Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorneys

6,323 verified chapter 13 attorneys across the United States. Wage earner repayment plan bankruptcy. Compare verified chapter 13 attorneys nationwide by experience, peer ratings, and client reviews — get matched with counsel in any state, free for clients.

6,323 Chapter 13 attorneys found

Atty. R. Jeffrey 'Jeff' Field
Atty. R. Jeffrey 'Jeff' Field
Bogart 42 yrs exp 5.0

Jeff Field has spent his entire career handling bankruptcy cases for clients in Georgia. He has more than 30 years of experience successfully represen...

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Law
Atty. Seni Popat
Atty. Seni Popat
Glen Oaks 16 yrs exp 5.0

Seni Popat is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, chapter 13 and 26 other areas of law. Seni received a B.A. degree from Hofstra Uni...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Chapter 13 Authorized Users & Joint Account Holders Automobile Repossession +24
Atty. Stephen P. Levesque
Atty. Stephen P. Levesque
Cranston 29 yrs exp 5.0

Stephen P. Levesque is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, estate planning, probate and 6 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Estate Planning Probate Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy +4
Atty. Joel R. Spivack
Atty. Joel R. Spivack
Cherry Hill 36 yrs exp 5.0

Attorney Joel R. Spivack has more than 30 years of experience representing clients in consumer bankruptcy cases and residential real estate transactio...

Bankruptcy Law Foreclosure Alternatives Real Estate Law Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +13
Atty. L. Laban Levy
Atty. L. Laban Levy
Shreveport 23 yrs exp 5.0

Meet L. Laban Levy, the passionate bankruptcy attorney who is committed to helping families find personal financial solutions to help them save their ...

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Law Consumer Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Debtor Bankruptcy +1
Atty. Walter A. Metzen
Atty. Walter A. Metzen
Detroit 32 yrs exp 5.0

For over 28 years, Michigan Bankruptcy Lawyer Walter A. Metzen has represented thousands of consumers needing a fresh financial start.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Foreclosure Bankruptcy Consumer Bankruptcy
Atty. Easa Ronny Mousa
Atty. Easa Ronny Mousa
Jacksonville 41 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Easa Ronny Mousa is a lawyer practicing trusts and estates, adoption, advocacy and 23 other areas of law.

Adoption Advocacy Trusts and Estates Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 +21
Atty. Cheryl S. Davis
Atty. Cheryl S. Davis
El Paso 29 yrs exp 5.0

Cheryl S. Davis practices at The Law Offices of Cheryl S.

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Consumer Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 (TX Only) Debt Relief +1
Atty. Rich Masana
Atty. Rich Masana
Denver 11 yrs exp 5.0

Rich Masana is the Managing Partner of Masana Bankruptcy Law. Rich, a native New Yorker who had moved to Colorado for law school, is a graduate of the...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Litigation Civil Litigation +3
Atty. John S. Simonian
Atty. John S. Simonian
Cranston 34 yrs exp 5.0

John S. Simonian is a lawyer practicing chapter 7 bankruptcy, chapter 13 bankruptcy, bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Atty. Tara Gaschler Salinas
Atty. Tara Gaschler Salinas
Denver 25 yrs exp 5.0

Tara Gaschler Salinas is the founder and managing attorney of Salinas Law Group LLC in Denver, Colorado. For more than two decades, she has represente...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Student Loan Solutions
Atty. Timothy William Combs
Atty. Timothy William Combs
Riverside 20 yrs exp 5.0

Timothy William Combs practices at Law Offices of Timothy Combs Read Full Bio

Automobile Accidents Bankruptcy Personal Injury Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +5
Atty. Anne Penachio
Atty. Anne Penachio
White Plains 35 yrs exp 5.0

Anne Penachio practices at Penachio Malara, LLP Read Full Bio

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Lawyer Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Arbitration +35
Atty. Barbara Jean Leach
Atty. Barbara Jean Leach
Orlando 19 yrs exp 5.0

Barbara Jean Leach is a lawyer practicing animal law, bankruptcy, family law and 9 other areas of law. Barbara received a B.A. degree from Rollins Col...

