Bankruptcy is not failure - it is a legal tool, and used correctly it can stop the calls, halt a foreclosure, and give you a clean start. Lubbock cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, and Texas exemption rules are among the most protective in the country. The lawyer you choose determines how much of what you own you keep. Every firm below has a verifiable Lubbock bankruptcy practice confirmed across at least two independent sources.
Updated November 06, 202511 min readEditorially independent
If your debt has gotten ahead of you, bankruptcy can be the reset that nothing else provides. The moment you file, an automatic stay stops most collection calls, wage garnishments, and foreclosure actions. Lubbock bankruptcies are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, which has a Lubbock division, and the right attorney guides you through which chapter fits and what you get to keep.
Most consumers choose between two paths. Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying unsecured debts in a few months, but you must pass a 'means test' that compares your household income to the Texas median. Chapter 13 reorganizes your debts into a three-to-five-year repayment plan, which can save a house from foreclosure or a car from repossession. Texas is unusually generous on exemptions - the homestead exemption can protect an unlimited amount of equity in your home - so getting the analysis right is exactly where a local bankruptcy lawyer earns the fee.
Bankruptcy is a smaller, more specialized field than divorce or criminal defense, and several Lubbock attorneys are board-certified in consumer bankruptcy. The six firms below all have a verifiable Lubbock bankruptcy practice and were confirmed across at least two independent directories (Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, or Expertise.com) or their own published records. This is the full set of Lubbock bankruptcy practices we could independently verify, which is why this list runs to six rather than ten.
How we picked these 6: 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 Lubbock-area bankruptcy practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Tarbox Law, P.C. (Max R. Tarbox)
Lubbock, TX20+ years bankruptcyTexas Super Lawyer
Practice focus: Chapter 7, 11, 12, and 13 - consumer and business bankruptcy
The practice of Max R. Tarbox, who has served the Lubbock area for more than 20 years and handles consumer and business bankruptcy across Chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13. Tarbox has been named a Texas Super Lawyer multiple years, is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, and has been recognized locally as a top bankruptcy lawyer.
Why they made the list: Two decades of consumer and business bankruptcy work and a strong peer-review record across the full range of chapters.
Lubbock, TXBoard-certified since 2000Consumer focus
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy, debt relief
Elizabeth Huffman is, by her own published record, the only female attorney in Lubbock certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential she earned in 2000. Her debt-relief practice guides individuals through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 step by step.
Why they made the list: Board certification in consumer bankruptcy and a practice built entirely around helping individuals get out from under debt.
Lubbock, TX20+ years, board-certifiedDebtors & creditors
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy for debtors and creditors
Sam C. Gregory has practiced law for more than 20 years in Lubbock and is certified in consumer bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The practice represents both debtors and creditors in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.
Why they made the list: A board-certified bankruptcy specialist who has seen cases from both the debtor and creditor side.
Lubbock, TXIndividuals & businessesCh. 7 and Ch. 13
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debt evaluation
A Lubbock bankruptcy practice led by Tanya Boucher Conn that represents individuals and businesses, evaluating each client for Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13 and handling the filing through discharge.
Why they made the list: A practice that handles both consumer and business filings and starts with a clear chapter-eligibility analysis.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy
R. Byrn Bass, Jr. is a top-rated Lubbock bankruptcy attorney with an office in the Wells Fargo Center at 1500 Broadway. He handles consumer and business reorganizations and liquidations across the major chapters.
Why they made the list: A long-recognized Lubbock bankruptcy lawyer for clients who want individual attention on a consumer or business filing.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy
An established Lubbock practice handling consumer bankruptcy, listed with the Better Business Bureau and recognized among the area's bankruptcy attorneys. The office focuses on guiding individuals through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.
Why they made the list: A long-standing local option for individuals who want a straightforward consumer filing handled by an experienced hand.
Tell us about your debts and what you are trying to protect. We'll connect you with one of these Lubbock bankruptcy firms or a similar one for a confidential consultation.
