Irving, Texas · Bankruptcy & Debt Relief
Nine Irving-area bankruptcy firms with real Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 experience and free consultations — plus what filing costs, what Texas lets you keep, and how to choose.
If creditors are calling, your wages are being garnished, or you are facing foreclosure in Irving, bankruptcy may be the tool that stops it. The moment you file, an "automatic stay" goes into effect — a federal order that immediately halts collection calls, lawsuits, garnishments, and most foreclosures. For a lot of people, that breathing room is the whole point.
Texas is one of the more debtor-friendly states. Its homestead exemption can protect the entire equity in your home (subject to acreage limits), and the state also shields a generous amount of personal property, retirement accounts, and tools of your trade. That means many Irving filers keep their house, car, and 401(k) and still wipe out unsecured debt. Most consumer cases are either Chapter 7, which discharges qualifying debt in a few months, or Chapter 13, which sets up a 3-to-5-year repayment plan.
We built this list from Justia, Avvo, Expertise, and local directories, and confirmed each firm has a real Irving-area consumer bankruptcy practice. Bankruptcy fees are fairly standardized, so weigh experience and responsiveness, not just price. Call two or three, ask whether Chapter 7 or 13 fits your situation, and compare.
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 Irving-area bankruptcy practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy
Based at 2121 W. Airport Freeway in Irving, Richard Kinkade has handled DFW bankruptcy cases for more than four decades.
Why they made the list: A strong pick for depth of experience — four decades of consumer filings in the local courts.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy and debt relief
With an Irving office at 800 W. Airport Freeway, this firm handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases along with related debt and foreclosure matters.
Why they made the list: A convenient local option that also handles foreclosure-related work alongside the bankruptcy filing.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy
A DFW consumer bankruptcy practice serving Irving clients with Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings and free initial consultations.
Why they made the list: A solid mid-range choice focused squarely on consumer debt relief.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy
Operating from Arlington and serving the Irving area, Acker Warren handles Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy cases.
Why they made the list: Worth a call if you are comparing flat-fee quotes across the western DFW suburbs.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
An Irving-area bankruptcy attorney with more than 35 years of experience handling consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.
Why they made the list: Another deeply experienced option for filers who want a veteran on a straightforward case.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy and debt relief
A well-known DFW consumer bankruptcy firm serving the Irving area, handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 with structured payment options.
Why they made the list: A good fit if you need to stop a garnishment fast and want flexible ways to pay the fee.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy
An Irving consumer bankruptcy practice listed among the area's bankruptcy firms, handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.
Why they made the list: A smaller-firm option for clients who want direct attorney attention on a consumer case.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, 11, and 13 bankruptcy
A Texas bankruptcy attorney whose practice covers the full range of consumer and business filings, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.
Why they made the list: Consider this firm if your situation is more complex or might involve a business reorganization.
Drowning in debt in Irving? Tell us what you're facing and we'll connect you with one of these bankruptcy firms — or a similar one — for a free, confidential consultation.
First figure out Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13. Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying debt in a few months if you pass the means test. Chapter 13 sets up a 3-to-5-year repayment plan, often to save a house from foreclosure. A good lawyer tells you which fits in the first meeting.
Ask what the flat fee covers. Most consumer bankruptcy is a flat fee plus the court filing fee and a credit-counseling course. Confirm whether the quote includes the meeting of creditors and any routine motions, or whether those cost extra.
Confirm your Texas exemptions up front. A lawyer who knows the Texas homestead and personal-property exemptions can tell you, early, what you get to keep. If a firm cannot answer that clearly, keep looking.
Prioritize someone who files often. Bankruptcy is procedural and deadline-driven. A lawyer who files consumer cases every week is less likely to make the small mistakes that delay a discharge.
Watch for petition mills. Be cautious of high-volume operations that hand you to a paralegal and never let you speak with the attorney. You want a lawyer who reviews your schedules personally.
Consumer bankruptcy fees in Irving are fairly standardized. Typical numbers:
Because consumer fees are similar across firms, the right question is not just price but whether the lawyer files often, answers your questions, and reviews your case personally. Get the flat fee and what it covers in writing before you file.
A typical Irving Chapter 7 runs roughly like this:
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.
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.
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most bankruptcy matters, gather:
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.
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
A straightforward Chapter 7 typically runs $1,000 to $1,800 in attorney fees plus the $338 court filing fee, usually paid before the case is filed. Chapter 13 attorney fees commonly run $3,000 to $4,500, but much of that can be paid through the repayment plan rather than up front. Two required credit-counseling courses add $15 to $50.
Often no. Texas has one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country and can protect all of your home equity, subject to acreage limits. The state also exempts a substantial amount of personal property and retirement accounts. Many Irving filers keep their home, vehicle, and 401(k). A lawyer can confirm what your specific exemptions cover.
Chapter 7 discharges qualifying unsecured debt in a few months if you pass the means test, but you must be within the income limits. Chapter 13 reorganizes debt into a 3-to-5-year repayment plan, which is often used to catch up on a mortgage and stop foreclosure. A lawyer will tell you which one fits after reviewing your income and debts.
Yes. The instant you file, a federal "automatic stay" takes effect that legally halts collection calls, lawsuits, wage garnishments, and most foreclosures. Creditors who keep contacting you after the filing can face penalties. This immediate relief is one of the main reasons people file.
A Chapter 7 generally stays on your credit report for up to 10 years; a Chapter 13 for up to 7 years. That said, many people see their credit begin to recover within a year or two of discharge, because the debt that was dragging their score down is gone. Rebuilding is very possible.
Bankruptcy is a public court record, but in practice it is not announced to your employer, friends, or family. Most consumer filings draw no attention beyond the creditors involved. The 341 meeting is brief and not a courtroom trial.
Legally yes, but it is risky. The forms are detailed, the exemption rules are unforgiving, and a single mistake can cost you property or get your case dismissed. Given that Chapter 7 fees are relatively modest, most people are far better off with experienced counsel.
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.