Attorney Michael Goldstein Reopens Bankruptcy Practice for Foreclosure
July 30, 2026 - PRESSADVANTAGE - Attorney Michael Goldstein has reopened his Massachusetts bankruptcy practice,
Press Release Disclaimer: This is a press release distributed through the XPR Media network. It has not been independently verified by our newsroom.
July 30, 2026 – PRESSADVANTAGE –
Attorney Michael Goldstein has reopened his Massachusetts bankruptcy practice, expanding capacity to serve homeowners facing foreclosure and individuals contending with mounting tax liens. The renewed focus centers on Chapter 13 bankruptcy, a debt reorganization option that allows individuals with regular income to repay creditors over three to five years while retaining their property.
Goldstein, licensed to practice in Massachusetts since 2006, serves as Of Counsel to Phillips Law Offices for bankruptcy matters while also maintaining his own independent Massachusetts practice. The reopened practice comes as housing costs and delinquency pressures continue to weigh on homeowners across the state, prompting renewed interest in legal tools that can pause foreclosure proceedings and restructure debt without requiring the sale of a primary residence.
Chapter 13 differs from Chapter 7 bankruptcy in that filers keep their assets while using future income to satisfy debts under a court-approved plan. For homeowners already behind on mortgage payments, the filing triggers an automatic stay that halts a scheduled foreclosure sale as soon as the case is entered, giving borrowers time to catch up on arrears through the structured repayment period rather than losing the property outright. The same automatic stay also stops wage garnishments, creditor collection calls, and pending lawsuits for the duration of the plan, a protection that extends well beyond the shorter timeline offered under Chapter 7.
Tax debt has become a growing driver of inquiries to the practice. Chapter 13 allows priority tax obligations to be repaid through the plan on structured terms, reducing the likelihood of active levies or wage garnishment by tax authorities while the case proceeds. Goldstein noted that this option often applies to filers whose tax debt is too large or too recent to qualify for a standard settlement arrangement but still needs to be resolved.
“Many people delay dealing with a tax lien or a foreclosure notice because they assume there are no options left,” Goldstein said. “Chapter 13 exists specifically for situations like this, where someone has income coming in but needs a structured way to catch up rather than losing everything at once.”
The reopened practice also addresses secured debt beyond mortgages. Vehicle loans in arrears can be brought current through a Chapter 13 plan, and in certain cases the loan balance may be reduced to the vehicle’s current value if the loan meets applicable age requirements. Co-signers on personal or auto loans receive protection from collection activity for the life of the plan as well, a safeguard not available under Chapter 7.
In situations where a home’s value has fallen below the balance owed on a first mortgage, filers may be able to treat a second mortgage or home equity line of credit as wholly unsecured debt, potentially eliminating that obligation through the plan. Goldstein said this option depends heavily on current property valuation relative to outstanding mortgage balances and is evaluated on a case-by-case basis during the initial review of income, debts, and assets.
“The plan is not one size fits all,” Goldstein said. “Every filing starts with a full review of the person’s financial picture, because the strategy that protects a home in one case may not be the right approach in another.”
Filers pursuing Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney Massachusetts services typically begin with a required credit counseling course, followed by preparation of a petition, financial schedules, and a proposed repayment plan for court review. Once confirmed, the plan governs monthly payments to a trustee over the following three to five years, after which remaining eligible unsecured debts are discharged.
Goldstein’s practice focuses on Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Massachusetts, small business formation, and debt relief matters, working directly with clients throughout the process rather than routing cases through associate attorneys. In addition to his independent practice, Goldstein’s affiliation with Phillips Law Offices extends bankruptcy services to clients in Maryland and the District of Columbia through the firm’s broader debt relief team.
###
For more information about Attorney Michael Goldstein, contact the company here:
Attorney Michael Goldstein
Michael Goldstein
1 781-745-3792
mike@attorneymichaelgoldstein.com
5646 Cheech Gln
Lakewood Ranch, FL. 34211
