If you are thinking about bankruptcy, you might be nervous, scared, or embarrassed. All of those are perfectly natural feelings, but please know that I truly care about all my clients and there will be no judgment with me. I fully understand that people file bankruptcy for all sorts of reasons, from job loss, medical bills, and divorce, to name just a few. Sometimes it is because someone just isn't great with money - and that is OK too! :)

I will be sure to go over all of your options with you, including non-bankruptcy options. I will take my time to explain everything to you so you feel comfortable with any decision you make. I have been told on more than a few occasions that I make filing for bankruptcy fun. So try not to stress and give me a call. The consultation is free and I promise you that you will feel so much better after we talk.

My firm is small, and the lawyers I work with all take pride in being extremely responsive to our clients. You won't be leaving messages, waiting days for someone to get back to you. We know that having a legal issue can be very stressful and when you have a question, you want an answer quickly.

Background: Dawn was born in Queens, New York, and admitted to the Pennsylvania bar in 1996. She received her associate's degree in 1991 from Westchester Community College in Valhalla, NY, her Bachelor of Science degree in 1993 from Barry University in Miami, Florida, graduating summa cum laude, and her law degree in 1996 from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Dawn has practiced a wide variety of law since being admitted to the bar in 1996, including criminal defense, family law, and bankruptcy. Dawn currently concentrates her practice in the areas of consumer bankruptcy. Dawn has been invovled with the Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association for many years, including serving on the board.

Bankruptcy: Dawn handles both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, as well as assisting clients with negotiating with creditors when bankruptcy is not an option or not the option clients wish to pursue. Dawn assists clients with mortgage foreclosures, loan modifications, and the defense of lawsuits by credit card companies and other creditors. Dawn has been practicing bankruptcy law since she became an attorney in 1996.

Dawn is a regular speaker for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute and the Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association, where she develops courses and teaches other lawyers about technology, bankruptcy, ethics, and criminal defense. Dawn is a former president of the Middle District Bankruptcy Bar Association and currently serves as a board member and co-chair of the Technology and Website Committee.

Dawn was awarded the York County Bar Foundation's Pro Bono Award several times throughout her career and is committed to assisting indigent clients whenever possible.

Dawn's hobbies include cycling, running, photography, quilting and sewing, and hanging out with her dog, Foxy.

Practice Areas

Bankruptcy and Debt 25%

I help clients figure out the best way to deal with overwhelming debt, whether that be by filing a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, or by negotiating settlements with their creditors or litigating creditor lawsuits.

25%

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy 25%

25%

Debt Collection 25%

25%

Debt Settlement 25%

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Payment Methods

Cash
Check

Licenses

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 29 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1996

Active

No misconduct found

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Location

Fresh Start Law, PLLC

(717) 297-7556

Mobile

1701 W Market Street, York, PA, 17404

freshstartyork.com/

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Dawn Marie Cutaia's Reviews

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Overall Rating
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4.9 /5.0

107 Client Reviews

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5.0

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Practice Areas

Bankruptcy & Debt (55) Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (6) Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (4) Lawsuits & Disputes (4) Debt Settlement (3) Business (2) Debt Collection (2) Foreclosure (2) Child Support (1) Contracts & Agreements (1)

What Clients Mention

Practice Area Knowledge (33) Recommendation (31) Professionalism (29) Case Results (28) Responsiveness (26) Communication Style (22) Compassion (20) Advocacy (19) Character & Conduct (13) General Knowledge (13) Trustworthiness (8) Cost of Services (5) Staff & Support (5) Punctuality (3) Payment Plans (1)

Showing 11 - 15 of 31 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Kim | January 20, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

A+ Representation

Dawn is hands down the kindest, most compassionate and understanding lawyer I have ever worked with. Bankruptcy is a very scary thing to undertake. It takes a lot of time and consideration to make sure it's the right path for you. From the moment I reached out to Dawn she went above and beyond to mak...e me feel comfortable, confident, and understood. She explained everything in layman's terms and was always available for questions. I was a bit needy at times and not once did she ever express any hint of annoyance at my ridiculous questions and requests (thanks for that!). It was so comforting to have a competent and empathetic individual representing me over the last 5 years. It truly felt like I was a person and not a number or paycheck. I highly recommend Dawn's services for whatever your needs might be. You won't regret it. And while I hope to never need her services again, I would not hesitate for a moment before choosing Dawn to represent me in the future.

