Free Consultation: (518) 451-9388Tap to Call This Lawyer
Jonathan David Warner

Jonathan David Warner

  • Bankruptcy, Foreclosure Defense, Tax Law
  • New York
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&ASocial Media
Biography

Jonathan D. Warner is the co-founder and managing partner at Warner & Warner, PLLC in Albany New York. Jonathan focuses his practice in the areas of Consumer Bankruptcy Law, Foreclosure Defense Law, Consumers’ Rights Law, and Mortgage Modification assistance. Prior to attending law school, Jonathan graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from SUNY Albany in 2007. Thereafter, Jonathan graduated from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2011. During law school, Jonathan participated in the Jessup International Moot Court Team, served as an elected student leader in two student organizations, and worked as the Senior Research Assistant at his law school’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Additionally, Jonathan also had the privilege of serving as a summer judicial intern with the U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of New York, where he clerked for Hon. Lawrence E. Kahn and thereafter for Hon. Robert E. Littlefield, Jr., respectively. Jonathan is passionate about providing pro bono services to members of the Capital Region community. In recognition of his pro bono efforts, Jonathan was awarded the 2014 Kurt Clobridge Memorial Award for Pro Bono Service by The Legal Project. Jonathan was also awarded the 2013 and 2014 Top Contributor Award from Avvo.com. In his spare time, Jonathan enjoys spending time with his wife, Meg, and their two spoiled cats, Master and Margarita. When he isn’t at work, Jonathan enjoys reading, hiking, and riding his motorcycle.

Practice Areas
    Bankruptcy
    Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, Debt Relief
    Foreclosure Defense
    Tax Law
    Business Taxes, Criminal Tax Litigation, Estate Tax Planning, Income Taxes, International Taxes, Payroll Taxes, Property Taxes, Sales Taxes, Tax Appeals, Tax Audits, Tax Planning
Fees
  • Free Consultation
  • Credit Cards Accepted
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New York
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
U.S. Tax Court
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Summer Judicial Clerk
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New York
-
Summer Judicial Clerk
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
-
Education
Michigan State University
J.D. (2011) | Tax Law
-
Michigan State University Logo
State University of New York - Albany
B.A. (2007) | Sociology and Economics
-
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa Golden Key Society
State University of New York - Albany Logo
Awards
Honor Roll
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New York
Top 40 Bankruptcy Lawyers Under 40
American Society of Legal Advocates
Honor Roll
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New York
Honor Roll
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New York
Kurt Clobridge Pro Bono Service Award
The Legal Project
Professional Associations
Albany County Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
New York State Bar Association
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Speaking Engagements
The Changing Landscape of Auto Assets in Bankruptcy, Teleconference
Websites & Blogs
Website
Warner & Warner, PLLC Website
Legal Answers
99 Questions Answered
Q. I'm in Ch13, had COVID foreclosure protection, but the bank fraudulently filed & received Termination of Automatic Stay
A: Based upon the facts you've presented, it doesn't sound as if any fraud was committed - though I do sympathize with your frustration.

In just about any case, non-payment of your mortgage is grounds for termination of the Automatic Stay in a Bankruptcy Case. The COVID-19 Hardship Affidavit only stayed a foreclosure action in State Court, not the Federal Courts - so there was nothing impermissible about the Bank filing a Motion for Relief from Stay... it would be another story if they continued the foreclosure action in State Court after the Stay was lifted.

It is rather unfortunate that your attorney did not inform you of the Motion for Relief. With that said, the Motion would have also been served upon you via mail. Still, it is rather unfortunate that there was a breakdown in communication between you and your legal counsel.

My honest advice is that you allocate your limited funds towards saving the house. Litigating accusations of fraud against the Bank will only cost you time and money that could otherwise be parlayed towards a resolution that prevents the loss of your home. Winning a case of fraud against the Bank, at best, might garner an award of a few thousand dollars... and then leaving you with a foreclosure to deal with afterwards - you would be extremely unlikely to get a discharge of the mortgage by successfully litigating accusations of fraud against your mortgage lender.

For what it's worth, I talk to a lot of people who are angry with their mortgage lenders (some for better reasons than others). At the end of the day, what's most important is saving your home from foreclosure and preserving affordable shelter. Animus towards the Bank shouldn't take priority. Just two cents from a guy who dies this stuff for a living...

Good luck with your case!
... Read More
Q. Declaring chapter 7 before foreclosure
A: As a general rule, filing a bankruptcy will eliminate all of your debts. There are exceptions (student loans, for instance), but none of the other debts you've listed will survive the bankruptcy. Further, there will not be any tax consequences emerging from your bankruptcy discharge because debt discharged by bankruptcy is specifically excluded from the IRS' definition of "income" (26 U.S.C. Sections 61 - 62). Also, it'd be a lot more strange if you could afford to pay the mortgage on a $900K house and you were looking to file for bankruptcy...

In other words, you're clear to file. You'll probably want to do so sooner rather than later, because 1099-C's can be more difficult to exclude from gross income if they're issued prior to the bankruptcy filing.

Good luck with your case!
... Read More
Q. I cosigned for someone 2 years ago and now I have a repossession activity on my credit. I cant contact the person.
A: Filing a bankruptcy will remove the negative remarks from your credit and permit you to start fresh. If you don't intend to file for bankruptcy, you'd have to sue your cosigner - which would be much more expensive and difficult than filing bankruptcy!

If you're interested in the bankruptcy route, speak to an experienced attorney before making any final decisions.

Good luck with your case!
View More Answers
Contact & Map
6 Automation Lane
Suite 109
Albany, NY 12205
Telephone: (518) 451-9388
Fax: (518) 767-4522