Buried in debt in Sedgwick County? These firms handle Chapter 7 and 13
Filing bankruptcy can stop wage garnishment, end collection calls, and give you a real fresh start. The right Wichita attorney tells you honestly whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits, or whether you should not file at all.
Calling a bankruptcy lawyer can feel like giving up. It is usually the opposite. For many Wichita families, a well-timed Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 stops garnishment, halts foreclosure or repossession, and clears a path to rebuild credit faster than years of minimum payments.
Wichita bankruptcy cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Kansas. A good attorney runs the means test, protects your home and car under Kansas exemptions, and steers you to the right chapter, or to a non-bankruptcy option if that serves you better.
We list seven established Kansas bankruptcy practices serving Wichita, from the state's largest consumer filer to a board-certified business-bankruptcy specialist. Most offer a free consultation, and several focus on bankruptcy almost exclusively.
How we picked these 7: 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 Wichita-area bankruptcy practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Coons & Crump is the largest consumer bankruptcy firm in Kansas, with offices in Wichita and across the state, focused on consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.
Why they made the list: High-volume consumer focus and the experience that comes with handling many Kansas filings.
Practice focus: Consumer and business bankruptcy, plus related litigation and real estate.
Founder David Prelle Eron is Wichita's only Business Bankruptcy Specialist certified by the American Board of Certification, and the firm handles both individual and business cases from downtown Wichita.
Why they made the list: The go-to option when a business or a more complex bankruptcy is involved.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy and insolvency for individuals and businesses.
Mark J. Lazzo has more than 33 years of bankruptcy and insolvency experience and has run his Wichita practice since 1986, with active involvement in the Kansas Bar bankruptcy section.
Why they made the list: Decades of focused bankruptcy experience across consumer and business cases.
Practice focus: Consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Allen Hickey has helped Kansans address debt for more than 25 years and files Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in all three District of Kansas locations, including Wichita.
Why they made the list: Long consumer-bankruptcy experience with statewide filing reach.
Practice focus: Consumer bankruptcy and debt-relief alternatives.
Attorney Norman Douglas and the Kansas Bankruptcy Center have helped hundreds of Kansas residents resolve serious debt, walking clients through bankruptcy or alternative debt-relief options.
Why they made the list: A consumer-focused practice that also discusses non-bankruptcy options up front.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy, trustee work, and creditor and debtor representation.
The bankruptcy attorneys formerly of Redmond & Nazar, including longtime practitioners Edward J. Nazar and W. Thomas Gilman, now practice at Hinkle Law Firm's downtown Wichita office, continuing a bankruptcy practice that dates to 1958.
Why they made the list: Deep institutional bankruptcy experience, including complex and trustee matters.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy and creditor litigation within a full-service Wichita firm.
Klenda Austerman maintains a fully staffed bankruptcy department whose attorneys advise on the pros and cons of filing and handle both debtor and creditor matters.
Why they made the list: A full-service firm option when bankruptcy overlaps with business or litigation issues.
Tell us about your debts and we will connect you with a vetted Wichita bankruptcy attorney for a free consultation. No obligation.
Pick a lawyer who explains both chapters clearly. Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying debt; Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan. A good lawyer tells you which fits and why, in plain English.
Ask about your home and car. The point of Kansas exemptions is to protect what you need. Confirm how the lawyer plans to keep your house and vehicle.
Get the flat fee and what it covers. Most consumer cases are flat fee. Ask what is included, what court and filing fees are extra, and whether a payment plan is available.
Make sure they consider alternatives. Sometimes negotiation or budgeting beats filing. A trustworthy lawyer will say so rather than push you to file.
Confirm who prepares your petition. Accuracy matters; errors can sink a case. Ask whether an attorney or staff prepares and reviews your filing.
Most Wichita consumer bankruptcies are handled for a flat fee, plus the court's filing fee. Typical ranges:
Many firms offer payment plans, and in Chapter 13 much of the fee can be folded into your plan, which is part of why people who feel they cannot afford a lawyer often still can.
Bankruptcy timelines depend on the chapter. A rough Wichita arc:
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.
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 Wichita attorney can tell you what to watch for and where the real risks are before they become expensive.
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Yes. Filing triggers an automatic stay that stops most garnishment, collection calls, and lawsuits immediately, which is often the most urgent reason people file.
Most consumer Chapter 7 cases run about 1,000 to 1,800 dollars in attorney fees plus the court filing fee. Chapter 13 fees are higher but largely paid through the plan.
Chapter 7 erases qualifying debt if you pass the means test; Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan and can save a home from foreclosure. A lawyer runs the numbers for your situation.
Often no. Kansas exemptions are designed to protect what you need to live and work. Ask the lawyer exactly how your assets are treated.
Chapter 7 can appear for up to 10 years and Chapter 13 for up to 7, but many people start rebuilding credit within a year or two of discharge.
You must complete credit counseling before filing, and there are limits on how often you can file. A lawyer confirms your eligibility.
You can, but mistakes can cost you your discharge or your property. Given the flat fees and payment plans available, most people are better off with 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.