Best Bankruptcy lawyers in Portland, OR

59 Bankruptcy Lawyers in Portland, OR

>59

experienced lawyers

Conde Cox

1001 SW 5th Ave Ste 1100, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Business Intellectual Property +2 +5

5.0/5

5.0

37 Reviews

14 May, 2024 by Kieran sikdar

I am so grateful to have found Susan and her colleagues at Res Nova Law. Over the last two years they have helped me with a patent, trademark, contract documents, and also have provided wonderful general business support. As a first-time business owner, I am eternally grateful to Susan and her team for their guidance that has given me confidence in my path forward. I highly recommend Res Nova Law!

13 May, 2024 by W bruns

Susan Ford helped me prepare for a small claims case (where I represented my company) for a customer that sued us for nearly $5,000. Before hiring Susan I had checked with two other lawyers but I did not feel confident. Susan helped with both the mediation and the final court hearing. With her knowledge in my brain, I was able to make a clear and coherent explanation of events. The judge decided the case in my favor. I recommend Res Nova for anyone dealing with business issues in Oregon.

13 May, 2024 by Richard weber

We've worked with Susan Ford for many years and have always had excellent advice and counsel. We've established a number of Trademarks, and Susan has helped defend those trademarks. She has also helped us evolve from a sole proprietorship to a partnership to an LLC and provided all the legal advice and services necessary to get it right. When it comes to legal and business advice, Susan is our "go-to" resource.

Michelle Kathleen Freed

1040 NE 44th Avenue, Suite 4, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Debt Collection +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

20 Reviews

23 May, 2022 by Alan

From my first encounter and conversation with Michelle I knew I was in good hands. She did everything possible and used her legal skills to apply the needed pressure to get this Internet bank to respond and ultimately recover my hacked funds. I am grateful to have met Michelle through this transaction and legal advice and would highly recommend her services to anyone in my sphere.

23 Mar, 2022 by Jennifer t

Michelle was super helpful with information in dealing with a creditor. Thanks to her, I have some hope in getting my problem fixed. Thank you, Michelle!

11 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous

We traveled internationally in November 2019 and had $11,000 of fraudulent transactions made on our credit card. After trying to resolve this directly with Citi for 6 frustrating months without success we engaged Michelle. Michelle and team were responsive and transparent. I felt like I knew what my options were at every point in the process and had enough information to make an informed decision on next steps. Michelle started by trying to navigate similar channels we had tried (lower cost option for me) and when it became clear that wouldn't be effective, we changed course to take legal action which fully resolved the matter within less than 6 weeks. I was happy with the settlement - we were reimbursed for all fraudulent charges, legal fees and a couple hundred dollars for statutory damages. Would definitely recommend Michelle!

Brian E Wheeler

3939 NE Hancock St. Ste 304, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy +1

+1 (503) 683-7458

5.0/5

5.0

17 Reviews

12 Feb, 2015 by Annette

Brian Wheeler is an amazing attorney. He walked me through a very long and complicated bankruptcy. He is knowledgeable, professional, and caring. In the end, I was able to eliminate all my credit card debt and keep my house. Filing bankruptcy with him was one of the best decisions I have ever made. His fees are very reasonable and well worth all the time and service he gives to his clients. I really can't imagine going through this process without a good attorney, I would highly recommend him to anyone thinking of bankruptcy!

26 Sep, 2014 by Kelly

I cannot sing Brian's praises loud enough. I found him through an Internet search engine after my wages started being garnished. My financial life was in a spiral after a particularly difficult separation from my spouse. Brian was quick to respond to my email inquiry, set up an immediate appointment, walked me through the process step by step and reassured me the entire way. Due to the garnishment, he worked extra hard to make sure my case was ready to file ASAP. I literally had a case number within 8 hours of our first meeting. I was astonished at his "drop everything and help you" attitude. I've worked with lawyers in the past that have made the legal process drag on forever. Brian's knowledge, positive attitude, fabulous communication (through phone and email), and friendly personality was the rock that I needed to get through a scary time. Highly recommend him to anyone who is struggling financially.

31 Jul, 2014 by Jeff

I've known Brian, personally, for years. He's a solid, intelligent practitioner with a passion for his practice and clients.

