Looking for a bankruptcy lawyer in Port St. Lucie? Read some of our reviews:
Betsi B.5.0
As embarrassing and humiliating as bankruptcy is, I had no choice but to file. Stiberman Law was the absolute best you could ask for. I didn’t have to guess, wonder what was h Read More
September 10, 2024
Ashonta W.5.0
I was looking for a bankruptcy attorney in the Fort Lauderdale area when I came across Stiberman Law. They made sure to always keep in contact with me and were very helpful and know Read More
July 25, 2024
Mauricio R.5.0
I had an outstanding experience with Stiberman Law. The entire bankruptcy process was quicker than I expected, and the staff was consistently friendly and professional. It’s clear Read More
July 22, 2024
Betsi B.5.0
As embarrassing and humiliating as bankruptcy is, I had no choice but to file. Stiberman Law was the absolute best you could ask for. I didn’t have to guess, wonder what was h Read More
September 10, 2024
Ashonta W.5.0
I was looking for a bankruptcy attorney in the Fort Lauderdale area when I came across Stiberman Law. They made sure to always keep in contact with me and were very helpful and know Read More
July 25, 2024
Mauricio R.5.0
I had an outstanding experience with Stiberman Law. The entire bankruptcy process was quicker than I expected, and the staff was consistently friendly and professional. It’s clear Read More
July 22, 2024
Louisa P.5.0
Robert and the team at Stiberman Law are truly exceptional. I was faced with the daunting task of navigating bankruptcy, and from the moment I contacted them, I knew I was in good hands Read More
May 21, 2024
Arlene S.5.0
Excellent Lawyer, friendly and on top of things and reliable and efficient. I had to go through bankruptcy twice and I trusted them every time. I had the best experience with Robert and Read More
March 20, 2024
Gustavo S.5.0
I am very satisfied with the service that they offered us. They were very professional and kept us informed at all times. I was looking for a bankruptcy attorney nearby and fount Robert Read More
March 19, 2024
Paul B.5.0
I would like to share the amazing experience I have had with this Law firm. I was on the verge of loosing my house because I had not paid my property taxes.
I looked for a Bankruptcy at Read More
July 10, 2023
S.M.5.0
When I say this office was absolutely the best, I am not kidding! They have been absolutely phenomenal. Robert has been the best bankruptcy attorney. The whole team has always kept Read More
April 20, 2023
Paula D.5.0
I was referred by a friend to this bankruptcy attorney. Mr. Stiberman and his staff was very courteous, knowledgeable and very caring towards my concerns. I am pleased with the outcom Read More
April 18, 2023
R.P.5.0
The process was relatively easy, I would recommend Stiberman Law to anyone who finds themselves in need of a bankruptcy attorney.
February 24, 2023
Jose N.5.0
I have to say that I have had a great experience with Stiberman Law regarding a bankruptcy and they have been very informative and supportive. They have been very helpful and always ans Read More
January 20, 2023
L.L.5.0
Excellent service. Great bankruptcy attorney and staff. Always informed me of what to expect. My Chapter 13 bankruptcy was smooth and the process was easy thanks to Robert and the Read More
July 20, 2022
Sam S5.0
Twelve years ago I was in need of legal representation stemming from the housing meltdown if 2008. Robert Stiberman and his staff handled the matter with complete professionalism and sp Read More
October 19, 2022
K.D.5.0
I was looking for a bankruptcy attorney in Miami, and I found Mr. Stiberman. He and his office were efficient, and they guided me through every step of the process. I am appreciative of Read More
September 16, 2022
Carmen C.5.0
I am so grateful for Stiberman Law, P.A. In 2019 my husband and were faced with a very difficult decision file for Bankruptcy, unfortunately we weren’t able to pay for our credit Read More
October 26, 2022
N.M.5.0
Excellent work from this bankruptcy law firm! I was drowning in debt with my license suspended from a lawsuit I had and thought I would have to spend the rest of my life paying back deb Read More
August 17, 2022
R.Z.5.0
The experience with this office has been great. No problems at all they have kept me straight to doing the right thing and feeling a breeze of peace and being debt free with my bankruptcy.
August 30, 2022
F.5.0
Very happy with Robert and his team. Thanks to them we were able to save our home. Very helpful and knowledgeable in bankruptcy. Best attorney.
July 28, 2022
E.R.5.0
I had a great experience, I just want thank Stiberman law and his team for a great experience also Ana for the help and explaining my case. Appreciate, thank you
July 25, 2022
A.B.5.0
Very good office with my bankruptcy. They have been amazing through this hard process. Very happy with Robert and his staff they are very nice and professional. Thank you stiberman!
July 23, 2022
W.J.5.0
Amazing work by Robert. They are really good with what they do, very attentive and knowledgeable. Customer service and professionalism are top, the lawyer has been great this whole t Read More
June 25, 2022
Written By: Attorney Robert Stiberman | Updated October 31, 2022
This article will discuss in detail:
Why do you need a bankruptcy lawyer?