Animal Law Bankruptcy Family Law Alimony Chapter 13 Bankruptcy +7
Atty. Richard George Fonfrias
Atty. Richard George Fonfrias
Chicago 30 yrs exp 5.0

Rich Fonfrias is a respected Financial Rescue and Bankruptcy Lawyer based in Chicago, Illinois. He has practiced law for 13 years and has in-depth exp...

Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Citation to Discover Assets Creditor Defense +6
Atty. Eric Wayne Lomas
Atty. Eric Wayne Lomas
Wichita 18 yrs exp 5.0

Eric Wayne Lomas is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13, bankruptcy chapter 11 and 8 other areas of law. Eric received a B...

Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 12 +6
Atty. Lazaro Eloy Fernandez
Atty. Lazaro Eloy Fernandez
Riverside 38 yrs exp 5.0

After law school and passing the Bar exam, I clerked for a bankruptcy judge. I have practiced exclusively in bankruptcy law for almost 27 years.

Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Debtor/Creditor Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy +2
Atty. Benjamin Howard Carney
Atty. Benjamin Howard Carney
Towson 22 yrs exp 5.0

Benjamin Howard Carney is a lawyer practicing class actions, bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7 and 11 other areas of law. Benjamin received a B.A. degr...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Class Actions Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Consumer +9
Atty. Derek Keith Prosser
Atty. Derek Keith Prosser
Dallas 19 yrs exp 5.0

Derek Keith Prosser is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13 and 3 other areas of law. Derek received a B.B.A. d...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Consumer Creditor Debtor +1
Atty. Louis Steven Haskell
Atty. Louis Steven Haskell
Lowell 39 yrs exp 5.0

Louis Steven Haskell is a lawyer practicing automobile accidents, car accidents, personal injury and 57 other areas of law. Louis has been licensed fo...

Automobile Accidents Car Accidents Personal Injury Adjustment Of Status Asylum +55
Atty. Christopher Matthew Baker
Atty. Christopher Matthew Baker
Norfolk 17 yrs exp 5.0

Christopher Matthew Baker practices at Attorney Read Full Bio

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Consumer Bankruptcy Credit Repair +7
Atty. James Hill Wilson, Jr.
Atty. James Hill Wilson, Jr.
Glen Allen 39 yrs exp 5.0

James H. Wilson, Jr. was born in Monterey, California, in 1962 and grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Family Law Child Custody Divorce +3
Atty. Scott L Luedke
Atty. Scott L Luedke
Sterling Heights 20 yrs exp 5.0

Scott L Luedke is a lawyer practicing criminal law, criminal defense, dui/dwi and 126 other areas of law. Scott received a degree from Lawrence Techno...

Criminal Defense Criminal Law DUI/DWI Accidents Alcoholic Beverage Law +124
Atty. Michael Nicastro
Atty. Michael Nicastro
Irvine 34 yrs exp 5.0

Michael Nicastro is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13 and 1 other area of law. Michael received a B.B.A. deg...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Business Law
Atty. Jason Nels Vogelpohl
Atty. Jason Nels Vogelpohl
Salinas 19 yrs exp 5.0

Jason Nels Vogelpohl is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, consumer bankruptcy, foreclosure & alternatives and 14 other areas of law. Jason received a B....

Bankruptcy Consumer Bankruptcy Foreclosure Alternatives Bankruptcy Advice Bankruptcy Chapter 11/Business Bankruptcy +12
Atty. Jonathan Mark Benjamin
Atty. Jonathan Mark Benjamin
Weston 15 yrs exp 5.0

I am the owner of Benjamin Law Practice, PLLC. I am a Consumer Protection Litigation Attorney specializing in Commercial and Residential Foreclosure d...

Bankruptcy Debt Collection Defense Foreclosure Defense Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +11
Atty. Robert Douglas Lenhardt
Atty. Robert Douglas Lenhardt
Athens 24 yrs exp 5.0

Doug Lenhardt concentrates his practice in the areas of Criminal Defense, Bankruptcy, and Personal Injury. Since 2002, Doug has served the Athens comm...

