Brooklyn Bankruptcy Lawyer

Last updated on December 18, 2025

Many Americans fear the stigma of bankruptcy. They may see the process as a financial white flag or a humiliating failure. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Bankruptcy is a legal and respectable way for individuals and corporations in tough situations to regain their financial footing. It offers a fresh start, free from the constant fear of creditors and collection agencies.

The Law Office of Gregory Messer has helped consumers and businesses find debt relief for over four decades. As a compassionate and experienced bankruptcy attorney, Gregory Messer understands the unique challenges facing people in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens.

When Should You File For Bankruptcy?

Deciding to file for bankruptcy is a major decision. It is often a viable option after other debt relief strategies have failed. Attorney Messer helps clients understand their options and determine if bankruptcy is the right path forward.

Filing for bankruptcy may be a sound choice if you are experiencing:

• Overwhelming credit card debt: Your credit card payments have become unmanageable. You can only make minimum payments, or worse, none at all.
• Constant creditor harassment: You face aggressive collection efforts, including lawsuits, wage garnishments or liens.
• Impending foreclosure or repossession: You are behind on your mortgage or car payments and risk losing your home or vehicle.
• Large medical debt: An unexpected illness or injury has left you with medical bills you cannot afford.
• A significant financial hardship: You have suffered a job loss, divorce or other life-changing event that ended your regular income.

These are often clear signs that it is time to seek a legal remedy for your financial problems.

How Can A Brooklyn Bankruptcy Lawyer Help With Your Case?

The complexities of bankruptcy law can feel overwhelming, but a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney makes all the difference.

A bankruptcy attorney’s role is to guide you through every step of the process. This includes:

• Comprehensive case evaluation: A qualified lawyer will analyze your financial situation to determine the best bankruptcy option and if you qualify.
• Preparation and filing: Filing for bankruptcy requires extensive paperwork. An attorney ensures all forms are accurate and filed correctly with the court.
• Stopping creditor actions: Once the case is filed, the attorney enforces the “automatic stay.” This court order immediately halts most creditor harassment, including phone calls, lawsuits and wage garnishments.
• Court representation: Your attorney prepares you for and accompanies you to the meeting of creditors and represents you in court.
• Negotiating with creditors and trustees: In a Chapter 13 case, your attorney negotiates a workable repayment plan with creditors. In both Chapter 7 and 13 cases, the attorney works with the trustee to protect your assets and ensure a smooth process.
• Providing reassurance: A skilled attorney will offer guidance and support throughout the process, helping to alleviate your anxiety and giving you confidence in your decisions.

While the process involves a great deal of technical information and legal procedures, Mr. Messer focuses on making clients feel at ease. His experience as a Panel Trustee in the southern and eastern districts of New York since 1980 gives him a unique and comprehensive understanding of the bankruptcy system. With over 45 years of experience and a board certification in consumer bankruptcy since 1995, Mr. Messer has the skills to make even the most anxious clients feel at ease as they take this important step toward a better financial future.

Types Of Bankruptcy

With an understanding of the attorney’s role, you can explore the different types of bankruptcy. Attorney Messer can help you determine the right type of bankruptcy filing for your specific circumstances.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 is the most common form of bankruptcy for individuals. It gives debtors a fresh start by stopping collection calls and delaying foreclosures. In a Chapter 7 case, a bankruptcy trustee sells any nonexempt assets to pay creditors. State and federal exemptions, however, allow most debtors to keep their property. Thanks to his deep knowledge of exemptions, Mr. Messer can protect all of a debtor’s assets in the vast majority of Chapter 7 cases.

Certain corporations and partnerships also qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcies.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets debtors keep their property by reorganizing debts into a manageable form. Under a Chapter 13 plan, debtors pay off all or most of their bills through a court-approved payment plan over a three- to five-year period. A court-appointed trustee receives monthly payments from the debtor and distributes assets to creditors based on the plan.

This type of bankruptcy also shields family members, business partners and loan co-signers from losses due to your bankruptcy. It lets you keep many assets if you make your monthly payments on time.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Chapter 11 bankruptcy is for businesses that can pay off their debts through restructuring. A business that files Chapter 11 often remains open as it develops a debt repayment plan. A court-appointed trustee supervises the business to ensure compliance with reorganization guidelines.

How Are Chapter 7 And Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Different?

Both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 provide powerful debt relief, but they operate on fundamentally different principles. The main distinction lies in whether you liquidate your assets or reorganize your debt. An initial consultation with attorney Messer is the best way to determine the most appropriate solution for your financial situation.

Here is a breakdown of the key differences:

• Liquidation versus repayment plan: Chapter 7 involves selling nonexempt assets to pay creditors. Chapter 13 requires a repayment plan where you make monthly payments over a three- to five-year period.
• Income requirements: To qualify for Chapter 7, you must pass a “means test,” which evaluates your income. Chapter 13 is for individuals with a regular income who can afford monthly payments.
• Speed: Chapter 7 cases are typically much faster, often concluding in three to six months. Chapter 13 cases last for the duration of the repayment plan.
• Asset protection: Chapter 7 can lead to the sale of nonexempt assets, but Chapter 13 allows you to keep all your property as long as you follow the repayment plan.
• Co-signer protection: Chapter 13 protects co-signers on personal debts. Chapter 7 does not.

Understanding these distinctions and getting your questions answered is the first step toward making an informed decision about your financial future.

How Much Does It Cost To File Bankruptcy In New York?

The cost of filing for bankruptcy in New York is primarily the court filing fees, set by the federal government. These fees are the same regardless of which attorney you hire. The cost is different for each type of bankruptcy and may change over time. As of February 2024, the filing fee for a Chapter 7 case is $338, while the fee for a Chapter 13 case is $313.

In addition to the filing fee, a significant portion of the cost will be your attorney’s fees. With 45 years of experience and a compassionate approach, attorney Messer makes the legal process as manageable as possible for you. At the Law Office of Gregory Messer, we are transparent about our fees and will discuss all costs with you during your free initial consultation.

Are Bankruptcies Public Information In New York?

It is natural to be concerned about privacy, and the short answer is that filings are public records. Anyone can access basic case information through the federal court system’s online portal, PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). This means a person’s name, the date they filed, the type of bankruptcy and the outcome of the case are generally accessible to the public.

However, sensitive financial details like your social security number, account numbers and specific addresses are not public and are protected by law. While the information is public, the reality is most people – including employers and landlords – do not routinely search bankruptcy records. The impact on your personal and professional life is often far less significant than you may fear.

Bankruptcy Alternatives

Sometimes, achieving debt relief does not require a bankruptcy filing. There are options such as:

• Asset protection
• Debt consolidation and negotiation
• Stopping debt collection harassment
• Loan modification
• Avoiding foreclosure and foreclosure defense
• Insolvency
• Short sales
• Debt collection
• Budget counseling

We also help individual and business clients by exploring these alternatives.

Let An Experienced Brooklyn Bankruptcy Lawyer Fight For You

If you live in New York City and think bankruptcy may be a viable option, contact us online or at 347-943-8475 to schedule a free initial consultation. Mr. Messer’s inclusion on the Super Lawyers list is a testament to his professionalism and experience, and he is ready to help you find your fresh start.

Our office is located across the street from the U.S. District Bankruptcy Court in Brooklyn and is close to the Borough Hall and Court Street subway stations. We serve residents throughout Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island and Queens.

To ensure every client’s filing receives the attention it deserves, the Law Office of Gregory Messer is an appointment-only law firm with flexible hours adjustable to fit your needs.

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