Bankruptcy Attorney - York County, PA

A Fresh Start Is Closer Than You Think

Nervous, scared, or embarrassed about bankruptcy or your financial troubles? That’s normal, and it fades fast once we talk. We help people across south central Pennsylvania with bankruptcy (both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, credit negotiations, foreclosure defense, loan modifications, eviction defense, and consumer protection.  We help you decide your best course of action

We are located in West York, York County and we serve clients in south central Pennsylvania.  With the use of Zoom and our online portal, you never have to come to our office althought we do offer in office appointments as well.  We serve clients throughout York, Adams, Dauphin, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Perry, Snyder, Juniata, Mifflin, Huntington, and Lebanon counties, including York, Harrisburg, Gettysburg, and Hanover.

We are local – having lived in Pennsylvania for most of our lives – and we know our clients are members of our own community.

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How We Help Our Clients Get a Fresh Start

Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

If you decide that bankruptcy is the best option for you, we help you understand which chapter fits your income, what you can keep, and what happens at every stage, explained in plain language, not legal jargon.

Bankruptcy is not the only option to dealing with debt but it is a powerful tool.  It’s important to understand fully what it can do for you and what the ramifications are to your credit and your financial future.

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Foreclosure Defense & Loan Modification

If you don’t yet have a judgment against you, sometimes filing an Answer to the Foreclosure Complaint can help buy you some time, or reduce what you owe.  It’s important to understand the pros – and cons -to filing an Answer and to have a lawyer who can help you understand the realistic outcome of doing so.

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Credit Negotiations

If you decide bankruptcy is not your best option we can discuss with you how to best negotiate settlements with your creditors.  We can help you understand the tax consequences of debt settlement, and also strategies for success.  We can negotiate for you, or we can help you do it on your own to save money.  We never control your money, ask you to put money in an account you don’t have control over, or charge you a percentage based on y our debt.  We charge our hourly rate and explain all the fees up front with you, in advance.

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Meet Your Attorney

Dawn M. Cutaia

Founding Attorney, Fresh Start Law, PLLC

People end up here for all kinds of reasons: job loss, medical bills, divorce, or just not being great with money. And that’s OK. Life is hard enough without adding shame to it.

I fully understand that people file bankruptcy for all sorts of reasons. There’s no judgment with me, just a plan to help you get your life back.

— Dawn M. Cutaia

Licensed in Pennsylvania since 1996. Read Dawn’s full story →

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Yes, Dawn's hair really was pink for a while, but that's just pink chalk in Foxy's hair. She was not amused.

What Clients Say

★★★★★ 4.9 out of 5 — 107+ Client Reviews (Avvo & Lawyers.com)
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★★★★★
I called Dawn to explore options and I feel she went above and beyond from the first phone call. She answered all my questions, made it easy to follow and throughout the whole process even had a packet to refer to with so many tips and ideas as well as all of the information that would be needed. She was kind and compassionate. She keeps in touch, communication is great and she really has helped me get a plan to get out of the terrible financial situation I was in. Highly recommend!!
Anonymous
Client
★★★★★
I would 10 out of 10 times recommend Dawn to anyone filing bankruptcy or even thinking about bankruptcy. Very available and knowledgeable. And we get you to the fresh start you’re looking for!
Justin
Client
★★★★★
Dawn was amazing and easy to work with. I had so many questions but she never got frustrated or seemed agitated by them, even if it was something I had already asked. She spent countless hours revisit everything with me to see what my best options were. I’m so thankful for all she has done and highly recommend her.
Anna
Client
★★★★★
Dawn was excellent to work with! She was professional, knowledgeable, and available for questions and updates throughout the process. She helped navigate a stressful process in a way that made me feel supported and was able to bring the matter to a resolution. Highly recommend!
Anonymous
Client
Common Questions

Answers Before You Call

See All FAQs

What does bankruptcy stop?

Foreclosure, wage garnishment, frozen bank accounts, lawsuits, tax sales, IRS levies, sheriff sales, and creditor calls. It won't stop child/spousal support enforcement or criminal matters.

What can I keep?

Almost all filers keep their house, car, and retirement accounts. Pennsylvania uses the Federal exemptions.

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, how do I know?

It depends on your income compared to the PA median and a few other tests (the Means Test). We walk through this during your free consultation.

What is the Automatic Stay?

It stops creditors from contacting or collecting during your bankruptcy, lasting 6 months to 5 years depending on chapter.

Can bankruptcy stop a scheduled sheriff sale?

Yes. If a sale date has been set, reach out right away so we can move quickly, even up to one hour before the sale.

How long does PA foreclosure take?

Roughly 4–6 months. You don't have to leave the house until an ejectment action and default judgment are entered, though we don't recommend waiting that long.

Should I try a loan modification first?

You can pursue a modification and still file bankruptcy for other debts. Banks now often consider modifications during an active bankruptcy too.

Do you offer remote consultations?

Yes, most appointments are done via Zoom, with day, evening, and weekend slots available.

How much does it cost?

Fees are among the lowest in south central PA, discussed upfront during your free consult and provided in writing. No hidden fees.

What's the Screenshare Appointment?

A ~2 hour Zoom session with Attorney Cutaia, currently $325, fully credited toward your total bankruptcy fee.

What documents do I need?

Tax returns, pay stubs, and ID, outlined in our Checklist & Instructions. Everything uploads through our paperless MyCase portal.

What's the counseling course?

Two parts: an online questionnaire, then a session with a counselor. Can be started early if planning to file within 5 months.
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Ready to Talk Through Your Options?

No judgment, no pressure. Free consultations by phone or video.
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