If creditors are calling and you are thinking about bankruptcy, you are not failing — you are using a tool the law built for exactly this moment. Here are the Charleston firms that show up across the major directories, what they charge, and how to pick the right fit.
Updated October 26, 202511 min readEditorially independent
If you are weighing bankruptcy in Charleston, here is the first thing worth knowing: most people file one of two kinds. Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying debt in about three to four months and lets you keep property that fits within South Carolina's exemptions. Chapter 13 sets up a three-to-five-year repayment plan that can stop a foreclosure and let you catch up on a mortgage or car loan. A good lawyer's first job is telling you, honestly, which one actually fits your situation — and whether you even need to file at all.
Charleston cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina, which holds its Charleston-division hearings downtown. Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 turns largely on the "means test," a comparison of your household income to the South Carolina median for your family size. South Carolina also lets you protect a meaningful amount of home equity, a vehicle, household goods, and tools of your trade through state exemptions. The firms below were chosen because each appears across at least two independent sources — Super Lawyers, Justia, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Expertise.com, or the American Board of Certification — and each has a verifiable Charleston-area bankruptcy practice.
It also helps to know what bankruptcy will not do. It generally cannot erase child support, recent income taxes, or most student loans, and a Chapter 7 will not stop a foreclosure forever — only Chapter 13 gives you a structured way to catch up. The strongest Charleston bankruptcy lawyers are candid about those limits in the first meeting and will tell you if debt negotiation or simply waiting out the statute of limitations fits you better. Weigh that candor as heavily as the fee.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Charleston-area bankruptcy practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Campbell Law Firm, PA
Mount Pleasant, SCBoard-certified bankruptcy specialistSC Super Lawyers
Practice focus: Consumer and business bankruptcy, Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13
Kevin Campbell of Campbell Law Firm is certified as a Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Board of Certification and has been board-certified for decades — a credential held by only a handful of South Carolina lawyers. He has been named to the South Carolina Super Lawyers list and received the American Board of Certification's William E.S. Robinson Award for service to bankruptcy practice. The firm serves the Charleston area from Mount Pleasant.
Why they made the list: Board certification plus peer recognition make this one of the most credentialed consumer bankruptcy practices in the Charleston area.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure defense
Russell DeMott has practiced bankruptcy and foreclosure defense in the Charleston area since 1995, handling thousands of consumer matters for clients in Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and Goose Creek. A University of South Carolina School of Law graduate who clerked for a Chapter 7 trustee, he writes one of the region's longest-running bankruptcy blogs and focuses on helping individuals get a fresh start.
Why they made the list: Three decades focused almost entirely on consumer bankruptcy, with a reputation for plain-English client education.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy and debt relief
Steadman Law Firm represents individuals and families across the Charleston and North Charleston area in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. The practice walks clients through the means test, exemptions, and the 341 meeting with an emphasis on stopping garnishments and foreclosure and rebuilding afterward.
Why they made the list: A dedicated consumer-debtor practice that handles both chapters and emphasizes the rebuild after discharge.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 consumer bankruptcy and debt relief
Lauren Clark Law focuses on consumer bankruptcy for Charleston-area individuals, with a heavy emphasis on Chapter 7 liquidation cases. The practice guides clients through eligibility, exemptions, and discharge with an approachable, one-on-one style aimed at first-time filers who feel overwhelmed.
Why they made the list: A good fit for a straightforward Chapter 7 filer who wants direct attorney attention through the whole process.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy for debtors
Founded in 1996, Meredith Law Firm represents debtors in Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 proceedings from its Charleston office. The breadth across all three chapters means the firm can handle both simple consumer filings and more complex cases involving a small business or significant assets.
Why they made the list: One of the few Charleston debtor practices comfortable across all three consumer and reorganization chapters.
Charleston, SCEstablished 1970Bankruptcy & business
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy and creditors' rights
Finkel Law Firm, established in 1970, is one of the Charleston area's longer-standing firms and guides clients through Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Its long tenure and business-law roots make it a reasonable choice for filers whose situation crosses into small-business or real-estate complexity.
Why they made the list: Decades of local tenure and a bench that can handle bankruptcy alongside related business issues.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy and debt relief, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
Schiller & Hamilton represents Charleston-area clients in consumer bankruptcy, helping individuals stop creditor harassment, wage garnishment, and foreclosure through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. The firm markets free initial consultations and a high-volume, accessible approach for people new to the process.
Why they made the list: Free consultations and an accessible, high-volume consumer practice for first-time filers.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy, creditors' rights, and financial restructuring
Moore & Van Allen is a large regional firm with a Charleston office and a deep bankruptcy and financial-restructuring bench. While its work skews toward business reorganization and creditors' rights rather than simple consumer filings, it is the firm to know when a bankruptcy matter involves a company, significant assets, or complex litigation.
Why they made the list: The firm to consider when a bankruptcy crosses into business reorganization or high-stakes restructuring.
