Bankruptcy Attorneys

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, how do you go about finding the right lawyer to help you?

Let’s assume you needed plastic surgery. Did you know that any physician licensed to perform surgery can hold himself out to be a "cosmetic surgeon"? Would you hire a non-specialist? You would probably limit your search to surgeons who are board-certified, knowing that they have met strenuous criteria and have undergone extensive training in the field.

In the same realm, you should know that any lawyer can proclaim they can file bankruptcies. Just because they are authorized to do it, does not mean they do it well. You should invest the same degree of care in a search for a lawyer as you would a doctor, were you to discover that you had a life-threatening ailment.

Frank, White-Boyd, P.A. provides prompt, experienced legal representation with a goal-oriented philosophy. As a client of Frank, White-Boyd, you can be assured of aggressive, effective representation, and the individual attention you deserve. Our legal team represents over 46 years of legal experience, and our small firm environment allows us to provide a wide range of legal services in the financial distress arena, for affordable fees.

Contact Frank, White-Boyd, P.A. today if you need legal assistance with any of the following:

Bankruptcy Alternatives and Financial Distress Counseling
Debt Management
Creditor Workouts
Foreclosure Defense
Loan Modification
Asset Protection
Prejudgment Planning
Post -Judgment Collections
Avoiding Garnishment
Avoiding Repossession
Stop Creditor Harassment
Stop Lawsuits
Erase Credit Card Debt
Rebuild your Credit
Court Protection

There is only one national organization that certifies attorneys as bankruptcy specialists. This is known as the American Board of Certification (www.ABCworld.org). It imposes stringent and comprehensive requirements before it will certify a lawyer as a bankruptcy specialist. Furthermore, the Board separately certifies lawyers as to whether they are specialists in the area of consumer bankruptcy or business bankruptcy. Currently, there are only approximately 100 lawyers in United States who are board-certified in both business and consumer bankruptcy law.

Attorney Julianne R. Frank is one of the 100 lawyers in the country who is nationally certified in both business and consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification. Her partner, Nadine White-Boyd specializes in bankruptcy and real estate. Together, we provide financial distress consulting, and help our clients find solutions to their financial problems.

You may be tempted to shop for a bankruptcy lawyer based on their fees. With lawyers, like everything else in this world, you get what you pay for. Lower fees may be charged by less experienced lawyers or those who provide less personal attention to client’s concerns. Be wary of a lawyer who imposes the “bait and switch” tactic: they quote a fee in advertising or over the phone, but once in their office, they advise you that this fee applies only in limited situations.

There are several questions that you should ask before retaining a bankruptcy lawyer, in addition to the obvious inquiry about certification. Here are a few recommended topics for discussion:

How many years has the lawyer been in practice?
How much of their practice is devoted exclusively to bankruptcy law?
At the intake conference, will you be meeting with a lawyer or will you be interviewed by a staff member or a paralegal?
Has the lawyer had personal experience in representing clients in cases that have been challenged?
Will the lawyer handle a challenge or will you be referred to another lawyer?
Does the lawyer handle all different forms of bankruptcy?
Does the lawyer offer non-bankruptcy alternatives, such as asset protection planning, debt management, credit restoration and dispute resolution and general financial distress counseling?

You are entitled to learn about a lawyer’s credentials, reputation and experience without being charged for that information. You should insist upon it before making your decision.

Our lawyers believe every client should receive personal attention. You will find our entire staff to be friendly, compassionate, and ready to give you the immediate attention you deserve in a confidential and comfortable setting.

With her degree in psychology, Ms. Frank has a particular sensitivity to the emotional impact of the problems you face. She believes every client should be treated with respect and dignity, and deeply cares about their concerns. Her philosophy is that each client is to be handled as if he or she were the only client of the firm.

If you are struggling with your finances, and don't know where to turn, our firm can help you make the right decisions to put you on the path to a stable financial future. Call us today, and let us show you how we can help.

For our Indian River county clients, we are conveniently located near downtown Vero Beach, and residents of Western Palm Beach County may visit our office in Royal Palm Beach. In addition, we are pleased to announce the opening of our new office in Stuart, Florida.

Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Bankruptcy Laws:
Bankruptcy is a federal court process designed to help individuals and businesses eliminate their debts or repay them under the protection of the bankruptcy court. Bankruptcies can generally be described as liquidation or reorganization. Under a liquidation bankruptcy (Chapter 7), a debtor files to eliminate debt through the bankruptcy court. Under a reorganization bankruptcy (Chapter 13), a debtor files a plan with the bankruptcy court proposing how to repay creditors.

In 2005, the requirements under which a debtor could file Chapter 7 bankruptcy changed with the passage of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act. Debtors are now required to seek budget and credit counseling within six months of filing, financial “testing” is required to determine the debtor’s capacity for debt repayment, Chapter 7 cannot be filed if the household income is greater than the median household income as deemed by the state, and state exemptions cannot be applied unless the debtor has resided at current residence for over two years.

Due to the imposed requirements for Chapter 7 bankruptcy as set forth by the new laws, debtors who were eligible to file under Chapter 7 may now have to file under Chapter 13 bankruptcy instead, in which individuals and creditors agree to a court-imposed plan that requires some or all debts be repaid over five years, with an appointed trustee assigned to monitor the repayment process. Bankruptcy filings will continue to be recorded on an individual’s credit report for seven years in the case of Chapter 13, and up to ten years for Chapter 7.

