Overwhelming debt is a heavy burden that creates stress and anxiety.  Steinfeld & Steinfeld, PC addresses crisis situations – be it for businesses, families or individuals. Financial stress oftentimes results from too many guaranteed debts in a business that hasn’t done well, from an overly ambitious investment strategy in real estate or a  family situation that had trouble supporting one household  and is now seeking to support two as the result of a divorce. Bankruptcy is sometimes an  appropriate strategy (tool in the tool bag) to provide relief in these situations. Sometimes, the most important issue is in identifying “the client:”  is the client the  individual member of the family? Is it a husband and wife duo? Is it the business owner? Is it the business?  Which business?  How many businesses are there?   Any given bankruptcy case can only involve one debtor-entity, although a husband and wife may file a joint case.  So which is the appropriate entity for the bankruptcy filing?   On the other hand, are you owed a debt by someone or business who has filed for bankruptcy and need tools in your tool bag to collect that debt?  Should you file a claim in the case? A Dischargeability proceeding?

The attorneys at Steinfeld & Steinfeld will support you throughout the bankruptcy process.  We understand the issues that  you are going through, either as a business or as an individual, either as a debtor or as a creditor.  We can help you to  develop a strategy  to reduce,  or even eliminate, your debt, as a Debtor, although we do not make any promises or guarantees,  or we can help you to try and collect your debt within the bankruptcy case if you are owed a debt by an entity who has filed  for bankruptcy.  Bankruptcy can be an intimidating process and we are here to expertly guide you through this process either as a debtor in need of bankruptcy relief or as a creditor seeking to collect during the case.

Attorneys at  Steinfeld & Steinfeld, with twenty years of experience each,  are dedicated to helping individuals, business owners, businesses  and families facing difficult financial and personal situations. We focus our practice on helping, defending and representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy cases, including restructuring your business and bankruptcy avoidance.

We will help you to evaluate whether you need to file for bankruptcy.  We will help you to collect a claim within a bankruptcy case.  For a thorough overview of the bankruptcy process and to gain an understanding of the consumer  options available, read this article from Cornell Law School.

If your marriage is ending, you may feel overwhelmed. Collaborative Law (also called Collaborative Divorce or Collaborative Practice) is a structured process that provides an alternative to court. The Collaborative choice offers you the opportunity to focus on what is important to you, your family and your future.

Couples facing separation and divorce encounter many challenges — especially when children are involved. Parents must resolve important issues with significant thought to the after-effects. Collaborative Family Law provides a positive context in which to deal with these concerns without resorting to litigation.

The lawyers and clients sign a Participation Agreement which provides that if the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the lawyers will withdraw from the case and assist the clients in transitioning the case to trial attorneys. By establishing an open, cooperative environment, parties and their counsel can work toward a settlement that benefits everyone.

Divorce affects, directly or indirectly, virtually every family in the country. In Georgia there are 13 grounds for divorce. One ground is irretrievably broken (sometimes referred to as the no-fault ground). The other 12 grounds for divorce in Georgia are fault grounds. Marriage is a civil contract that the state has an interest in preserving. Accordingly, the marriage relationship may be dissolved only as provided by law through (1) a divorce or (2) an annulment; or altered by (3) a decree of separate maintenance granted by our courts. In any case, there must be a proceeding in the superior court of the county in which the defendant resides (or the county where the parties resided during the marriage if the defendant left the county within six months before filing) and the person seeking the divorce must prove grounds for divorce (valid reasons prescribed by law).  To read more on Georgia divorce law, click this link.

To search the Georgia Code regarding divorce, click this LexisNexis link.

“I begged Shayna to take our case. She’s one of the smartest people I know. We were in a tough spot due to bad advice from a previous attorney. I had to make difficult legal, financial and emotional decisions.  Our case was a mess and we had very few options.  I needed a lawyer who was smart and direct, someone who knew the law and the judges.  Shayna protected my rights and helped me navigate an unwieldy set of circumstances. Shayna helped me sort it all out and get immediately to a strategy for resolution.  Bankruptcy takes an enormous amount of time and money – and it wreaks havoc on your emotions and personal life.  She got me through it with a great deal of professional finesse.” -Morgan

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“Shayna was just wonderful in helping me and my mother through a very difficult time when we had to file bankruptcy for my mother’s business. My mother had many outside forces which lead her to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Shayna was so professional, but personal. She helped guide us and let me know exactly what to expect and therefore, I had no surprises. We had many set backs through the process including my mother dying, but Shayna helped me know all my options. I was very impressed with her knowledge and understanding. She was not intimidated by any of the large firms that we had to deal.  Although we elected to close the business, it was the right decision. Thanks Shayna for all your help.” -Marilyn

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I had the great fortune of being introduced to Shayna through my divorce attorney.  Shayna was retained for the purpose of protecting my interests in bankruptcy filed by my ex-husband during the time of our divorce case.  Had it not been for Shayna, there is no doubt that I would have lost my home, my credit standing, and most of all my dignity.  I continue to be amazed at what she was able to accomplish. She simply knows bankruptcy law inside and out and is diligent and honest enough to get the job done right – the first go ‘round.  She truly cares about how the outcome of her cases impact her clients. In my opinion, she is definitely one of the best in her field and I highly recommend her!

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“I always felt that I had the best representation possible at every stage and I thank [Shayna] for that.”

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“I believe that everyone comes into our lives for a reason, and I thank God that I was fortunate enough to connect with Bruce Steinfeld during my time of crises. Not only was Bruce my “knight in shining armor”, giving me emotional support and advice, but he was the ultimate warrior throughout my highly contentious divorce. His perseverance for justice, combined with his caring, gentle nature truly set him apart as a very unique, outstanding attorney.”

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“Because of Bruce’s representation of me in an adversarial divorce case last year, my children have a fair and healthy custody arrangement, and I have primary custody while we remain in our own home. Bruce has a nurturing but very proactive style and redirected by case—in which I started out the underdog—into an amazingly swift and positive outcome that protected my children’s best interests as well as my own. In a period when I was isolated and far away from extended family, I could always reach Bruce for reassurance and quick action. My family say they stopped worrying as soon as I retained Bruce as my attorney. Also, when a tricky issue related to the divorce settlement cropped up nearly a year later, Bruce immediately responded and wrapped up the matter, along with final court approval, in just a couple of weeks. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs a motivated and caring advocate in a divorce or other family case.”

42-year-old mother of two boys ages 7 and 9, Roswell, Georgia

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“Going through my divorce was the hardest test I’d ever had to face in my life. Every day was a new set of decisions to make, issues to resolve, emotions to wade through, failures to face. Working with Bruce was more meaningful to me than just “navigating the legal system with your attorney”. Bruce listened to me, he cared about the outcome for me and for my 4 year old son. He was invested in making our future as successful as possible, in making sure I had the right support to make good legal decisions, about explaining to me how the legal processes worked and what the issues and challenges that we might face were at each juncture. I think through it all the biggest impact to me was that Bruce genuinely cared for me as a person and wanted me to be in a good place in my life. He didn’t judge my mistakes or decisions. He’s a caring and supportive advocate, friend and counselor.   Thanks Bruce!”

Click the relevant link below to download the files that you are interested in.

What type of tax are you seeking to discharge?