Automobile Accidents Boating Accidents Dog Bites Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +18
Atty. Maurice Edward Graham
Atty. Maurice Edward Graham
Akron 26 yrs exp 5.0

Maurice Edward Graham is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13, personal bankruptcy and debt solutions and 12 other areas of...

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Personal Bankruptcy and Debt Solutions Bankruptcy Collections Bankruptcy Reorganization +10
Atty. Pia Jessica North
Atty. Pia Jessica North
Midlothian 39 yrs exp 5.0

Pia Jessica North is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13. Pia received a B.A. degree from Wesleyan University ...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7
Atty. William Eugene Maddox, Jr.
Atty. William Eugene Maddox, Jr.
Knoxville 31 yrs exp 5.0

William Eugene Maddox, Jr. is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy law, business transactions, wills and 8 other areas of law. William received a B.A. degre...

Bankruptcy Law Business Transactions Wills Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy +6
Atty. Nova Levante
Atty. Nova Levante
Cincinnati 7 yrs exp 5.0

Nova Levante is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy – chapters 7 and 13, family law - divorce, dissolution, custody, parenting time, adoption, estate plann...

Bankruptcy- chapters 7 and 13 Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney Family Law - Divorce, Dissolution, Custody, Parenting Time, Adoption Adoptions Bankruptcy +22
Atty. Andrew Phan
Atty. Andrew Phan
Irvine 12 yrs exp 5.0

Andrew Phan is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 11 and 20 other areas of law. Andrew received a degree from Ca...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Automobile Accidents Bankruptcy Chapter 13 +18
Atty. Steven M. Rogers
Atty. Steven M. Rogers
Pleasant Grove 15 yrs exp 5.0

Steven M. Rogers is a lawyer practicing tax, business, bankruptcy and 19 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Business Tax Auto Accidents Chapter 11 Bankruptcy +17
Atty. Richard M Coan
Atty. Richard M Coan
New Haven 52 yrs exp 5.0

Richard M Coan is a lawyer practicing consumer bankruptcy, business bankruptcy, real estate law and 7 other areas of law. Richard received a B.A. degr...

Business Bankruptcy Consumer Bankruptcy Real Estate Law Chapter 11 Chapter 13 +5
Atty. Matthew R. Nahrgang
Atty. Matthew R. Nahrgang
Collegeville 36 yrs exp 5.0

Matthew R. Nahrgang is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13 and 9 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Business And Commercial Law Business Law +7
Atty. Roger Albert Isla
Atty. Roger Albert Isla
Weirton 34 yrs exp 5.0

Roger Albert Isla is a lawyer practicing personal injury, accidents, animal attacks and 79 other areas of law. Roger received a B.S. degree from Franc...

Accidents Animal Attacks Personal Injury Alimony Annulment +77
Atty. Eric David Freed
Atty. Eric David Freed
Philadelphia 43 yrs exp 5.0

Eric David Freed is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy / chapter 13, bankruptcy / chapter 7, bankruptcy / chapter 11 and 4 other areas of law. Eric receiv...

Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Complex Commercial Litigation +2
Atty. Mercedes Saladrigas
Atty. Mercedes Saladrigas
Coral Gables 36 yrs exp 5.0

Ms. Mercedes Saladrigas is a lawyer practicing commercial litigation, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13 and 6 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Commercial Litigation Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Sub V +4
Atty. Gregory Messer
Atty. Gregory Messer
Brooklyn 48 yrs exp 5.0

Attorney Gregory Messer has been practicing law in New York for 32 years. An extremely credentialed lawyer, Mr.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Fraud Bankruptcy Reorganization +12
Atty. Michael Jay Berger
Atty. Michael Jay Berger
Beverly Hills 45 yrs exp 5.0

With 44 years of bankruptcy law experience, Michael Jay Berger, Attorney at Law, represents clients in bankruptcy proceedings throughout California. M...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Appeals Bankruptcy And Divorce +10
Atty. Joshua Robert M Driskell
Atty. Joshua Robert M Driskell
Pasadena 14 yrs exp 5.0

Joshua Robert M Driskell is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13, bankruptcy litigation and 59 other areas of law. Joshua r...

Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Litigation Adverse Possession Alternative Dispute Resolution +57
Atty. Patrick R. Martin
Atty. Patrick R. Martin
Minneapolis 31 yrs exp 5.0

Patrick R. Martin is a lawyer practicing employment litigation, employment law, commercial litigation and 2 other areas of law.

Commercial Litigation Employment Law Employment Litigation Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Communications & Media
Atty. William Tyler Nestor
Atty. William Tyler Nestor
Elkins 21 yrs exp 5.0

William Tyler Nestor is a lawyer practicing personal injury, automobile accidents, trucking accidents and 20 other areas of law. William has been lice...

Automobile Accidents Personal Injury Trucking Accidents Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 11 +18
Atty. James Thomas Young
Atty. James Thomas Young
Indianapolis 39 yrs exp 5.0

James Thomas Young is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, business law, civil practice and 10 other areas of law. James received a B.S. degree from Indian...

Bankruptcy Business Law Civil Practice Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +8
Atty. Brian F Kidwell
Atty. Brian F Kidwell
Minneapolis 43 yrs exp 5.0

Brian F Kidwell is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13 and 5 other areas of law. Brian received a B.A. degree ...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Litigation Civil Litigation +3
Atty. Peter B Bunting
Atty. Peter B Bunting
Fresno 40 yrs exp 5.0

Peter B Bunting practices at Peter B Bunting Attorney at Law Read Full Bio

Bankruptcy Law Debtor Bankruptcy Foreclosures Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +3
Atty. Lisa Mary Doran
Atty. Lisa Mary Doran
Wilkes-Barre 36 yrs exp 5.0

If you have financial problems, I would be happy to discuss whether bankruptcy is an option for you. Just call or message to set up a free, no-obligat...

Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Creditors Rights Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 13 +6
Atty. Robert S. Simonian
Atty. Robert S. Simonian
Fall River 30 yrs exp 5.0

I have been practicing bankruptcy law exclusively since 1996 and have handled literally thousands of bankruptcy cases and every one sucessfully. I alw...

Foreclosure Mediation Wills & Living Wills Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy +1
Atty. Matthew Mitchell Breen
Atty. Matthew Mitchell Breen
Mount Pleasant 9 yrs exp 5.0

Mr. Matthew Mitchell Breen is a lawyer practicing automobile accidents, civil litigation, workers compensation and 28 other areas of law.

Automobile Accidents Civil Litigation Workers Compensation Appellate Practice Asbestos Litigation +26
Atty. Christopher M. Winslow
Atty. Christopher M. Winslow
Midlothian 18 yrs exp 5.0

Christopher M. Winslow practices at Winslow, McCurry & MacCormac, PLLC Read Full Bio

Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Civil Litigation Commercial Landlord And Tenant Law +2
Atty. Joseph W. Lehn, Esq.
Atty. Joseph W. Lehn, Esq.
Sarasota 18 yrs exp 5.0

Joseph W. Lehn, Esq. is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, elder law, bankruptcy chapter 13 and 40 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Elder Law Accidents Adult Guardianship +38
Atty. Devin Spence Devore
Atty. Devin Spence Devore
Knoxville 13 yrs exp 5.0

Devin Spence Devore is a lawyer practicing social security disability, irs tax resolution, criminal law and 6 other areas of law. Devin received a B.A...

Criminal Law IRS Tax Resolution Social Security Disability Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +4
Atty. Gary Ray Fraley
Atty. Gary Ray Fraley
Sacramento 48 yrs exp 5.0

Gary Ray Fraley is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, business law, debtor & creditor and 4 other areas of law. Gary received a B.A. degree from Universi...

