Established Attorney Stops Creditor Harassment in Vernon, NJ
Trustworthy Sussex County law firm seeks to ends abuse by lenders
Many people owe money to credit card companies, banks and other creditors. Most of these creditors act responsibly in their attempts to collect a debt. Others ignore the law and use abusive or illegal tactics to coerce you into paying. At the Law Offices of James C. Zimmermann, we put a stop to the harassment. The law is on your side, and with our help you can end threatening, abusive phone calls from creditors or collection agencies.
Bankruptcy law helps stop abusive collection practices in New Jersey
There are laws that prevent your creditors or lenders from becoming abusive or contacting your family and friends. To enforce these laws, we can file a lawsuit on your behalf. However, if you are getting an overwhelming number of calls from creditors, it is likely due to your financial situation. If you don’t think you will be able to pay back your debts on your own, you may have options in bankruptcy.
Protections under an automatic stay issued by a bankruptcy court
As soon as we file your bankruptcy case in a federal court, the court will immediately grant an automatic stay, preventing further collection activities. In addition to stopping harassing phone calls, the stay can put an end to:
- Wage garnishment
- Bank levies
- Foreclosure proceedings
- Sheriff’s sales
- Pending lawsuits
Certain tax collection activities by the IRS and the NJ Division of Taxation are also stopped by the stay. If creditors suspect that you may be about to file for bankruptcy, they are likely to ramp up their collection efforts. To end the calls and reduce your debt, you should seek the help of an experienced bankruptcy lawyer.
Exception to an automatic stay from a federal court
A stay is a powerful tool to prevent collection activity during your bankruptcy proceeding. While a stay can help you get relief, there are some activities that are still allowed as exceptions:
- Criminal proceedings
- Child support actions
- Alimony actions
- IRS audits
Creditors may also ask a court to lift a stay under certain circumstances. We fight to keep the stay in place during your bankruptcy case.
Other alternatives to stop creditor harassment
If a lender is violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) by threatening you or repeatedly calling you at work, you may have the right to sue. If a court rules in your favor, the creditor may be forced to pay you damages and will be responsible for the cost of your legal fees.
Speak with a Sussex County bankruptcy attorney for immediate relief
If you can’t take constant phone calls from bill collectors and banks, we can help. At the Law Offices of James C. Zimmermann, we can stop debt collection activities by helping you file for bankruptcy. To learn about your rights under New Jersey and federal law, call us at 973-764-1633 or contact us online.