Jacksonville · FL · Vetted Directory

Top Bankruptcy Lawyers in Jacksonville

If the debt has gotten ahead of you, bankruptcy may be the reset you need, and Jacksonville has experienced lawyers who do this every day. Most personal cases are either a Chapter 7, which can wipe out qualifying debt in a few months, or a Chapter 13, which sets up a court-approved repayment plan. Florida's homestead exemption is one of the most generous in the country, so many people keep their home. Jacksonville cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. Below are vetted Jacksonville bankruptcy firms.

Ch. 7
3–4 months typical
Ch. 13
3–5 year plan
M.D. Fla.
Jacksonville Division
Homestead
Florida exemption

Updated May 25, 2026

When you actually need a bankruptcy lawyer in Jacksonville

You can technically file bankruptcy without a lawyer, but it is one of the worst do-it-yourself areas in law. The means test, the exemption choices, and the paperwork are unforgiving, and a mistake can cost you property or get your case dismissed. A Jacksonville bankruptcy lawyer figures out whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits, protects your home and car using Florida's exemptions, stops collection calls and garnishments with the automatic stay, and handles the trustee. For most people, the question is not whether to hire a lawyer but which chapter to file.

The relief is real: filing triggers an automatic stay that immediately halts most collection, lawsuits, wage garnishment, and foreclosure activity while your case is pending.

Talk to a Jacksonville bankruptcy lawyer if any of these describe your situation.

  • Creditors are calling constantly or have sent your debt to collections.
  • Your wages are being garnished or your bank account was frozen.
  • You are facing foreclosure on a Jacksonville home.
  • You owe more on credit cards and medical bills than you can ever repay.
  • A car is about to be repossessed.
  • You are being sued by a creditor or already have a judgment against you.
  • You want to know whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits your income and assets.
  • You are worried about losing your house, car, or retirement account.
  • You need to stop the bleeding and get a clear, legal fresh start.

How a Jacksonville bankruptcy usually moves

For a typical Chapter 7: Step 1: you complete a credit-counseling course and your lawyer gathers your income, debts, and assets. Step 2: the petition is filed, which immediately triggers the automatic stay that stops most collection. Step 3: about a month later you attend the 341 meeting of creditors, usually short and routine with your lawyer present. Step 4: if no issues arise, the court grants your discharge roughly 60 to 90 days after that meeting, wiping out qualifying debt. A Chapter 13 is longer: instead of a quick discharge, you make payments under a court-approved plan for three to five years, then receive your discharge. Which chapter you qualify for depends on the means test and your goals.

What this typically costs in Jacksonville

$1,000–$1,800
Chapter 7 attorney fee
$338
Chapter 7 filing fee
~$4,500
Ch. 13 no-look fee
$313
Chapter 13 filing fee

A Jacksonville Chapter 7 is usually a flat attorney fee, commonly $1,000 to $1,800 for a straightforward case, plus the $338 court filing fee and a small charge for required credit counseling. Because Chapter 7 fees generally must be paid before filing, many firms offer payment plans up front. Chapter 13 attorney fees are often set by the court as a presumptively reasonable 'no-look' fee, frequently around $4,500 in the Middle District of Florida, and much of that can be paid through your repayment plan rather than up front. The Chapter 13 filing fee is $313. Ask each firm for a written quote and whether your case has any complications that raise the cost.

What is specific about Florida and Jacksonville bankruptcy

  • Florida's homestead exemption. Florida protects unlimited equity in your primary home, subject to acreage limits (up to half an acre inside a municipality), which is why many Jacksonville filers keep their house. You generally must have owned it long enough to claim the full amount.
  • Florida uses state exemptions. Florida has opted out of the federal exemption set, so you use Florida's exemptions for your car, personal property, and wages. There is also a personal-property exemption and a separate allowance if you do not use the homestead.
  • Head-of-household wage protection. Florida law strongly protects the wages of someone who provides more than half the support for a dependent, which affects garnishment and Chapter 13 planning.
  • The court. Jacksonville bankruptcies are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, which covers the surrounding northeast Florida counties.
  • The means test. Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 turns on your household income compared with the Florida median for your family size. A local lawyer runs this for you before you file.