Bankruptcy Business Law Debtor/Creditor Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +2
Atty. Fred W. Edwards
Atty. Fred W. Edwards
Chino Hills 9 yrs exp 5.0

Fred Edwards is an Attorney and founder of Edwards Legal. Fred has focused his practice areas on Inheritance law, Estate Planning, Wills, Trusts and P...

Bankruptcy and Debt Personal Injury Real Estate Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +5
Atty. Lauri Ann Schmid
Atty. Lauri Ann Schmid
Apple Valley 29 yrs exp 5.0

Lauri Ann Schmid is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, estate planning, probate and 7 other areas of law. Lauri has been licensed for 29 years.

Bankruptcy Estate Planning Probate Business Law Chapter 13 Bankruptcy +5
Atty. Mark B. Brenner
Atty. Mark B. Brenner
New York 52 yrs exp 5.0

Mark B. Brenner is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, corporate law, real estate and 4 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Corporate Law Real Estate Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +2
Atty. Gail Christine Moser
Atty. Gail Christine Moser
Santa Clara 35 yrs exp 5.0

Gail Christine Moser is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, estate planning and 5 other areas of law. Gail received a B.S. degree fr...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Estate Planning Adoption Chapter 13 Bankruptcy +3
Atty. John Charles Caraker
Atty. John Charles Caraker
St. Louis 40 yrs exp 5.0

John Charles Caraker is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, consumer bankruptcy and 17 other areas of law. John received a B.S. degr...

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Consumer Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Consumer Law +15
Atty. Todd Steven Cushner
Atty. Todd Steven Cushner
White Plains 25 yrs exp 5.0

Todd Steven Cushner is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy protection, foreclosure defense, commercial litigation and 3 other areas of law. Todd has been l...

Bankruptcy Protection Commercial Litigation Foreclosure Defense Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 +1
Atty. Ryan E. Farnsworth
Atty. Ryan E. Farnsworth
Meridian 14 yrs exp 5.0

Ryan E. Farnsworth is a lawyer practicing bankruptcy, bankruptcy chapter 7, bankruptcy chapter 13 and 4 other areas of law.

Bankruptcy Bankruptcy Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Chapter 11 Debt Relief +2

What is Chapter 13?

Chapter 13 is the branch of law that governs the rights, obligations, and disputes that arise within its subject matter. In the United States, chapter 13 sits at the intersection of statutes enacted by Congress, the regulations issued by federal agencies, the laws passed by all fifty state legislatures, and the body of judge-made decisions known as the common law. Because every state writes its own version of the rules, the way chapter 13 works in one jurisdiction can look noticeably different from how it works in another, and that is one of the main reasons attorneys in this area focus their practice geographically — to stay fluent in the local statutes, court rules, and judicial preferences that shape outcomes.

At a practical level, Chapter 13 attorneys spend their time on three categories of work. The first is advice and prevention: counselling clients on how to structure transactions, draft documents, and conduct business so that legal risk is minimised before a dispute ever begins. The second is transactional execution: producing the contracts, filings, notices, and registrations that the law actually requires to make a decision legally binding. The third is contested representation: defending or pursuing a client's interests when a dispute escalates to negotiation, regulatory enforcement, arbitration, or litigation in court.

The clients who hire Chapter 13 lawyers range from individuals navigating a single life event to multinational corporations with complex regulatory exposure. What unifies them is the need for an experienced lawyer who knows the relevant code sections, has appeared in the relevant courts, and can translate the strategic options into language a client can act on. AttorneyQnA currently lists 6,323 verified chapter 13 attorneys across the United States, each with a public profile showing their bar admissions, years in practice, and the kinds of matters they have handled — with the deepest concentration of practitioners in California.

When do you need a Chapter 13 attorney?

Most people contact a chapter 13 lawyer for one of two reasons: something is about to happen that they want done correctly the first time, or something has gone wrong and they need it fixed before it gets worse. The earlier you involve counsel, the more options you usually have, and the lower the cost of getting to a resolution tends to be. The scenarios below are the ones we see most often on AttorneyQnA from prospective clients searching for chapter 13 representation.

