Firm Profile

     The Law Office of Donna M. Goerner P.A. practices in the areas of BANKRUPTCY, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, and WILLS and ESTATE PLANNING.

Bankruptcy
    If you are having trouble paying your debts, now may be the time to file bankrutpcy.  In today's economy people are finding that they have too many bills and not enough income.  Since the housing crisis, many people are finding themselves looking at foreclosure which could mean a deficiency judgment against them because they owe more on their house than the house is worth.   What that means is that if the bank auctions your house off for less than what you owed on it, the bank then come after you for the difference.  Filing for bankrutpcy prevents the lender from coming after you for that difference! 

    Bankruptcy is a legal process where debts can be discharged so that they will not have to be paid.  When this happens, creditors cannot try to collect debts or sue you to obtain a judgment for the debts.  While filing for bankruptcy will not necessarily prevent a bank from foreclosing against your home if you are behind on mortgage payments or repossession of your car if you have missed too many car payments, it will delay the process so that you can try to recoup your losses or make alternative plans.  However, not all debts can be discharged by filing for bankruptcy.  You cannot file a bankrutpcy to discharge student loan debts or alimony payments.   The Law Office of Donna M. Goerner, P.A. is here to help you alleviate the stress of too much debt and start over.  Filing for bankruptcy often is the first step.  There is no fee for the initial consultation.  Call for an appointment.

Criminal Defense
    Being arrested and accused of a crime is a very frightening experience.  Your freedom, job, home, reputation, friendships, and family relationships are all potentially affected by fear of the unknown.  You need to know your rights and options under the law and the time to act is immediately.  

    When a person is arrested by a police officer and charged with a crime, the State Attorney’s Office makes the ultimate decision whether to actually and formally file criminal charges and what charges to file.  Sometimes the State Attorney’s Office will file criminal charges even if a victim does not want them to proceed as is the case in many Domestic Violence situations.  Many times, the charge that is filed may be different from the charge that the police arrested you for.  My office will help you understand the difference in the ultimate charges you are facing and why the filing decision was made.  In some cases, my office may be able to intervene with the State Attorney’s Office and convince them to not file charges, or to file less serious charges in your case.   Depending on the facts of your case, my office may be able to help you minimize or even avoid many of the consequences associated with a criminal charge. 

Wills and Estate Planning
     The old cliché says “No one plans to fail, we only fail to plan.”  This cliché is especially true when it comes to preparing for the inevitable, death.  The preparation of a will and estate planning are important ways to insure that your family is cared for and that your good name is preserved after your death.  Drafting a will can be simple or complex depending on your assets but can hopefully eliminate questions that your loved ones might have about how to dispose of your property when you are no longer with them.  While a life insurance policy and a trust is not a substitute for a will, having life insurance, health care coverage, long term care insurance, mortgage protection insurance, and funeral arrangements in place ahead of time will relieve a great deal of pressure on your family members who can better use that time to properly grieve when you are no longer there. 

 
    My office can help you review and update your current plan or create a new plan for how your family and your property will be distributed when you die.  I work with insurance counselors, financial and investment advisors, accountants and other related professionals to help develop a complete and proper estate plan for you.