Melissa Blythe Jaffe

P.O. Box. 14161, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Business Entertainment +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

5 Reviews

27 Oct, 2010 by Anonymous

In providing legal services to our business for a number of professional concerns over the past year Ms. Jaffe has proven herself to be an attentive, responsive, and tenacious advocate. She has expertly taken us through the process of identifying and reviewing points of concern, presented our options and lead us to successful resolutions. Through all of our interactions Ms. Jaffe has demonstrated an ability to address our legal concerns with a fine balance of empathy and sober dedication to protecting our interests.

24 Sep, 2010 by Kate

Melissa has helped us understand our needs around intellectual property and contractor agreements for our small online business. She not only has expert knowledge in these areas, but she has an empathic skillfulness in explaining the process and what we needed to know to make good decisions. We're looking forward to continuing our work with her for further legal assessment and support as needed. For those of us entrepreneurial types wanting to do business ethically and with heart and often somewhat reluctant to retain lawyers, Melissa provides a sturdy bridge between doing business differently and taking care to cover ourselves legally. We look forward to a long term relationship with Melissa as our lawyer.

23 Sep, 2010 by Mark

As a small business owner with a small budget legal advice and support has been one of those things that we've needed for a long time, and have avoided out of nervousness about cost and about legal issues themselves. Melissa has been fantastic- she's speaks our language and gets us, listens and truly hears us, and has been totally on top of what we needed. She's really guided us through the process of putting a critical part of our legal structure in place. At this point, basically she's our lawyer, and we'll be doing more work with her in the coming years.

Joseph A Field

621 SW Morrison St Ste 1225, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Litigation +2

5.0/5

5.0

4 Reviews

04 Sep, 2011 by Peter

Joe Field is a really good listener who challenges us with tough questions that make us think and get us involved. Joe is great at analyzing difficult situations and at coming up with efficient solutions. Joe takes the stress out of working with a lawyer and always seems to be on top of things. Joe knows how to cut to the chase and to get results in court and through direct negotiations too. I give Joe my strongest recommendation.

01 Sep, 2011 by Steve

Great attorney, really smart, always honest and fair. Great guy too. I highly recommend Joe Field & Field Jerger for all of your litigation and commercial needs.

01 Sep, 2011 by Michael

Joe Field defended us in a multi-party lawsuit after a business deal blew up. He did a great job throughout and got us a great result. Joe is extremely smart and very tactical. Joe's diligence and work ethic was exceptional, and he took our lawsuit as seriously as we did. Joe billed us fairly too. I completely recommend Joe Field without any reservation.

Christopher N. Coyle

1000 Southwest Broadway, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Tax +2

5.0/5

5.0

2 Reviews

19 Sep, 2017 by Sjm

I had the opportunity to discuss a matter with Mr. Coyle and was impressed with the depth of his knowledge in his practice area. I am an attorney in VA and had an issue arise which required that we seek local Counsel in OR. Mr. Coyle was spot on with his assessment and provided several possible avenues for a resolution. His focus was on the client's best solution, which is the attitude I needed.

26 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous

At the age of 63, I was forced to file bankruptcy due to the closure of the company I owned. I also owed quite a bit in taxes. Having never gone through this, I was terrified of losing my home, car, and everything. Chris came highly recommended to me by another attorney, so I made an appointment to meet with him. Chris was very empathetic to my situation and thoroughly explained everything to me. He was always available whenever I had questions, or just needed reassurance. Although still a very difficult thing to have to go through, Chris made it much easier for me by putting everything into perspective. I am so grateful for all that Chris has done to help me with this. I would highly recommend him.

Scot J Eliot

420 SW Washington St, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Debt Settlement Family Law +1 +4

5.0/5

5.0

2 Reviews

01 Mar, 2015 by Jay

Scot handled our bankruptcy with the utmost care, professionalism and expertise. Couldn't have asked for a better experience. Thank you!

16 Jul, 2011 by Mark j.

Talked to Scot on the phone for 45 minutes. He gave me helpful advice.

Mark Andrew Ditton

2225 NE Alberta, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy +1

5.0/5

5.0

2 Reviews

29 Jul, 2010 by Anonymous

Mark Ditton helped me through an uncomfortable situation. I expecially appreciated his manner; he was straight-forward and kind.

25 Mar, 2010 by Anonymous

Mark helped me file Chapter 7 Bankruptcy last year. He made the process easy by answering all my questions and concerns, filing all the paperwork, allowing me to make payments to him and guiding me through the court process at the meeting of the creditors. He was available through the whole process by phone and e-mail. I would highly recommend him.