What to look for in a bankruptcy attorney?
What is it like working with bankruptcy attorneys?
The costs of hiring a bankruptcy attorney in Port St. Lucie, Florida
If you live in Port St. Lucie, Florida and are considering filing bankruptcy, hiring the right bankruptcy attorney can be one of the most important decisions you make. There’s a lot of information online about filing for bankruptcy, which can seem overwhelming, but not enough information about how to choose the right Port St. Lucie bankruptcy lawyer.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy has helped millions of Americans unburden themselves from the crushing weight of debts. It is called a straight or liquidation bankruptcy because a Trustee will seek to liquidate your non-exempt assets to repay debts. Many cases are called “no asset” cases because there is nothing to liquidate. The chapter 7 process usually takes between 4 to 6 months to completion and stops most collection efforts and lawsuits from day one.
Why do you need a Port St. Lucie bankruptcy lawyer?
Although the law allows individuals seeking to file for bankruptcy to file without a lawyer, or pro se, the complexities and potential bankruptcy consequences merit a detailed analysis as to why you need a bankruptcy attorney.
These are the main reasons why you need a bankruptcy lawyer:
Port St. Lucie Bankruptcy attorneys understand the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, Local Rules and the applicability of State law concerning exemptions.
Filing for bankruptcy requires compliance with the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and the bankruptcy court’s local rules.
Port St. Lucie residents filing in the Southern District of Florida also have to comply with the court’s Local Rules.
It takes attorneys years of experience to learn to navigate the bankruptcy process and bankruptcy law is constantly evolving.
In addition to providing you with expertise on federal bankruptcy law and procedure, a bankruptcy attorney will be able to advise you on the applicability of federal or state exemptions to protect your property in bankruptcy and everything you need to know about bankruptcy.
Port St. Lucie residents living in Florida for at least 730 days immediately prior to filing bankruptcy must apply Florida bankruptcy exemptions based on Florida law. 28 U.S.C. sec 1408.
A Port St. Lucie bankruptcy lawyer will advise you if bankruptcy is right for you, which bankruptcy to file and why, what documents you need, and what happens after you file.
Filing for bankruptcy may or may not be the best course of action. Most bankruptcy lawyers offer a free consultation to determine if bankruptcy will help you achieve your goal.
Understanding what debts can be discharged in bankruptcy and what property you can keep in bankruptcy is critical in determining if bankruptcy is right for you.
Many people file Chapter 7 bankruptcy to eliminate unsecured debt such as credit cards and medical bills, while others may also want to discharge child support or alimony obligations.
Filing for bankruptcy requires full disclosure of all your debts and assets when you file, including any ownership interest in properties, vehicles, and businesses. You are also required to disclose potential windfalls such as expected tax refunds, active lawsuits, and potential claims you could file to recover money, as well as past activity including property transfers, gifts, loan repayments, closed businesses and bank accounts.
A bankruptcy attorney will review your debts, assets, and financial history prior to recommending if bankruptcy is right for you.
Although there are six different types of bankruptcies, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common. They simply have different procedures for dealing with debt.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires individuals to to pass a means test to be eligible and has the shortest time period from start to completion.
Chapter 13 involves a plan of reorganization where your property is not liquidated and has debt limitations.
Choosing the right bankruptcy can help you achieve your desired goal and by the same token, choosing the wrong bankruptcy can have serious consequences including the possible loss of property.
A bankruptcy lawyer will discuss chapter 7 vs chapter 13 bankruptcy and recommend what is best for you.
Filing for bankruptcy requires completing around 23 official federal forms as well as local forms when applicable. The forms present the court, your Trustee and creditors with your financial picture, including a list of all your assets and debts, and your intentions toward secured debt. Additionally, the forms require historic information relating to past financial activity including, closed businesses and bank accounts, transfers of property, gifts, and debt repayment.
Port St. Lucie, Florida residents filing in the Southern District of Florida, must file local forms as well.
Your bankruptcy attorney will instruct you on the documents you need to collect prior to filing bankruptcy, will prepare and file all appropriate forms electronically, and will comply with Local Rules.
Filing the voluntary bankruptcy petition will start the bankruptcy process and stop most collection efforts. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer will ensure that all creditors are notified, file the necessary documents in state court where collection lawsuits may be pending, and explain what happens after your case is filed.
Your attorney will discuss what to expect at your meeting of creditors, including commonly asked questions, and will work towards complying with your bankruptcy Trustee’s requirements and steps you need to take to obtain your discharge.
What to look for in a bankruptcy attorney?
Level of Experience and Expertise
One of the most important things to look for when comparing bankruptcy attorneys is their level of experience and expertise. Bankruptcy is highly technical, and requires familiarity with Federal and Local Rules.
A bankruptcy lawyer will acquire most of his or her knowledge through years of bankruptcy law practice representing clients and appearing in court, rather than from law school or reading up on the subject of bankruptcy after graduating.
