Bankruptcy Assistance Project

Legal Services New York - 060024

Abstract Number: 060024

August 2006

Low-income New Yorkers now have a new ally in their struggles with crushing debts since the New York City Bankruptcy Assistance Project (NYC BAP) opened its doors in March of 2006. The Project, which gives free legal assistance to indigent New Yorkers navigating through the bankruptcy process, was created in response to the passage by Congress in April, 2005, of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), which made it more difficult for consumers to obtain relief from debts through bankruptcy.

As a result, many attorneys in New York's bankruptcy bar worried the Act would make it too difficult or costly for needy families to get relief from debts they were unable pay. So in May, 2005, attorneys from several of New York's largest and most prestigious law firms raised over $200,000 to create a project to help needy low-income New Yorkers through the Bankruptcy Process. The result was NYC BAP.

The Project is housed at Legal Services for New York City (LSNY) and is headed by William Kransdorf, an attorney with over 13 years of experience in bankruptcy law and legal services for the poor.

The Project brings attorneys and debtors together at workshops where potential filers meet one-on-one with attorneys for assessment, advice, and possible assistance with preparing and filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions. Those who choose to file a bankruptcy petition through the Project represent themselves in court. In addition to petition preparation, the Project assists pro se filers who need help with specific contested matters and adversary proceedings in their bankruptcy cases.

The Project also uses an innovative approach to increasing pro bono participation that combines the use of electronic "paperless case files," with a remote access networking system that makes the Project's files and software accessible anywhere. This allows each pro bono attorney to access case files, prepare bankruptcy petitions, and even get on-screen interactive guidance with petition preparation from an experienced attorney-all from the comfort of their own office.

Contact Information:

William Z. Kransdorf
Coordinator, NYC Bankruptcy Assistance Project
Legal Services for New York City
350 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10013-9998
Phone: (646) 442-3646
Fax: (646) 442-3647
Email

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