Free Consultation: (484) 415-0144Tap to Call This Lawyer
W. J. Winterstein Jr.

W. J. Winterstein Jr.

Montgomery and Berks County, Experienced practitioner in Civil matters
  • Bankruptcy, Collections, Foreclosure Defense ...
  • Pennsylvania
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&AResponsive Law
Biography

A solo practitioner, I work from a home office in Boyertown, PA, about 30 miles from center-city Philadelphia, and most of my cases are litigated in Philadelphia and Reading courts. With the assistance of local counsel, I also handle matters in Delaware. I have over 30 years experience in both state and federal courts; bankruptcy and mortgage foreclosure/workout are a large part of my practice. There isn't much I haven't seen, or done. PLEASE CONTACT ME BY EMAIL FIRST, as that is my preference, and more reliable for each of us.

Practice Areas
    Bankruptcy
    Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
    Collections
    Foreclosure Defense
    Consumer Law
    Lemon Law
    Probate
    Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Additional Practice Area
  • General Civil
Fees
  • Free Consultation
    I am happy to chat with you about your issues, for no charge, for up to one hour.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Pennsylvania
Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Attorney
Law Office of W.J. Winterstein, Jr.
- Current
Over 30 years experience in bankruptcy reorganizations, out of court workouts, debtor/creditor, civil practice in all state and federal courts in PA, OK, with practice encompassing NJ and DE through local counsel. Admitted to Third Circuit, Tenth Circuit, and U.S. Supreme Court, and all lower courts in PA.
Education
Oklahoma City University School of Law
J.D.
-
Honors: Graduated with honors, 2nd of 208, 1976
Oklahoma City University School of Law Logo
Awards
BV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations
PA Bar Association
member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Eastern district of PA Bankruptcy Conference
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Legal Answers
460 Questions Answered
Q. A hospital filed bankruptcy and a collection agency is coming after for bills not paid are they allowed to do this?
A: When most businesses (a hospital is very much a business) file for bankruptcy protection, it is done under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy code, with the intent to "reorganize" financially.

In that scenario, collections, even small-scale, of amounts which may be owed to the organization in bankruptcy, are a considerable and perhaps important piece.

Contrary to your comment, the reorganized hospital's "finances" are NOT "wiped out", but become highly important, whether the hospital will "bootstrap" its revitalization, or procure new financing/new ownership.

In other words, you definitely need to deal with your collection problem. Direct contact with whoever is leading that charge may be advisable, with an eye toward paying cash in some discounted amount to resolve the issue with finality. ... Read More
Q. Shady debt collector and lawyer what do I do ?
A: That you've "confirmed as true" that you're in the process of being true means to me that there is a pending, actual Complaint pending in a Utah court of record against you.

While it is usually viable to deal directly with the holder of a defaulted account, or its lawyer, to resolve the matter, your suspicions may be valid in this instance.

For that reason, to take the "shady" debt collector and its lawyer out of the equation, you can make a payment directly to the Court Clerk in the pending lawsuit against you, with the date noted (the date may impact the accrual of "attorneys fees"), noting that it is to be used for payment of the litigated amount due. In that way, you make a record of your payment that you can rely upon.

While the amount is somewhat low, it is always advisable to speak with an experienced attorney licensed to practice in your jurisdiction about your concerns and the best path forward for you to accomplish your goals.
... Read More
Q. Can I apply for a credit card if I have received my chapter 13 discharge but not my final decree?
A: Of course, you can ask for anything, but in my experience, creditors are quite leery of recent bankrupt debtors.

All creditors, in my experience, will insist upon a Discharge first, and many will want to see the final Decree and close of your bankrupcty case before considering your Application.

In addition, most credit card issuers will only issue "secured" credit cards to recent bankruptcy debtors. With secured cards, the issuer requires your payment in advance (which becomes your credit limit), then charges you interest (for the use of your own money!) for any use of the credit card. In other words, they're a bad deal.

Over the next several months, you will receive offers from credit issuers. You should probably wait to receive and consider those before you pursue any offers. It will take some time to restore/rebuild your credit rating. ... Read More
View More Answers
Contact & Map
Law Office of W.J. Winterstein, Jr.
P.O. Box 285
Boyertown, PA 19512
Telephone: (484) 415-0144
Monday: 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Thursday: 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Saturday: 6:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Sunday: 6:30 AM - 5 PM
Notice: I work from my home office at this point.
Law Office of W.J. Winterstein, Jr.
PO BOX 285
BOYERTOWN, PA 19512
Telephone: (484) 415-0144
Monday: 7 AM - 10 PM (Today)
Tuesday: 7 AM - 10 PM
Wednesday: 7 AM - 10 PM
Thursday: 7 AM - 10 PM
Friday: 7 AM - 10 PM
Saturday: 7 AM - 10 PM
Sunday: 7 AM - 10 PM