Schedule your free 1-hour consultation on my calendar. We'll meet either via Zoom or in-person at my office (5491 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60630) to review your situation, the lawsuit against you, and determine if bankruptcy is the right solution for you. If it is, we'll schedule an appointment to start your case. Services are only for Illinois residents in these counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, Kendall, Grundy and LaSalle.

The cost of your bankruptcy case depends upon your individual circumstances. That’s why I offer a free 1-hour consultation so I can find out about you. At the end of our meeting, I’ll know the facts necessary to price your case fairly. If you want to proceed at that point, we’ll do so. If you want to think about it, that’s your right. If you don’t want to hire me, you don’t owe me a penny.

No. I’ve practiced bankruptcy law since 2009 and not once has a client lost property they wanted to keep. That's because in a chapter 7 case, some property is protected regardless of its value, while other property is protected up to certain dollar amounts. In most cases, these amounts are large enough to protect everything the average middle-class person owns. But, if you own something that is worth more than the protected limits, I'll advise you to file a chapter 13. That's because in a chapter 13, all property is protected, regardless of its value.

In general, a chapter 7 wipes out your debts without requiring you to repay it from your income. To qualify for a chapter 7, you must earn less than the median income. In contrast, a chapter 13 is a settlement, which repays a portion of your debt over time and wipes out the rest. Most people go into a chapter 13 because they earn too much to qualify for a chapter 7.

In general, you're qualified to file chapter 7 if you earn less than the median income. As of January 2026, the median income in Illinois for a household size of one is $73,180, two is $93,934, three is $113,625, four is $137,902, and for each additional household member over 4, add another $11,100. If you earn more than the median income, you're generally required to file a chapter 13. To be qualified for a chapter 13, you must have a regular stream of income that will enable you to make your plan payments. Income can be from any source, such a job, spouse's job, social security, etc.

No. Once your bankruptcy is filed, the Court notifies the creditor suing you and they are required to stop their lawsuit immediately. As for bankruptcy, 99% of clients never have to step foot in court. Most bankruptcies are a paperwork driven process, like filing your taxes. While there is a meeting with a court appointed individual, called a Trustee, the meeting is by Zoom, it lasts a few minutes, and the main purpose of it is to confirm your identity and have you swear that the information in your petition is truthful.