Drowning in debt in Reno? Start here.
Bankruptcy is federal law, but it is filed locally — Reno cases go through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court's Reno division. Nevada also has one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country, which can protect a large chunk of your home equity. The right Reno bankruptcy lawyer helps you choose between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 and keep what the law lets you keep.
These are the Reno bankruptcy firms we see most often across Avvo, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, and bankruptcy-court practice, cross-checked against client reviews. We verified seven that met our bar, spanning consumer Chapter 7 and 13 filings and complex business reorganizations.
Most consumer bankruptcies are handled for a flat fee, and a free consultation is standard. Business and Chapter 11 work is more often billed hourly. Talk to two or three firms before you choose.
How we picked these 7: We reviewed peer rankings (Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), client review patterns on Google and Avvo, bar-association standing, and published case results. Firms had to appear consistently across at least two independent sources to make the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 13
Reno debt-relief firm led by Kevin and Tricia Darby; Tricia Darby has been named among Northern Nevada's top attorneys, and the firm handles both consumer and business filings.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 13
Stephen R. Harris has practiced bankruptcy in Northern Nevada for more than four decades, with particular depth in Chapter 11 business reorganizations.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, estate planning
Reno firm led by Laury Macauley handling consumer and business bankruptcy alongside estate planning, useful when debt and long-term planning overlap.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 13, creditor rights
Reno practice that guides individuals, trustees, and creditors through both personal and business bankruptcy procedures.
Practice focus: Business bankruptcy, restructuring, creditors' rights
Regional full-service firm whose Reno office handles complex business bankruptcy and restructuring; a fit for company filings rather than simple consumer cases.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt relief
Consumer bankruptcy and debt-relief practice serving Reno filers in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, with high-volume consumer intake.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcy
Reno attorney handling consumer bankruptcy filings alongside a long defense practice; a solo option for straightforward Chapter 7 and 13 cases.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted bankruptcy attorneys in Reno. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Fill this out and we'll match you with two or three vetted Reno firms. No fee. No obligation. Privacy policy.
Match the firm to the type of filing. A consumer Chapter 7 or 13 is well served by a focused consumer firm like Darby Law Practice or Resolve Law Group. A business reorganization or Chapter 11 belongs with a firm like Harris Law Practice or Holland & Hart that does that work regularly.
Ask what the flat fee covers. For consumer cases, confirm whether the quoted fee includes the credit-counseling courses, the filing fee, the meeting of creditors, and any reaffirmation work, or whether those are extra.
Check the lawyer's bankruptcy-court experience. Bankruptcy has its own court, trustees, and local rules. A lawyer who appears in the Reno bankruptcy division regularly will move your case more smoothly than a generalist who files occasionally.
A straightforward Reno Chapter 7 is commonly handled for a flat fee of roughly $1,200-$2,000 plus the $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 fees are higher — often $3,000-$4,500 — but much of that is typically paid through your repayment plan rather than up front. Business and Chapter 11 cases are billed hourly and cost considerably more.
Most consumer firms offer a free consultation and a clear flat-fee quote. For a broader breakdown, see our bankruptcy lawyer cost guide.
Where you file. Bankruptcy is federal, and Reno cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada, Reno division. A local bankruptcy lawyer knows the regional trustees and judges.
Nevada's homestead exemption is large. Nevada protects up to $605,000 of equity in your primary residence (NRS 115.010), one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country. That can mean keeping your home through a Chapter 7 in many cases.
The means test decides Chapter 7 eligibility. Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 depends on the means test, which compares your income to Nevada's median for your household size. If your income is too high, Chapter 13 (a repayment plan) is the usual path.
Exemptions protect more than your home. Nevada law also shields a vehicle up to a set value, tools of the trade, retirement accounts, and other property. A lawyer maps your assets to the exemptions before filing so you keep as much as the law allows.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a dismissal, a dollar figure, or an approval, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior or a paralegal runs the file. Ask in writing who your day-to-day attorney will be.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms hand you the agreement in writing and give you time to read it. High-pressure intake is usually a sign of a volume shop, not a careful practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should point to peer rankings, bar standing, or named results. “We've helped thousands” is marketing; specifics are evidence.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate Reno bankruptcy lawyer will give you a written agreement spelling out the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges.
Most Reno firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign anything.
Often, no. Nevada's homestead exemption protects up to $605,000 of home equity (NRS 115.010), so many filers keep their homes in Chapter 7 as long as they stay current on the mortgage. A lawyer can confirm based on your equity.
A typical Chapter 7 runs roughly $1,200-$2,000 in attorney fees plus the $338 filing fee. Chapter 13 fees are higher (often $3,000-$4,500), but much of that is usually paid through the repayment plan. Business cases cost more.
It depends on your income, assets, and goals. Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt quickly if you pass the means test; Chapter 13 sets up a 3-to-5-year repayment plan and can help you catch up on a mortgage or car. A lawyer will recommend based on your numbers.
Most consumer bankruptcy firms on this list offer a free initial consultation to review your debts and explain your options.
Yes. Filing triggers an automatic stay that immediately halts most collection efforts, including calls, lawsuits, and wage garnishments, while your case proceeds.
A Chapter 7 generally stays on your credit report for up to 10 years and a Chapter 13 for up to 7 years, but many people begin rebuilding credit within a year or two of discharge.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many cases like yours they have handled in the last three years — the answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team