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Top 10 Bankruptcy Lawyers in Greensboro, NC
Bankruptcy is not failure - for most people it is the legal reset that finally stops the calls, the garnishments, and the foreclosure clock. The Greensboro lawyers below handle Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 every day, and most offer a free first consultation with a board-certified attorney.
Updated March 09, 202612 min readEditorially independent
If creditors are calling, your wages are being garnished, or a foreclosure date is looming, bankruptcy may be the fastest legal way to stop it. The moment your case is filed, an automatic stay forces collectors to back off. The key decision is which chapter fits: Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt in a few months, while Chapter 13 reorganizes what you owe into a court-approved payment plan so you can keep your house or car.
Greensboro bankruptcy lawyers handle exactly this analysis every day. North Carolina has its own property exemptions that decide what you keep, and cases here are filed in the federal bankruptcy court for the Middle District of North Carolina, which sits in Greensboro. A lawyer who files locally knows the trustees, the meeting-of-creditors routine, and what the court expects.
The firms below all have a verifiable Greensboro-area bankruptcy practice and appear in independent directories such as Super Lawyers, Justia, Avvo, Expertise.com, or Martindale-Hubbell. Most offer a free consultation and several let you pay Chapter 13 fees through the repayment plan, so compare two or three before you commit.
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 Greensboro-area bankruptcy practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Law Offices of John T. Orcutt
Greensboro, NCHigh-volume consumer firm
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt relief
John T. Orcutt has limited his practice to consumer and business debtor bankruptcy since 1997 and the firm says it has helped more than 30,000 North Carolina families, with offices including Greensboro and free initial consultations.
Why they made the list: One of the largest consumer bankruptcy practices in the state, with deep Chapter 7 and 13 experience.
A family-owned firm with board-certified consumer bankruptcy attorneys Terry and Damon Duncan, Duncan Law offers free consultations and keeps offices across North Carolina, including Greensboro and High Point.
Why they made the list: Board-certified consumer bankruptcy attorneys and a free consultation.
Tommy S. Blalock III personally meets with every client and files roughly 200 bankruptcy cases a year for clients in Greensboro, Burlington, High Point, and surrounding areas, emphasizing straightforward advice.
Why they made the list: Direct attorney attention and a high annual filing volume in the Greensboro area.
Serving North Carolina for over 70 years, Ivey McClellan has a team of nine attorneys handling consumer, business, and agricultural bankruptcy from its downtown Greensboro office at Elm and East Market.
Why they made the list: A deep bench covering consumer, business, and complex Chapter 11 filings.
Founder Stephen Robertson has practiced for over two decades, helping Greensboro-area individuals and businesses file Chapter 7, 11, or 13 to escape foreclosure and creditor lawsuits. He is also a board-certified family law specialist.
Why they made the list: Two decades of bankruptcy experience serving both individuals and businesses.
A family-owned Greensboro firm, Schollander Law Offices helps clients stop foreclosures, garnishments, and repossessions through Chapter 7, 11, or 13. Wes Schollander is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys and serves clients in English and Spanish.
Why they made the list: Bilingual service and a focus on stopping foreclosure and creditor harassment.
Established in 1948, Hill, Evans, Jordan & Beatty handles consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy for Greensboro-area clients as part of a long-running full-service practice.
Why they made the list: A long-established Greensboro firm with a consumer bankruptcy practice.
Cameron Bankruptcy Law focuses on consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings for the Greensboro and Raleigh area and offers a free consultation to review your options before filing.
Why they made the list: A consumer-focused practice serving Greensboro with free case evaluations.
Tell us what you owe and what you are trying to protect. We will match you with vetted Greensboro bankruptcy attorneys. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Greensboro
Start with the chapter question. If you mostly have unsecured debt and limited income, Chapter 7 may erase it in a few months. If you are behind on a mortgage or car you want to keep, Chapter 13 lets you catch up over time. A good Greensboro lawyer tells you which fits in the first meeting.
Look for board certification. Firms with board-certified consumer bankruptcy attorneys, like Duncan Law, have demonstrated real depth in this specific area.