Things to look for concerning a bankruptcy attorney’s experience:
How many cases has the attorney filed in or near Port St. Lucie?
How long has the lawyer been practicing in the area of bankruptcy law?
What is the lawyer’s success rate in getting debts discharged?
Regularly Practices in your Area
Port St. Lucie, Florida is located in St. Lucie County, Florida. St. Lucie County residents filing bankruptcy in the Southern District of Florida will be assigned to the West Palm Beach Division of the Bankruptcy court.
The West Palm Beach Division is located in Flagler Waterview Building
1515 North Flagler Drive, Suite 801
West Palm Beach, FL 33401. Click here for a road map to the courthouse.
The West Palm Beach Division is headquartered in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida.
Although bankruptcy is Federal Law, the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida has a set of Local Rules and local forms that also require compliance. Failure to abide by these rules can result amongst other things in a dismissal of your bankruptcy case.
Additionally, since your bankruptcy Trustee will administer your Bankruptcy case, it is extremely helpful for a bankruptcy attorney to be familiar with the Jacksonville division Trustee’s requirements and operating procedures. An experienced attorney will likely have appeared in front of your bankruptcy Trustee numerous times prior to your case.
Credentials
In addition to being a licensed Florida attorney, a bankruptcy attorney is required to be admitted or allowed to practice in the Bankruptcy Court for your region. Bankruptcy attorneys representing Port St. Lucie, Florida residents in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida must be admitted to practice in that court, unless having received special permission from the Court.
Reviews, Ratings and Recognitions
Reviews are important and read more than one to get a more accurate picture. Look for a 4 star rating as a minimum and check for experiences similar to the one you are facing.
Accreditations form third party sites such as Avvo are also good things for your bankruptcy attorney to have.
Office Locations and Accessibility
It’s a good idea for your Bankruptcy attorney to have an office close to you so you can meet them in person, see where they work, meet their staff and be able to quickly drop off documents if needed.
Tip: As a Port St. Lucie, Florida resident try to find Bankruptcy attorneys in or near Port St. Lucie. Many attorney’s meet with clients in more than one location or satellite office locations.
Personality and Communication Skills
Feeling comfortable with your attorney and working with a bankruptcy lawyer with good customer service skills is essential.
Getting along with your attorney plays a key role in an effective attorney client relationship. Filing for bankruptcy involves a great deal of communication with your attorney and attorney’s staff. You will be asked to provide documents and information prior to filing as well as information required after you file such as Trustee requested documents. If you are filing Chapter 13 you may be required to provide certain documents and make quick and necessary changes to your Chapter 13 plan more than once after you file.
Language Skills – If english is not your first language and you feel more comfortable communicating in your language, it may be a good idea to find a bankruptcy lawyer who speaks your language or who has staff that does.
Other Factors to Consider
Although there is nothing wrong with a lawyer working on his own, and there are many lawyers who provide professional representation without any support staff, filing for bankruptcy involves a lot of moving parts where more than one person working on your file can be beneficial.
Bankruptcy involves responding to the Trustee and dealing with court deadlines in a time sensitive manner and a good team working with you can make all the difference in the world.
What is it like working with the bankruptcy attorney at Stiberman Law?
At Stiberman Law we understand bankruptcy law and we practice primarily in the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida. We appear in court on a daily basis and are familiar with the Local Rules specific to this court which is critical to the best possible outcome of your case.
We take your case seriously and our process involves:
A complimentary consultation to evaluate if we can help you and if bankruptcy is right for you.
Affordable fees and we provide payment plans.
We keep you informed every step of the way and respond to questions either immediately or within the same day.
We will send you your case number and post filing instructions within minutes of filing your case.
We are fluent in English and Spanish. Se habla Español.
You will have a team working towards your best possible outcome.
The costs of hiring a bankruptcy attorney in Port St. Lucie, Florida
One of the main questions people ask is how much will it cost me to file for bankruptcy and can I afford it? Based on our research, if you are filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Port St. Lucie, Florida you can expect the fees to be in the neighborhood of $1500.
At Stiberman Law we understand our client’s financial challenges, have developed efficiencies to reduce costs, and are able to offer affordable rates and convenient payment plans.
Need Help Filing for Bankruptcy in Port St. Lucie, Florida?
If you need help filing for bankruptcy in Florida, the bankruptcy lawyers at Stiberman Law are here to help. With more than 20 years of experience in Florida bankruptcy law, we can answer your questions and guide you when it comes to your financial future. Call us today at (954) 314-4530 or fill out the form below to schedule a consultation.
Other locations near Port St. Lucie served by bankruptcy attorney Robert Stiberman:
PahokeePalm Beach GardensPalm Springs
Port St. Lucie
Riviera Beach
Royal Palm Beach
Salerno
Sebastian
Sebring
Shawano
South Bay
South Palm Beach
Stuart
Venus
Vero Beach
Vero Lake Estates
Wabasso
Walton
WellingtonWest Palm Beach
Winter Park
White City