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Dawn Cutaia

Replied last January 22, 2022

Kim - it is perfectly normal to be stressed out during this whole process. I really enjoyed representing you! You deserve your fresh start. Thank you for letting me help you get it :) - Dawn

Posted by Matt | February 18, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Excellent Guidance and Representation Through Our Chapter 13 Plan

Dawn was an excellent choice when we had to discuss our situation. She was very clear and thorough in laying out the facts and information we needed before we made our decision to file Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Dawn made the process very easy on us and walked us through everything step by step. Durin...g our five year plan life happened and Dawn helped us through it and helped us file an additional motion in regards to needs for a vehicle. Dawn was very quick to respond to our inquiries through email and text message. As we neared the end of our plan Dawn provided all the information we needed as we worked towards our discharge letter. I had many questions about how the process worked and what it all meant and again, she was very quick, clear and thorough on her responses. As she was when we filed she handled this quickly and made it very simple for us to do. Even though we wish we would not have had to file and work through a Chapter 13 plan, we absolutely made the right decision in having Dawn represent us through this.

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Dawn Cutaia

Replied last February 18, 2021

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review - I really appreciate it. I'm so glad I was able to help you guys get through this - you were both easy to work with and you listened to me and took my advice - so thank you for that too! If you ever need anything further, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.

Posted by Jamie | February 10, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

Compassionate & experienced!

Dawn Cutaia is an absolute gem to work with! My husband & I hired Dawn to work on our Bankruptcy case. She helped make an unfortunate situation into an exciting new chapter in our family’s lives! The experience & compassion is what had sold us! Before hiring Dawn we had consulted with a few different... attorneys who we had felt weren’t truly listening to our needs, but we didn’t give up. We came across Dawn Cutaia and didn’t look back, only forward! Its never easy making these types of decisions, but with Dawn she made us feel confident in our decision! She listened to our needs, understood our situation & for that we will forever be grateful to have had her with us through this journey. As much of a trying time it was, I would do it all over again with Dawn! The only thing we wish we would have done different- is doing it sooner! I recommend Dawn 100%!!

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Dawn Cutaia

Replied last February 10, 2020

Jamie - you guys were so wonderful to represent - I had so much fun talking to you both and I am thrilled you had such a positive experience. Thank you for letting me help you :)

Posted by anonymous | November 02, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

Great person, great service

Dawn is amazing. She made what I thought would be a daunting and scary process smooth, simple to understand and do. She is kind, easygoing and can explain complex issues in language that is understandable by any lay person. I would highly recommend Dawn to anyone contemplating bankruptcy. She can an...swer your questions, assuage your concerns and make it all happen relatively painlessly. I hope that I never have to file bankruptcy again, but if I do, I will definitely be contacting Dawn.

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Dawn Cutaia

Replied last November 02, 2019

Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review and for your kind words. I am so glad you are feeling better and the experience was easy for you :) - Dawn

Posted by Greg | July 01, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt

DAWN IS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!

I'm a small business owner in central Pa. I was in a place, that I just could NOT imagine that I would ever be in financially. I got myself into a bind. After struggling what do to and what not to do for some time, I made the call to Dawn. Now, I have to tell everyone...that I'm what I call a "basket... case client" lol. My nerves were shot....I was a complete mess. Not knowing what to do, where to start, what to say, how to say it. And on the other end of my phone line.....was the calmest, coolest most collected, confident, well spoken put you at ease gal I have EVER met! That was/is Dawn. She put me at ease right away. She talked to me like I was a person, like I mattered, and made me feel like I wasn't alone. And I was NOT alone with Dawn. She answered EVERY question I had. She answered every one of my "OMG WHAT THE HECK AM I GOING TO DO"! Texts. I'm the kind of person that needs reassurance. That I'm on the right path, that I'm doing this the right way. She gave that to me and MORE! And I NEEDED THAT! VERY, VERY MUCH! As a small business owner, I struggled with the decisions I made. How did I get to this place? Am I the only one in the world that has dropped the ball like this? Can I rebuild my company? Can I get another shot at trying? Guys and gals reading this.....DAWN GAVE ME THE CONFIDENCE TO DO THIS! And CONTINUE TO DO THIS! I have a clean slate! And I'm gonna give it my all to build this again! Dawn was and IS a HUGE PART OF THAT. I'm not the most well spoken, or articulate person writing this review. I know that. But let me tell you....DAWN IS FREAKING AWESOME!!! I absolutely ADORE this woman! You want someone who shoots straight from the hip....cuts through the crap....Tells you what's up....guides you, and TALKS TO YOU LIKE A PERSON.....THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE LADY YOU TALK TO! I'm VERY fortunate to have made this call, and found Dawn. I'm telling you I was in tears over the decision to file. This was a TOUGH decision for me. I just had a hard time admitting to myself I needed help. I'm a guy....what do you expect... :) If you're considering calling an attorney...If your nerves are COMPLETELY SHOT.....CALL DAWN. Talk to her.....let her talk to you. She's the real deal. She's as real as real can get. I actually miss blowing up her phone with 20 questions while she's trying to relax....lol... Thanks for reading....:)

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Dawn Cutaia

Replied last July 01, 2019

Greg - you are awesome :) I am so glad everything worked out for you and you can text me any time you want LOL.

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