Michael William Fletcher

888 SW 5th Ave Ste 1600, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Business +2

5.0/5

5.0

2 Reviews

02 Nov, 2016 by Anonymous

Mike represented my small business in a Ch 11 last year. He and his team did a phenomenal job which ultimately led to my plan of reorganization being approved by the court!!! I was truly blessed to have been referred to Mike Fletcher because he is the reason why my doors are still open today. If anyone is in need of top level legal representation look no further!

02 Nov, 2016 by Anonymous

I've had the opportunity to utilize Mr. Fletcher's legal expertise on both a corporate and personal basis. I believe Mr. Fletcher's ability to "size up" complex legal issues quickly and completely, as nothing short or extraordinary! Mr. Fletcher also has the ability to recognize financial issues that impact businesses; a talent and expertise which many commercial legal counsel lack. I would highly recommend Mr. Fletcher in any (and all) corporate/private commercial legal matters.

Brian D Turner

2100 NE Broadway, Suite 301, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy +1

4.8/5

5.0

6 Reviews

4.7

14 Reviews

18 Sep, 2024 by Jackie a

THANK YOU! Steven Leskin Attorney at Law Leskin Law & Mediation. You are on top of my recommendations list!!! I honestly thought I would have to wait for weeks if not months to get my divorce final but you did it in just days. Your professional demeanor and dedication to my case not only provided me with security but truly went above and beyond my expectations. You completely impressed me with your professionalism and customer service. 1 Trillion Thank You to you!!

14 Aug, 2024 by Niko corleone

This law firm is another money hungry business and so bad so, that they answer their phones just to tell you it a cost you least $600 to even talk to them about your case. Then become very disrespectful and arrogant as if they were Johnny Cochran or something. Why would anybody pay anything to anybody other than a therapist who is suppose to listen for a conversation? I think things like this might be red flags for those not so good attorneys cus no matter what they make $30k just Talking to 10 people. Garbage

31 May, 2024 by Morgan hite

Steven was wonderful to work with.He was very knowledgeable and professional. I would highly recommend leskin law

Theodore James Piteo

12909 SW 68th Pkwy, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Business Foreclosure +3

4.8/5

4.8

20 Reviews

07 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous

Mr. Piteo was amazing to work with. My elderly mother was scheduled for an eviction hearing within a week or less. I called more than a dozen lawyers but they either said it was too late or they were just too busy. Mr. Piteo was able to find a way for my mother to keep her house. I would recommend Mr. Piteo because he is great to work with, he knows his stuff, and his service is worth way more than what he charges. He is a lifesaver. And our family will be forever grateful.

09 Jan, 2021 by Terry

I am so appreciative of the excellent help, competency, and kindness I received from Michael O'Brien and Ted Piteo! I spoke with 7 bankruptcy firms, and because of my particular type of debt and amount of assets I have, none of them had a solution that helped me out - I was very worried about financial hardship without bankruptcy. Finally, I found O’Brien and Associates, and they were the only firm in the entire state of Oregon that had first-hand experience with a new part of the Chapter 11 code (subchapter V) – this is the route we took to succeed in my bankruptcy. I worked with both of the firm’s attorneys, Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Piteo. They are both highly qualified and competent, with complementary strengths that make them an excellent and formidable team. They are just honest, good people – I’d enjoy having them as neighbors! Both Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Piteo have a high degree of integrity, and I trust them both. For example, at one point, I understood Mr. O’Brien to have made a billing commitment, and when I saw something that seemed to not match that commitment, I called him up and we worked it out in a mutually acceptable, reasonable way that left me trusting him more. My case was moderately complex (at least for a small business owner such as myself), and both Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Piteo did an excellent job of assessing potential weaknesses in my case and explaining potential outcomes, so I always felt secure knowing what potential pitfalls might come and how to deal with them. Mr. O’Brien did high-quality and skillfully-nuanced settlement negotiations with one of my creditors (my ex-wife). Mr. Piteo represented me during the pendency of my case in bankruptcy court. He did an excellent job of negotiating with one of my creditors to ease the way to getting my plan confirmed. He also was timely with answering my questions, and allaying my concerns by providing me with honest, accurate information. An added bonus is that Mr. Piteo is lively and fun, which made the entire process easier to handle, and I even enjoyed it! Mr. Piteo did such an excellent job of litigating my case in bankruptcy court, to the point that the judge gave her ruling at the end of the hearing, and we won everything we proposed in the Chapter 11 reorganization plan. He also did an excellent job preparing me to testify, both with specific questions he’d ask me, and how to handle combative questions from my ex-wife’s lawyer. I am so relieved I found O’Brien and Associates, that I could trust them, and I am very grateful for their great care, competence, and help in my 100% successful bankruptcy case. They delivered as they said they would, without surprises, and I highly recommend them.