You are about to sign a binding document

Once your signature is on a contract, settlement, lease, or release, your bargaining leverage drops sharply. A short pre-signature review by a chapter 13 lawyer is the cheapest insurance you can buy.

You received a letter, demand, or notice

Cease-and-desist letters, regulatory notices, and demand letters all start clocks. Missing the response window can convert a manageable problem into a default judgment or formal enforcement action.

Your matter has a deadline you can name

Statutes of limitations, filing windows, and appeal periods are jurisdictional — courts cannot extend them as a favour. If you can identify a date that matters, you need a lawyer before that date arrives.

The other side has hired counsel

The moment opposing counsel appears, the conversation moves out of normal English and into procedural language. Continuing unrepresented usually means losing ground you cannot recover later.

You are weighing strategic options

Forming an entity, choosing a venue, structuring a deal, or selecting a remedy each has long-term consequences. A consultation at the planning stage is far cheaper than redoing it after the fact.

Your situation crosses state lines

Multi-state matters bring conflict-of-laws questions that change which statutes apply and which court has authority. An attorney licensed in the right jurisdiction is not optional.

If any of the situations above describes where you are right now, the next step is a focused consultation. Use the Ask a Lawyer tool for short written questions, or browse the 6,323 chapter 13 attorneys listed above to book a paid consultation directly.

How to choose a Chapter 13 attorney

The single biggest factor in choosing a chapter 13 lawyer is fit with your specific matter. A lawyer with twenty years of chapter 13 experience but no exposure to your particular sub-issue can easily be a worse choice than a five-year associate who has handled the same problem repeatedly. We recommend running every prospective lawyer through the same five-step checklist before signing an engagement letter.

  1. Bar admission in the correct jurisdiction. Confirm the lawyer is admitted in the state — and where relevant, the federal district — where your matter sits. The lawyer's profile on AttorneyQnA shows every bar admission on file, and the underlying state bar's "lawyer lookup" tool will confirm active standing in under a minute.
  2. Direct experience with your fact pattern. Ask plainly: "How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years, and how did they resolve?" An honest answer reveals more than years-in-practice alone.
  3. A written fee agreement. Whether hourly, flat fee, contingent, or hybrid, the engagement letter should specify what is included, what triggers additional charges, and how disputes are handled. Avoid lawyers who resist writing the terms down.
  4. Communication cadence. Decide upfront how often you expect updates, who your day-to-day contact will be, and what response time is reasonable. The number-one complaint filed with state bar grievance committees is not malpractice — it is non-communication.
  5. Conflict check + reputation pulse. Make sure the lawyer has run a formal conflict check, then spend ten minutes reading independent reviews and any public disciplinary history. The state bar's website is authoritative for the second; the lawyer's AttorneyQnA profile collects the first.

Once you have a shortlist, schedule consultations with two or three. Lawyers vary widely in temperament, and the right strategic match for your case is sometimes the second or third lawyer you meet — not the first.

How much does a Chapter 13 lawyer cost?

Legal fees in the United States are not regulated by a uniform schedule, so what you pay a chapter 13 lawyer depends on the billing model the lawyer offers, the complexity of your matter, and the local market. There are four billing structures used in this practice area; most engagements use one, but hybrid arrangements are increasingly common.

1. Hourly billing

The default model for most non-contingent matters. Rates for chapter 13 attorneys in the U.S. typically range from $150–$250/hour in smaller markets to $400–$700/hour in major metropolitan areas, with senior partners at large firms commanding $900/hour and above. Hourly billing is fairest when the scope of work is genuinely unpredictable, but it creates an incentive structure that the client has to monitor.

2. Flat fee

Increasingly used for well-defined transactions — incorporations, will drafting, single-issue filings, uncontested matters. A flat fee tells you exactly what the deliverable will cost, and the lawyer absorbs the risk of unexpected complexity. Ask whether the flat fee includes filing fees, third-party costs, and any post-filing follow-up.