How to choose between them in Lubbock
Confirm the means-test analysis up front. Your eligibility for Chapter 7 hinges on the means test against the Texas median income. A lawyer who runs the numbers correctly can usually tell you in the first meeting which chapter you qualify for and what it means for your property.
Look for board certification on a complex case. If you own a business, have significant assets, or face a foreclosure, a board-certified consumer bankruptcy specialist like Elizabeth Huffman or Sam Gregory brings credentials only a few Lubbock lawyers hold.
Ask exactly what the flat fee covers. Most Chapter 7 cases are flat-fee. Confirm whether the quote includes the filing fee, the required credit-counseling courses, and any creditor challenges, so you are not surprised later.
Make sure they protect your exemptions. Texas exemptions are generous, but only if claimed correctly. Ask how the lawyer will protect your home, vehicle, and retirement accounts under Texas and federal exemption rules.
What bankruptcy help typically costs in Lubbock
Consumer bankruptcy in Lubbock is usually billed as a flat fee, with court costs on top. What you pay depends on the chapter and complexity:
Chapter 7 attorney fee: Commonly a flat fee from about $1,200 to $2,500 for a straightforward consumer case, paid before filing.
Chapter 13 attorney fee: Often $3,000 to $4,500, much of which can be paid through the repayment plan rather than up front.
Court filing fees: Set by the federal court - several hundred dollars - and charged separately from the attorney's fee.
Required courses: A pre-filing credit-counseling course and a pre-discharge debtor-education course are required; each costs a small fee.
Be cautious of a quote far below these ranges; bankruptcy errors can cost you property or a discharge. Ask what the flat fee includes before you sign.
How long it takes
The timeline depends entirely on which chapter you file:
Preparation (weeks): You gather financial records, complete the credit-counseling course, and your lawyer prepares the petition and schedules.
Automatic stay (immediate): The moment you file, an automatic stay stops most collection calls, garnishments, and foreclosure actions.
Chapter 7 discharge (3-4 months): After the meeting of creditors, most qualifying unsecured debts are discharged within a few months.
Chapter 13 plan (3-5 years): You make monthly payments under a court-approved repayment plan; the discharge comes once the plan is complete.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a bankruptcy lawyer in Lubbock
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 Lubbock 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 Lubbock
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 Lubbock
What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying unsecured debts in a few months if you pass the means test. Chapter 13 reorganizes your debts into a three-to-five-year repayment plan, which can stop a foreclosure or catch up missed car payments. A lawyer can tell you which fits your situation.
Will I lose my house or car if I file in Texas?
Often not. Texas has an unlimited homestead exemption and protects a vehicle and many household items, and Chapter 13 is designed to let you keep secured property by catching up the payments. The right exemptions are exactly what a bankruptcy lawyer protects.
What debts can't bankruptcy erase?
Most student loans, recent income taxes, child support, and alimony generally survive bankruptcy. A lawyer can tell you which of your specific debts would actually be discharged.
How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in Lubbock?
A straightforward Chapter 7 commonly runs $1,200 to $2,500 flat plus court costs, and Chapter 13 often runs $3,000 to $4,500, much of which can be paid through the plan.
Does filing bankruptcy stop collection calls?
Yes. The automatic stay takes effect the instant you file and legally stops most collection calls, wage garnishments, lawsuits, and foreclosure actions while your case is pending.
How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit?
A Chapter 7 can appear on your credit report for up to 10 years and a Chapter 13 for up to 7, but many people begin rebuilding credit within a year or two of discharge.
Do I have to go to court?
Usually just once, for a short meeting of creditors (the 341 meeting) where the trustee asks routine questions. Most consumer cases never involve a courtroom hearing in front of a judge.
What should I bring to the consultation?
Recent pay stubs, tax returns, a list of debts and creditors, and a list of major assets. The more complete your financial picture, the more accurately a lawyer can advise you.
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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