Compare how fees are structured. Several firms let you roll Chapter 13 fees into the repayment plan or file Chapter 7 with little money down. Get the total cost, the filing fee, and any credit-counseling charges in writing.
Confirm they file in this district. Greensboro is home to the Middle District of North Carolina bankruptcy court, so you want someone who appears there regularly and knows the local trustees.
What bankruptcy help typically costs in Greensboro
Bankruptcy fees in the Greensboro area are fairly predictable, and most firms quote a flat rate up front:
Initial consultation. Free at most firms on this list.
Chapter 7 attorney fee. Commonly about $1,000-$1,800 for a straightforward consumer case, plus the court filing fee.
Chapter 13 attorney fee. Often $3,000-$4,500, frequently rolled into your court-approved repayment plan so there is little up front.
Court filing fees. Set by the court - roughly $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13 at recent rates; confirm the current amount.
Required credit counseling. A small fee (often $10-$50) for the pre-filing and pre-discharge courses the law requires.
Because so much of the cost is fixed, the real difference between firms is service, communication, and whether they can structure the fee so you can actually afford to file.
How long it takes
How long your case takes depends almost entirely on which chapter you file:
Preparing the petition. A few days to a few weeks while you gather pay stubs, tax returns, and a list of debts and assets.
The automatic stay. Begins the moment your case is filed - collection calls, garnishments, and foreclosure activity must stop.
Chapter 7 discharge. Most no-asset Chapter 7 cases wrap up about 3 to 4 months after filing.
Chapter 13 plan. Runs for 3 to 5 years; your debts are discharged once you complete the payment plan.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Greensboro
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 Greensboro 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.
Is hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Greensboro worth it?
For small, simple matters you may not need a lawyer at all, and a good one will tell you so. But the moment real money, your record, your family, or a hard deadline is involved, going without representation usually costs more than it saves. The other side — an insurer, a prosecutor, or an opposing party — almost always has a lawyer. You should not be the only person in the room without one.
Here is a simple test. If the outcome could change your finances for years, affect your children, put your freedom or immigration status at risk, or turn on a legal deadline you do not fully understand, talk to a lawyer before you act. Most of the firms above will give you an honest read in a free call, including telling you when you do not need to hire anyone at all.
The cost of a consultation is almost always lower than the cost of a mistake you cannot undo. Even if you decide to handle the matter yourself, one conversation with an experienced Greensboro attorney can tell you what to watch for and where the real risks are before they become expensive.
Talk to a vetted Bankruptcy attorney in Greensboro
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 Greensboro
Will I lose my house or car if I file bankruptcy in Greensboro?
Not necessarily. North Carolina exemptions protect a certain amount of home equity and a vehicle, and Chapter 13 is designed to let you keep property by catching up on missed payments over time. A lawyer can tell you what is protected in your situation.
Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 - which one is right for me?
It depends on your income, your debts, and what you want to keep. Chapter 7 erases most unsecured debt quickly if you qualify under the means test. Chapter 13 reorganizes debt into a 3-to-5-year plan and is often used to save a home from foreclosure.
How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in Greensboro?
A typical consumer Chapter 7 runs roughly $1,000-$1,800 in attorney fees plus the court filing fee. Chapter 13 is often $3,000-$4,500, frequently paid through the repayment plan. Get the full cost in writing.
Does bankruptcy stop wage garnishment and foreclosure?
Yes. Filing triggers an automatic stay that immediately halts most garnishments, collection lawsuits, and foreclosure activity while your case proceeds.
How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report?
Chapter 7 can appear for up to 10 years and Chapter 13 for up to 7. Many people rebuild usable credit within a couple of years by paying new obligations on time.
Do I have to go to court?
For most consumer cases you attend one short meeting of creditors (the 341 meeting) with the trustee. You usually do not see a judge unless something is disputed.
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer?
You can, but the paperwork, exemptions, and means test are technical, and mistakes can cost you property or get a case dismissed. Most people are better served by an experienced filer, especially in Chapter 13.
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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