3. Contingency

Where it is permitted by the rules of professional conduct — most often in plaintiff-side chapter 13 work involving monetary recovery — the lawyer is paid a percentage of the proceeds, typically 33% before suit is filed and 40% after. The client pays nothing if there is no recovery. Contingency fees align the lawyer's economics with yours, but the percentage compounds across time, so very strong cases sometimes do better on hourly billing.

4. Retainer / subscription

A monthly fee that buys a defined block of access or hours. This is common for businesses with ongoing chapter 13 needs — contract review, employee questions, regulatory check-ins. A subscription smooths out spending and gives the lawyer a reason to know your operation in depth.

Whichever model you choose, ask for an itemised written estimate before the engagement begins, and ask explicitly what is not covered. Surprise expenses are the most common source of attorney-client friction.

Frequently asked questions about chapter 13

How quickly can a chapter 13 lawyer review my matter?

Most lawyers can schedule an initial consultation within 1–3 business days. Urgent matters — pending deadlines, time-sensitive notices, court-ordered hearings — should be flagged in your first message; many lawyers reserve emergency consultation slots for that reason. If you need a written answer faster, the Ask a Lawyer tool typically returns answers in under 24 hours.

Do I need a chapter 13 lawyer in my exact city, or anywhere in my state?

Bar admission is the controlling rule: any attorney licensed in your state can represent you in that state's courts and agencies, regardless of which city they're based in. Practical proximity still matters for in-person meetings, local court familiarity, and access to the local bench and bar. For state-level filings and remote-friendly matters, an attorney elsewhere in the same state often works fine.

Will an initial consultation cost me anything?

Many chapter 13 attorneys offer a free 15- to 30-minute initial consultation; others charge a flat consultation fee that may be credited against the engagement if you hire them. The lawyer's profile lists the consultation policy. Free does not always mean better — a fee-based consultation is sometimes the sign of a lawyer who treats their time, and yours, seriously.

What documents should I bring to the first meeting?

Bring every contract, notice, letter, filing, or written communication connected to the matter; a written timeline of events with dates; the names and contact details of every other party involved; and any deadlines or hearing dates you are already aware of. Even an incomplete file is more useful than a verbal summary alone.

Can I change lawyers if I am not happy with mine?

Yes. Clients can discharge their lawyer at any time, for any reason, by written notice. Your case file belongs to you and must be transferred to your new counsel. Any unpaid fees through the date of discharge remain owed; any unearned advance must be refunded. If you are mid-litigation, the court typically must approve the substitution, but approval is routine.

How long does a typical chapter 13 matter take?

It depends almost entirely on whether the matter is transactional or contested. A transactional matter — a contract, a filing, a single-step transaction — can resolve in days to weeks. A contested matter — anything involving disputed facts, court intervention, or regulatory action — typically takes months at minimum, and complex cases can run multiple years. Your lawyer should give you a realistic outside estimate at intake.

Are chapter 13 lawyer fees tax-deductible?

It depends on the nature of the matter and current tax law. Fees connected to producing or collecting taxable income, managing investment property, or operating a business are often deductible; fees for personal matters generally are not. Because rules change, confirm deductibility with a tax professional for the year in which the fees are paid.

What is the difference between chapter 13 and the related practice areas?

Chapter 13 overlaps with several adjacent areas — see the related-practice-area grid below for direct links. Choosing the right lawyer often means picking the one whose primary focus matches the heart of your problem, even if multiple labels could technically apply. When you are unsure, list your situation in your own words to two lawyers from neighbouring areas and ask which one of them is the better fit; honest lawyers will tell you.

Find chapter 13 attorneys by state

Each state link below opens the chapter 13 roster for that jurisdiction, with the local statute of limitations, court-system overview, and verified attorneys.

Chapter 13 Law Firms

Main Law Firm Logo

Main Law Firm

Winter Park

Walton Law Firm Logo

Walton Law Firm

San Marcos

Bruner Law Firm Logo

Bruner Law Firm

Fort Walton Beach

J&Y Law Firm Logo

J&Y Law Firm

Los Angeles

West Law Firm Logo

West Law Firm

Charleston