lakeview-law-group in New York, NY

4.2/5

Lakeview Law Group is a New York City-based law firm specializing in debt settlement. Founded 2018, led by attorney Sonny S. Shalom. BBB B (not accredited) with 51 complaints. 2,680 Google reviews, mixed customer feedback.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

From Free/mo BBB: B Free Consultation Visit Website

lakeview-law-group Review

Lakeview Law Group PLLC is a law firm headquartered at 463 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, founded in 2018 and led by attorney Sonny S. Shalom. The firm specializes in debt relief services, primarily debt settlement and negotiation on behalf of consumers with significant unsecured debts. The law firm structure differentiates Lakeview from non-attorney settlement companies, providing attorney-client privilege and the ability to represent clients in court if creditors pursue litigation. The firm has approximately 2,680 Google reviews and 2,750 Birdeye reviews.

Lakeview Law Group's services follow the standard debt settlement model: consumers enroll eligible unsecured debts, accumulate funds in a dedicated account, and the firm negotiates with creditors to accept less than the full balance. The law firm principals reportedly have experience dating to the early 2000s. The company serves clients in multiple states and offers free consultations. Settlement fees are charged only after successful negotiation, consistent with FTC regulations.

The firm holds a BBB B rating (not accredited) with 51 complaints in the past three years. Consumer reviews are significantly divided: Birdeye and Google show strong satisfaction scores, while investigative reviews and consumer complaint sites reveal concerning patterns. Specific complaints include paying for extended periods (almost 2 years in one case) with minimal creditor payments, receiving warrants in debt (creditor lawsuits) during the program, and difficulty reaching the firm for status updates. The GetOutOfDebt.org review raises additional questions about the firm's practices and consumer outcomes.

When evaluating debt relief companies, consumers should compare settlement programs against alternatives like debt consolidation loans, which combine multiple debts into a single fixed-rate payment. Credit counseling through nonprofit agencies offers free budgeting help without impacting credit scores. For those whose credit has already been damaged, credit repair services can address inaccurate negative items on reports. Personal loans for bad credit may provide funds for debt payoff at lower rates than credit cards, and credit monitoring services help track progress throughout the recovery process. Consolidating high-interest balances into a single installment loan with a fixed rate can reduce total interest paid and simplify monthly budgeting.

Services & Features

Attorney-led debt settlement and creditor negotiation

Bankruptcy filing and legal representation (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13)

Credit card debt resolution

Debt defense against creditor lawsuits and collection actions

Free legal consultation for debt relief evaluation

Medical debt negotiation and settlement

Student loan debt counseling

Feature Checklist

Mobile App

Online Portal

Score Tracking

Credit Education

Personal Advisor

Identity Theft Protection

Pricing Plans

Debt Relief Legal Services

Free /mo

Free initial legal consultation
Attorney-led debt negotiation
Creditor lawsuit defense
Debt validation and verification
Performance-based attorney fees
Wage garnishment protection

Get Started

Pros & Cons

Pros

Attorney-led debt relief provides legal protection and representation that non-attorney firms cannot offer
BBB B rating indicates some compliance with complaint resolution standards
NYC location provides accessibility for consumers in the tri-state metropolitan area

Cons

51 BBB complaints in the filing period suggest recurring consumer experience issues
BBB B rating (below A-tier) indicates room for improvement in complaint handling
Attorney-led services may cost more than non-attorney debt settlement alternatives
Limited publicly available information about fee structures and typical case outcomes

Rating Breakdown

Value

5.0

Effectiveness

3.7

Customer Service

4.1

Transparency

4.1

Ease of Use

4.2

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is lakeview-law-group legitimate?

Yes. lakeview-law-group is a registered company, headquartered in New York, NY, founded in 2018. They hold a B rating with the Better Business Bureau.

How much does lakeview-law-group cost?

lakeview-law-group plans start at Free per month with no setup fee. No money-back guarantee is offered.

How long does lakeview-law-group take to show results?

Results vary.

Quick Facts

Founded: 2018
Headquarters: New York, NY
Employees: 51-200
BBB Rating: B
BBB Accredited: No
Certifications: BBB B rating (not accredited) Law firm structure (PLLC) New York State Bar registered Attorney Sonny S. Shalom, principal 51 BBB complaints in past 3 years FTC-regulated fee-after-settlement model
Starting Price: Free/mo
Setup Fee: None
Free Consultation: Yes
Money-Back Guarantee: No

Visit lakeview-law-group

+1 855-268-6300 463 7th Ave 21st Floor, New York, NY 10018

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on lakeview-law-group

Lakeview Law Group provides attorney-backed debt settlement from a prestigious Manhattan address, which provides genuine advantages for consumers facing creditor litigation. However, the BBB B rating, 51 complaints, and reports of consumers paying for extended periods with minimal results are serious concerns. The divided review profile (high Google/Birdeye vs. negative investigative coverage) warrants careful evaluation. Before enrolling: verify the firm's standing with the New York State Bar, get the fee structure in writing, understand expected timelines, and compare against Five Lakes Law Group and non-attorney providers like TurboDebt or National Debt Relief.

Best For

Consumers with significant unsecured debt who want attorney-backed settlement negotiations from a New York law firm
Those facing creditor lawsuits who need combined legal defense and debt settlement
Individuals who prefer the added protection of attorney-client privilege in debt negotiations
Borrowers who have researched the firm and are comfortable with the BBB B rating and complaint history

Updated 2026-04-29

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Freedom Debt Relief

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National Debt Relief

National Debt Relief is a debt settlement and consolidation company helping consumers resolve credit card debt through negotiated settlements, with A+ BBB accreditation and over 1.3 million clients served.

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Financial Terms Explained (14 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

How Loans Work

Default — Loan Default

When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.

Why it matters

Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.

Example

You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).

Legal Terms

CFPB — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.

Why it matters

The CFPB is your most powerful ally against predatory lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.

Example

A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.

FDCPA — Fair Debt Collection Practices Act

A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and must stop contacting you if you request in writing.

Why it matters

Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you can sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.

Example

A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.

Garnishment — Wage Garnishment

A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and wins a judgment.

Why it matters

Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.

Example

You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.

Statute of Limitations — Statute of Limitations (Debt)

A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.

Why it matters

Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.

Example

You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.

Debt & Recovery

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (Reorganization)

A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.

Why it matters

Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.

Example

You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy — Chapter 7 Bankruptcy (Liquidation)

A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.

Why it matters

Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income must be below your state's median to qualify.

Example

You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.

Charge-Off

When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.

Why it matters

A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.

Example

You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).

Collections — Debt Collections

When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.

Why it matters

Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.

Example

An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.

Debt Consolidation

Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.

Why it matters

Consolidation works best when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.

Example

You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.

Debt Settlement — Debt Settlement / Negotiation

Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.

Why it matters

Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.

Example

You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.

DTI Ratio — Debt-to-Income Ratio

The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.

Why it matters

Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.

Example

You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.

Judgment — Court Judgment (Debt)

A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.

Why it matters

Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.

Example

A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and wins a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.

Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.

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