Jacksonville firms that handle bankruptcy

Updated May 25, 2026. Verified across Super Lawyers, Martindale, Justia, Avvo, and firm records. We do not accept payment for placement. Where a firm's aggregate client rating is not yet compiled, we say so rather than invent one.

1

Parker & DuFresne, P.A.

Bankruptcy & foreclosureJacksonville, FloridaConsumer-focused firm

A Jacksonville firm focused on consumer bankruptcy and foreclosure defense, handling both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. A good fit for homeowners trying to stop foreclosure and get a fresh start.

Consultation Available Chapter 7Chapter 13Foreclosure Defense
Request Free Consult
2

Sacks & Sacks Law

BankruptcyJacksonville, FloridaDebt-relief practice

A Jacksonville debt-relief firm that handles personal bankruptcy filings under Chapters 7 and 13. A good fit for individuals and families who want a straightforward path out of overwhelming debt.

Consultation Available Chapter 7Chapter 13Debt Relief
Request Free Consult
3

Law Offices of Carol M. Galloway, P.A.

Consumer bankruptcyJacksonville, FloridaEstablished solo practice

A long-standing Jacksonville bankruptcy practice handling consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. A good fit for clients who want an experienced, individualized approach to debt relief.

Consultation Available Chapter 7Chapter 13Consumer
Request Free Consult
4

Jax Law Center

Bankruptcy & debtJacksonville, FloridaConsumer firm

A Jacksonville firm that concentrates on consumer bankruptcy and debt relief, guiding clients through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. A good fit for people who want a local, accessible firm focused on getting them out of debt.

Consultation Available Chapter 7Chapter 13Debt Relief
Request Free Consult
5

Edward P. Jackson, P.A.

BankruptcyJacksonville, FloridaBoard-certified experience

A Jacksonville bankruptcy attorney with deep experience in consumer and business bankruptcy matters. A good fit for clients who want a seasoned practitioner, including those with more complex or business-related debt.

Consultation Available Chapter 7Chapter 13Business Bankruptcy
Request Free Consult

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Bankruptcy in Jacksonville — FAQ

How long does a Chapter 7 take in Jacksonville?
A straightforward Chapter 7 usually finishes in about three to four months. After your lawyer files the petition, you attend a short 341 meeting of creditors roughly a month later, and the court typically grants your discharge 60 to 90 days after that meeting. The automatic stay stops most collection the moment you file, so relief starts right away even though the discharge comes at the end.
Will I lose my house if I file bankruptcy in Jacksonville?
Often, no. Florida's homestead exemption protects unlimited equity in your primary residence, subject to acreage limits, which is why many Jacksonville filers keep their homes in Chapter 7. If you are behind on the mortgage and want to catch up, Chapter 13 lets you repay the arrears over time while keeping the house. A Jacksonville bankruptcy lawyer will tell you exactly how the exemption applies to your home before you file.
Should I file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
It depends on your income and your goals. Chapter 7 wipes out qualifying debt quickly but you must pass the means test based on Florida median income for your household size. Chapter 13 sets up a three-to-five-year repayment plan and is often the right choice if you earn too much for Chapter 7, are behind on a mortgage or car you want to keep, or have certain debts that Chapter 7 will not address. A local lawyer runs the means test and recommends the chapter that fits.
How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in Jacksonville?
A Chapter 7 is usually a flat fee of roughly $1,000 to $1,800 for a typical case, plus the $338 court filing fee. Because Chapter 7 fees generally must be paid before the case is filed, firms often set up a short payment plan first. Chapter 13 attorney fees in the Middle District of Florida are frequently a court-approved 'no-look' fee around $4,500, much of which can be paid through your repayment plan rather than up front. Get a written quote at your consultation.
Can bankruptcy stop wage garnishment or a lawsuit?
Yes. The moment your case is filed, the automatic stay legally halts most collection activity, including wage garnishment, bank levies, collection lawsuits, and foreclosure steps, while your case is pending. Creditors must stop contacting you. This is one of the biggest reasons people file when a garnishment or judgment hits. A Jacksonville bankruptcy lawyer can often file quickly to stop a garnishment that has already started.

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