Tell us a little about your debts and your goals. We'll connect you with a Charleston bankruptcy firm that fits your situation — free, confidential, and no obligation.
How to choose between them in Charleston
Match the chapter to your real goal. If you mostly need to erase credit-card and medical debt and your income is below the South Carolina median, Chapter 7 is usually the cleaner path. If you are behind on a mortgage or car you want to keep, Chapter 13 buys you a way to catch up. Ask each lawyer which chapter they recommend and exactly why.
Board certification is a real, rare signal. Very few South Carolina lawyers are certified as bankruptcy specialists by the American Board of Certification. It tells you the attorney has handled a high volume of cases, passed a specialty exam, and been vetted by peers — a useful filter when your financial future is on the line.
Confirm the lawyer, not a paralegal, runs your case. High-volume debt mills lean heavily on staff. Your petition, your exemptions, and your means-test math are too important for that. Ask who prepares and reviews your filing, and whether your lawyer personally attends the 341 meeting of creditors.
Get the full cost in writing before you sign. Ask for the attorney's flat fee, the court filing fee, the required credit-counseling course cost, and whether a Chapter 13 fee can be paid through the plan. A clear written quote is itself a sign of a well-run office.
What bankruptcy help typically costs in Charleston
Bankruptcy cost in Charleston is more predictable than most legal work because much of it is flat-fee. Here is the honest range:
Chapter 7 attorney fee Most Charleston attorneys charge a flat $1,200 to $2,500 for a typical consumer Chapter 7, due before filing. More complex cases — a business, valuable assets, or prior filings — run higher.
Chapter 13 attorney fee The District of South Carolina sets a presumptive "no-look" fee for Chapter 13 cases, commonly in the $4,000 to $5,000 range, and much of it can be paid through your repayment plan rather than up front.
Court filing fee The federal filing fee is roughly $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, paid to the court. Fee waivers or installments are sometimes available in Chapter 7.
Required courses You must complete a credit-counseling course before filing and a debtor-education course after. Each runs about $10 to $50, occasionally bundled by the firm.
What drives the bill up Business assets, real estate beyond your home, recent large transfers, or creditor objections. A clean consumer case is the cheapest and fastest.
Ask every firm for the flat fee, the filing fee, and whether a Chapter 13 fee can be paid through the plan before you sign an engagement letter.
How long it takes
No lawyer can promise an exact date, but here is the realistic arc of a Charleston bankruptcy:
Credit counseling and filing (1–3 weeks) You complete the required counseling course, gather pay stubs and debt records, and your lawyer prepares and files the petition. Filing triggers the "automatic stay" that stops most collection calls and lawsuits immediately.
341 meeting of creditors (about 4–6 weeks after filing) A short, routine hearing with the trustee. Most consumer cases involve no creditors actually showing up. Your lawyer attends with you.
Chapter 7 discharge (3–4 months) If nothing is contested, the court discharges your qualifying debts a few months after filing, and the case closes.
Chapter 13 plan (3–5 years) You make monthly payments to the trustee under a confirmed plan. Once you complete it, the remaining qualifying balances are discharged.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Charleston
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many bankruptcy matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Charleston consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most bankruptcy matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Bankruptcy attorney in Charleston
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about bankruptcy lawyers in Charleston
How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in Charleston?
A typical consumer Chapter 7 runs a flat $1,200 to $2,500 in attorney fees plus the roughly $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 attorney fees commonly run $4,000 to $5,000 under the District of South Carolina's presumptive fee, much of which can be paid through your repayment plan.
Will I lose my house or car if I file in South Carolina?
Often, no. South Carolina exemptions let you protect a meaningful amount of home equity, a vehicle, household goods, and tools of your trade. If you are current on a secured loan and want to keep the property, you can usually do so by continuing to pay. A lawyer can run your exemptions before you file so there are no surprises.
Should I file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 erases qualifying unsecured debt in a few months and suits filers below the South Carolina median income. Chapter 13 sets up a three-to-five-year plan and is the tool to stop a foreclosure or catch up on a car. The right choice depends on your income, assets, and goals, which is what the first consultation is for.
Does bankruptcy stop creditor calls and lawsuits?
Yes. The moment you file, the automatic stay takes effect and most collection calls, wage garnishments, and lawsuits must stop. Creditors who keep contacting you after filing can face penalties. This relief is one of the main reasons people file.
What debts can bankruptcy not erase?
Bankruptcy generally cannot discharge child support and alimony, most recent income taxes, court fines, and most student loans. It is most powerful against credit-card balances, medical bills, personal loans, and old utility or lease debt.
How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?
A Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for up to 10 years and a Chapter 13 for up to 7. That sounds harsh, but many people see their scores begin to recover within a year or two once the old debt is gone and they rebuild with on-time payments.
Do I have to go to court?
For most consumer cases, your only appearance is the 341 meeting of creditors — a short, informal session with the trustee, not a judge, that your lawyer attends with you. Contested matters are rare in straightforward filings.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
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