01 Apr, 2019 by Andrea

I cannot recommend this firm highly enough. When I came in for my consultation, I was at the lowest point of my life. I feeling very scared about my future ahead and had a lot of shame about considering filing for bankruptcy. From the beginning, I was impressed at the level of care and empathy that was shown to me by everyone at the firm that interacted with. I am forever grateful for this firm. Lauren was always available to answer my questions. Ted especially was an amazing advocate for me and always made sure that I had access to all my of options and was able to make informed decisions. I never thought I would ever have so much trust in an attorney and always felt like he had my best interest at heart. Six months after my initial consultation, I feel confident that I made the right choice for myself and am able to move ahead in this new chapter of my life. I have this firm to thank for that, and have already recommended them to several people I know who are considering filing.

Barry P Caplan

1000 SW Broadway Ste 1400, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Business Litigation +3

4.7/5

4.7

553 Reviews

24 Sep, 2024 by Maria de lourdes acuna silva.

I am so grateful to Gonzales immigration law offices for helping my husband get this Green Card. His case was difficult, but we were able to get it through Quilantan. We are so excited to be able travel, visit family, and drink beer in Germany!!

24 Sep, 2024 by Lines dance academy

18 Sep, 2024 by Fredy alvarez

I got my green card through my U-Visa case with Gonzales Immigration Law Offices. I am very satisfied and grayeful with their work on my case and would recommend their office to anyone looking for help. Life is great! 🙏🏻

Ann K. Chapman

1000 Southwest Broadway, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Real Estate +2

4.7/5

4.7

419 Reviews

24 Sep, 2024 by Maria de lourdes acuna silva.

24 Sep, 2024 by Lines dance academy

18 Sep, 2024 by Fredy alvarez

Joanne Reisman

8835 SW Canyon Lane Suite 301, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Car Accident Estate Planning +3 +6

4.5/5

4.5

8 Reviews

04 Mar, 2024 by Johnso116

Thank you so much for your quick response to my sister having a stroke w/o will or POA. Since the eldest son is here from overseas, it was a great comfort to discuss his options with him. We spent most of Sunday with the family and my sister...she passed quietly in her sleep early Monday morning...once again...thank you so much..

24 Oct, 2019 by Georg

Ms Reisman was a great help to me. I came to her with my legal problem which was also a great source of stress. She was very responsive to my request, and helped me personally. She provided relevant and useful information and also showed that she cared about me and my well-being. She is very knowledgeable and also showed that she is a kind and caring human being, and not just looking for clients, but does want to help people.

19 Jul, 2019 by Denise

I spoke with Joanne and she really knows her stuff. She helped point me in the right direction which was more than helpful. I would definitely recommend her to fight for me on any case.

Christopher J. Mertens

1040 NE 44th Ave, Ste 4, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Debt Collection +2 +5

4.3/5

5.0

12 Reviews

4.0

23 Reviews

29 Jun, 2024 by Diane barr

Great to work with. She was instrumental in helping resolve a collections case. I would highly recommend.

26 Jun, 2023 by S

We had an unfortunate experience that needed dealing with and Chris was thoughtful, patient, and went above and beyond to help resolve our issue. Would definitely recommend!

14 Apr, 2023 by Brandon moye

Terrible, dishonest, disgusting, Big B

Jacob D Braunstein

2225 NE Alberta, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Consumer Protection Criminal Defense +3

4.3/5

4.3

13 Reviews

28 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous

Where do I start? From the moment I contacted Jake I felt at ease. Facing criminal charges is no joke and to say I was stressed out would be an understatement. Jake listened to my side of the story and spent nearly an hour with me. He went over several different ways he could approach my case, including ones that didn't involve hiring him. I decided to have him represent me and it was the best decision I could have made. Jake's knowledge of the legal system was amazing. Through the whole process he was easy to get a hold of and worked around my schedule. Even at 9 pm he was working on my behalf. He was able to get the charge dismissed and kept me out of the system, protected my family and saved my career. He's a fantastic person who works off the facts, passes no judgement and does his level best to get you the most desirable outcome. Thank you a thousand times, Jake!