Chapter 7:
Chapter 7 cases are commonly referred to as straight bankruptcy or liquidation cases, and may be filed by an individual, corporation, or a partnership. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy case does not involve the filing of a plan of repayment as in Chapter 13. Instead, the bankruptcy trustee gathers and sells the debtor's nonexempt assets and uses the proceeds of such assets to pay holders of claims (creditors) in accordance with the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. Part of the debtor's property may be subject to liens and mortgages that pledge the property to other creditors. In addition, the Bankruptcy Code will allow the debtor to keep certain "exempt" property; but a trustee will liquidate the debtor's remaining assets. Accordingly, potential debtors should realize that the filing of a petition under Chapter 7 may result in the loss of property.

Chapter 13:
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy is also called a wage earner's plan. It enables individuals with regular income to develop a plan to repay all or part of their debts. Under this chapter, debtors propose a repayment plan to make installments to creditors over three to five years. Chapter 13 permits individuals to keep their property by repaying creditors out of their future income. It is not available to corporations or partnerships. After completion of payments under the plan, Chapter 13 debtors receive a discharge of most debts.

Foreclosure:
Foreclosure is the legal proceeding in which a bank or other secured creditor sells or repossesses a parcel of real property (immovable property) due to the owner's failure to comply with an agreement between the lender and borrower called a "mortgage" or "deed of trust". Commonly, the violation of the mortgage is a default in payment of a promissory note, secured by a lien on the property. When the process is complete, it is typically said that "the lender has foreclosed its mortgage or lien".

A Foreclosure by Sale ends in the posting of a sign advertising the auction of your home on the sale date. The only ways to stop a foreclosure are full payment of the arrearage, or the filing of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Full Payment: If you are able to obtain and tender the full amount of your arrearage, including fees and costs, you can stop the foreclosure of a standard residential mortgage. Most people lack the money to make full payment. This process stops the foreclosure and allows you to repay your arrearage over a three-to-five year period. The arrearage is paid through a court-appointed official, while you resume your regular monthly payments to the bank in order to keep your home. A Chapter 13 can be filed at any time prior to the law day or sale date, and it is often the only avenue to save your home.

Debt Consolidation:
Contrary to popular belief, debt consolidation is not a loan. Debt consolidation is a process in which debt is restructured into one low monthly payment. It further enables a consumer to reduce the amount owed and thereby eliminate interest. Very often a consumer can detect warning signs of being in too much debt long before any collection notices are received. If more than two of the following signs apply to you, you are probably in too much debt:

You have begun charging to your credit card essential expenses like food and daily expenditures
You are making only the minimum payments on your credit cards each month
You are near the limit of your credit cards
You have too many credit cards
You are unsure how much money you owe creditors

Professional Profile

If you or someone you know needs the assistance of an experienced Palm Beach Gardens, Florida Bankruptcy Lawyer, call Frank, White-Boyd, P.A. today at 561-503-2441, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule a consultation. If your matter involves an emergency, we will make every effort to provide you a prompt appointment.

ADDRESS OF THE FIRM:
Frank, White-Boyd, P.A.
11382 Prosperity Farms Road
Suite 230
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Phone: 561-503-2441
Hours: M-F, 8:00AM-5:00PM
Services provided after-hours

MEMBERS OF THE FIRM:

Attorney Julianne Frank

Jurisdictions Attorney is Licensed in: Florida
Date Admitted to the Bar: 1981
Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated: Tulane, B.S., 1977; Northwestern, J.D., 1980
Professional Memberships & Achievements: Ms. Frank is a member of the Palm Beach County and Indian River County Bar Associations, The Florida Bar, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, the American Bankruptcy Institute, the South Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association and the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees. She is current chairperson of the Palm Beach County Bankruptcy CLE program, and past president of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, North Section, and the North County Business Development Group.

Attorney Nadine V. White-Boyd

Jurisdictions Attorney is Licensed in: Florida and New York
Date Admitted to the Bar: Florida 1999; New York 1995
Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated: Cornell Univ., B.A. 1989; Hofstra University, J.D., 1993
Professional Memberships & Achievements: Ms. White-Boyd is a member of the Palm Beach County and Indian River County Bar Associations, The Florida Bar, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the South Florida Bankruptcy Bar Association.

Attorney Robert J. Harvey

Jurisdictions Attorney is Licensed in: Florida and Illinois
Date Admitted to the Bar: Florida 2009; Illinois 1986
Colleges Attended, Degree & Year Graduated: Southern Illinois University, J.D., 1986; Eastern Illinois University, B.S. in Business Administration, 1983
Professional Memberships & Achievements: Robert has always been active in community and professional affairs. After completion of active duty, he continued to serve in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1990-2001, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He is a graduate of Leadership New York (Class of 1997-98), and former member of the Planning Board, Town of East Hampton, New York, and the Equestrian Preserve Committee, Wellington, Florida. Mr. Harvey is a member of the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, Wellington Chamber of Commerce, BIZPAC, Palm Beach County Bar Association, Palm Beach County Bar Association-North County Section, Palm Beach County Justice Association, and the Florida Bar.

Attorney Michael Kasen

Michael is an associate of Frank, White-Boyd, P.A. concentrating on the representation of individuals and corporations in Bankruptcy. His talents as a skilled negotiator with an art for putting together tough deals gives Michael outstanding advantages when it comes to formulating solutions that are specific to his clients’ needs.

Graduating from Rutgers University with a BA in Economics Michael was a member of an international economics honor society. He received his law degree from Rutgers School of Law where he participated in the Bankruptcy Pro Bono program.

Bankruptcy representation runs through Michael’s veins. He grew up in a family of Bankruptcy attorneys, while attending college he worked for the family Bankruptcy firm of Kasen & Kasen in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and further expanded his knowledge base with Jamie Kaigh, P.A. assisting in Criminal Defense matters.

Office Location

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