Honolulu · HI · Vetted Directory

Top Bankruptcy Lawyers in Honolulu

If debt has gotten ahead of you in Honolulu, bankruptcy is a legal reset, not a moral failure, and a lawyer makes sure you keep what the law lets you keep. Cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii here in Honolulu. Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt if you pass the means test, while Chapter 13 sets up a court-approved repayment plan. Hawaii's own exemptions protect a chunk of your home equity and essentials. Below are vetted Honolulu firms that handle Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and debt relief.

$338
Chapter 7 filing fee
$1.2k-$2.5k
Chapter 7 attorney
$30k
HI homestead
Free
First consult

Updated May 12, 2026

When you need a Honolulu bankruptcy lawyer

Bankruptcy is not the only answer, but talk to a Honolulu bankruptcy lawyer if:

  • Creditors are calling, suing, or garnishing your wages and you cannot keep up.
  • You are behind on a mortgage or car loan and want to catch up or stop a foreclosure.
  • You have medical or credit-card debt you have no realistic way to pay.
  • You want to know whether you pass the means test for Chapter 7.
  • You need to protect your home equity and essentials using Hawaii's exemptions.
  • You are weighing Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13 and need a clear comparison.

What a Honolulu bankruptcy lawyer costs

$338
Chapter 7 filing
$1.2k-$2.5k
Chapter 7 attorney
$3.5k-$5k+
Chapter 13 attorney
Free
First consult

In Honolulu, the court filing fee is about $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees for a straightforward Chapter 7 commonly run $1,200 to $2,500, while Chapter 13 runs roughly $3,500 to $5,000 or more, often paid through the repayment plan. Most firms offer a free first consultation and will tell you upfront which chapter fits and what it will cost.

How a Honolulu bankruptcy moves

  • Means test and counseling: you complete a credit-counseling course and the means test, which checks Chapter 7 eligibility against Hawaii median income.
  • Filing: your petition is filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii in Honolulu, which triggers an automatic stay that stops collection and garnishment.
  • 341 meeting: a short meeting of creditors with the trustee, usually the only appearance most filers make.
  • Exemptions: Hawaii exemptions protect a portion of your home equity and essentials so you keep them.
  • Discharge or plan: Chapter 7 discharges qualifying debt in a few months; Chapter 13 runs a three-to-five-year repayment plan.

For a national overview, see our bankruptcy guide, or browse all Honolulu lawyers. The full ranked write-up is in our Top 10 bankruptcy lawyers in Honolulu guide. Related Honolulu pages cover Honolulu tax & IRS, Honolulu real estate, and Honolulu estate planning.

Honolulu firms that handle bankruptcy

1

Blake Goodman, PC, Attorney

HonoluluChapter 7, Chapter 13

A Honolulu bankruptcy practice handling Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and debt relief for individuals and families. A fit for filers who want a focused consumer-bankruptcy attorney.

Free ConsultationDebt relief
Request Free Consult
2

Greg Dunn Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Attorney

HonoluluChapter 7, Chapter 13

A Honolulu attorney concentrated on consumer bankruptcy and debt relief. A fit for people who want a dedicated bankruptcy lawyer to walk them through Chapter 7 or 13.

Free ConsultationConsumer bankruptcy
Request Free Consult
3

Law Office of William C. Bullard

HonoluluChapter 7, 13, workouts

A Honolulu firm handling Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and debt workouts. A fit for filers weighing bankruptcy against a negotiated payoff with creditors.

Free ConsultationDebt workouts
Request Free Consult
4

Hawaii Debt Solutions

HonoluluConsumer bankruptcy

A Honolulu consumer-bankruptcy and debt-relief practice (Martin Berger). A fit for individuals seeking a clear path out of overwhelming debt.

Free ConsultationMartin Berger
Request Free Consult
5

Hawaii Chapter Bankruptcy

HonoluluChapter 7, Chapter 13

A Honolulu practice focused on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings. A fit for residents who want straightforward help filing and protecting what the law allows.

Free ConsultationFiling help
Request Free Consult

Firm details are gathered from public sources (Justia, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale). Ratings not shown are not yet aggregated. See the full ranked guide: Top 10 bankruptcy lawyers in Honolulu.

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Bankruptcy in Honolulu — FAQ

How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Honolulu?
The court filing fee is about $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees commonly run $1,200 to $2,500 for a straightforward Chapter 7 and $3,500 to $5,000 or more for Chapter 13, often paid through the plan.
Where is a Honolulu bankruptcy case filed?
Cases are filed with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii, located in Honolulu. Bankruptcy is federal, so the court and the basic rules are the same statewide, while Hawaii's exemptions protect your property.
What is the means test for Chapter 7?
The means test compares your income to Hawaii's median for your household size. If you fall below it, you generally qualify for Chapter 7; if above, you may still qualify after expenses, or you may file Chapter 13 instead.
What does Hawaii's homestead exemption protect?
Hawaii's homestead exemption protects up to about $30,000 of equity in your home for a head of household or someone 65 or older, and about $20,000 otherwise. A lawyer applies Hawaii's exemptions so you keep what the law allows.
Will bankruptcy stop wage garnishment and creditor calls?
Yes. Filing triggers an automatic stay that immediately stops most collection, including wage garnishment, lawsuits, and creditor calls. That breathing room is one of the biggest reasons people file once debt becomes unmanageable.

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