26 Nov, 2018 by Max

Jacob Braunstein is the only attorney I'll ever work with if I can help it. He has represented both me and one of my adult children on different issues and I couldn't be happier with his services. I sought help from Mr. Braunstein when I needed to file bankruptcy. He and his staff function like a well oiled machine and I recommend him to everyone I know. Mr. Braunstein is very patient and obviously cares about his clients. I had a ton of questions but he didn't treat me like I was a bother and he took a lot of time to answer all of my questions. He was also able to work with my schedule, which meant meeting me on the weekend. He's a great attorney who really seems to care about his clients.

05 Jan, 2017 by John

I was referred to Jake by one of my good buddies who'd gotten into some legal trouble before. He said, "Call Jake. The dude's awesome!" So I called on the weekend expecting to get a voicemail and he actually picked up the phone. I explained my situation and he said he could meet with me that afternoon since I work long hours all week. First off, my friend was right. Jake is really laid back and easy to talk to. He didn't judge, he just wanted to hear my side of the story. He didn't try to push a contract at me or pressure me into hiring him to help me with my case. He was straightforward, honest, and told me about all of my options, not just the ones that involved hiring him. I ended up choosing Jake to represent me that day. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. He knew the process inside and out and he helped me every step of the way. It was obvious the judge knew him. She told me right there that Jake had gotten me the deal of the century and normally the prosecutor doesn't agree to things like that. Thanks to Jake and all the work he did on my case, I was able to get the most serious charges dismissed and one of them converted from a felony to a misdemeanor. I was able to stay out of jail and keep my job thanks to Jake. If you need an awesome attorney, call him. I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Michael C Baxter

8835 SW Canyon Ln Ste 130, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy +1

3.6/5

3.6

3 Reviews

15 Mar, 2013 by Linda

From the start, Baxter and Baxter law firm got results. While I was in the office for my initial consultation, Mr. Baxter contacted the attorney for the collection firm and immediately got the false judgment vacated. It was reassuring to hear Mr. Baxter tell me that it was terrible what the collection agency had done to me. I had felt so helpless because nothing I had done had stopped these people from coming after me. Baxter and Baxter attempted to settle out of court and through mediation. But when the issues could not be resolved that way, Mr. Baxter was ready to challenge the collection firm through the court system. A jury decided in my favor with a verdict for $100,000. Baxter and Baxter represented my case with integrity, professionalism and competence. The victory was due to their diligence and knowledge of the law. I would have been lost without their help. Baxter and Baxter is a family run law firm that represents the victim with compassion and dignity.

06 Nov, 2012 by Becky

1515 SW Fifth Ave., Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Business Litigation +1 +4

0.0/5

Aaron R Varhola

2225 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy +1

0.0/5

Laura L Donaldson

1975 SW First Avenue, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Debt Settlement +2

0.0/5

Douglas R. Ricks

1000 Southwest Broadway, Portland, OR

Bankruptcy Debt Settlement +2

0.0/5

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FAQs

Questions? We have answers

What a Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Do for You

A bankruptcy lawyer specializes in helping individuals and businesses manage overwhelming debt by filing for bankruptcy or exploring alternatives to bankruptcy. They guide clients through the complex legal process of discharging or restructuring debts, represent them in court, and work to protect assets such as homes and cars. Bankruptcy lawyers can also help stop creditor harassment, wage garnishment, and foreclosures through bankruptcy protections.

If you're facing financial hardship, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you decide whether filing for bankruptcy is the right option and assist you through the legal process.

When Should I Hire a Bankruptcy Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in the following situations:

Unmanageable debt: If you're unable to pay your bills and debts are piling up, a lawyer can help you explore options such as Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Foreclosure or repossession: If your home is at risk of foreclosure or your vehicle is in danger of being repossessed, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you use bankruptcy protections to prevent this and potentially reorganize your debts.
Wage garnishment: If your wages are being garnished, filing for bankruptcy can stop garnishments and allow you to regain control of your finances.
Creditor harassment: If creditors are constantly calling or sending collection notices, a bankruptcy lawyer can stop these actions by filing for bankruptcy, which enacts an automatic stay that halts collection activities.
Small business debt: If your business is struggling with debt and cannot meet financial obligations, a lawyer can help you file for Chapter 11 (reorganization) or Chapter 7 (liquidation) bankruptcy.
Medical debt or credit card debt: If you have large amounts of unsecured debt like medical bills or credit card balances, a bankruptcy lawyer can help you seek relief through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Hiring a bankruptcy lawyer early in the process can prevent further financial damage and help you choose the best legal option for debt relief.

What Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Do?

A bankruptcy lawyer provides a range of services to help individuals and businesses handle their debts. Their responsibilities often include:

Evaluating your financial situation: Assessing your income, assets, debts, and expenses to determine if bankruptcy is the right option and which type of bankruptcy (Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or Chapter 11) best suits your situation.
Filing bankruptcy petitions: Preparing and filing the necessary documents to initiate your bankruptcy case, ensuring that all legal requirements are met.
Stopping creditor harassment: Once the bankruptcy case is filed, an automatic stay is enacted, which stops creditors from pursuing collection efforts. A lawyer ensures this protection is applied immediately.
Representing you in court: Representing you in court proceedings, including meetings with creditors and any hearings related to your case.
Negotiating with creditors: In Chapter 13 or Chapter 11 bankruptcies, negotiating a repayment plan that restructures your debts and allows you to manage payments more effectively.
Advising on asset protection: Guiding you on how to protect certain assets, such as your home or retirement savings, through available bankruptcy exemptions.
Explaining the impact on your credit: Informing you about how bankruptcy will affect your credit and advising on steps to rebuild your credit post-bankruptcy.

How Are Bankruptcy Lawyers Paid?

Bankruptcy lawyers typically charge for their services in different ways depending on the complexity of the case and the type of bankruptcy being filed. Common payment structures include:

Flat fee: Many bankruptcy lawyers charge a flat fee for handling Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. This fee usually covers the entire process, from preparing and filing paperwork to representing you in court.
Hourly rate: For more complex cases, such as Chapter 11 bankruptcy (often used by businesses), some lawyers charge an hourly rate. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more.
Retainer: In cases where ongoing legal services are required, such as in Chapter 11 bankruptcies or complex Chapter 13 cases, a lawyer may request a retainer, which is an upfront payment billed against as the lawyer works on the case.

It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront, as bankruptcy law requires lawyers to disclose all fees and ensure they are reasonable and fair.

How Much Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a bankruptcy lawyer varies depending on the type of bankruptcy and the complexity of the case. General cost estimates include:

Chapter 7 bankruptcy: For individuals, legal fees usually range from $1,000 to $3,500. This flat fee generally covers the entire process.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy: For individuals filing Chapter 13, legal fees typically range from $2,500 to $6,000. This cost is higher because of the additional work required to create and manage the repayment plan.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy (for businesses): Chapter 11 bankruptcy is more complex and usually more expensive, with legal fees ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the size of the business and the complexity of the debt restructuring.
Filing fees: In addition to legal fees, there are also court filing fees, which are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13 as of 2024.

Always ask for a detailed cost estimate during your consultation to understand what services are included and whether payment plans are available.

How to Check the Credibility of a Bankruptcy Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable bankruptcy lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and track record:

Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no history of disciplinary actions.
Look for bankruptcy experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in bankruptcy law and have successfully handled cases like yours.
Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and ability to handle bankruptcy cases.
Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on bankruptcy matters.
Check for certifications or memberships: Look for lawyers who are members of organizations such as the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) or who have specialized bankruptcy law certifications.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with a bankruptcy lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

List of debts: Prepare a detailed list of all your debts, including credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, and any secured debts such as mortgages or car loans.
Income and expense records: Bring documents that show your current income, such as pay stubs or tax returns, and a list of your monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, and other essential costs.
Asset information: Provide information on any assets you own, such as your home, car, investments, or other valuable property.
Credit reports: If possible, bring copies of your credit reports to give the lawyer a clear view of your financial situation.
Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions you have about the bankruptcy process, the lawyer’s fees, and what to expect after filing for bankruptcy.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal advice tailored to your needs.

Best Bankruptcy lawyers in Portland, OR

59 Bankruptcy Lawyers in Portland, OR

What a Bankruptcy Lawyer Can Do for You

When Should I Hire a Bankruptcy Lawyer?

What Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Do?

How Are Bankruptcy Lawyers Paid?

How Much Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost?

Top Questions to Ask a Bankruptcy Lawyer

How to Check the Credibility of a Bankruptcy Lawyer

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?