to pay off or sell your home. We can help you protect yourself from aggressive or shady tactics from lenders when foreclosing on your home. Our attorneys will go to great lengths to force your lender to prove they have the authority to foreclose on your home and can even negotiate a solution that doesn't involve foreclosing on your home, such as waiving deficiency judgments, modifying your mortgage or even a cash settlement. In some cases, a foreclosure is the ideal alternative to filing for bankruptcy if you need an extended period of time to either make payments or sell your home.
You should contact a lawyer at Orville & McDonald Law to determine if modifying your mortgage or foreclosure defense is the right alternative for your situation. We've helped clients throughout Johnson City, Vestal, Binghamton, Endicott, Endwell and the surrounding area throughout Central and Upstate New York get the help they need to get out of debt
Call us at (607) 770-1007 for consumer bankruptcy protection and debt relief.
