Chapter 7 · Harris County (S.D. Tex.)
Chapter 7 Discharge — $[##,###] Eliminated
Medical and credit card debt discharged; client kept home and vehicle under Texas exemptions.
Texas Bankruptcy Attorneys
Buried in Debt? Bankruptcy Can Stop It — Starting Today.
Stop foreclosure, repossession, garnishment, and collector calls. A free consultation shows whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits your situation.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
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Bankruptcy
A Fresh Start Is a Legal Right — Not a Failure
Job loss, medical bills, divorce, a business that didn’t make it, or a lawsuit can put anyone behind. Federal bankruptcy law exists for exactly these situations, and most people who file are hardworking Texans who simply ran out of options.
Filing triggers the automatic stay, which stops most collection right away. Depending on your income and goals, Chapter 7 can wipe out qualifying debt in a few months, while Chapter 13 lets you catch up over time and keep your property.
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13
The two types of consumer bankruptcy work very differently. Here is how they compare.
| Feature | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Wipes out qualifying unsecured debt (liquidation) | Court-approved repayment plan to catch up and reorganize |
| Who qualifies | Filers who pass the means test | Filers with regular income within federal debt limits |
| How long | About 3–4 months | 3 or 5 years |
| Your property | Exempt property is protected; the trustee may sell non-exempt property | You keep your property, including non-exempt property, while you follow the plan |
| Court filing fee | $338 (installments or waiver possible) | $313 (installments possible) |
| Best for | Credit card, medical, and personal loan debt with limited income | Stopping foreclosure or repossession, catching up missed payments, tax debt |
Federal debt limits apply to Chapter 13 and are adjusted periodically. Filing fees are set by the federal courts and can change.
The Automatic Stay: Relief the Day You File
The moment your case is filed, federal law orders most creditors to stop collecting.
Foreclosure
Scheduled sales halted
A pending foreclosure sale of your home is stopped while your case is open.
Repossession
Your car stays put
Lenders must stop repossession efforts — and in some cases return a vehicle.
Garnishment
Lawsuits and levies paused
Creditor lawsuits, bank levies, and wage garnishments are put on hold.
Collectors
The calls stop
Collection calls and letters on covered debts must end.
The automatic stay generally does not stop child support or alimony withholding.
What You Can Keep: Texas Exemptions
Texas filers choose either the Texas exemptions or the federal exemptions — you can’t mix the two. For most homeowners, the Texas list is one of the strongest in the country.
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1
Your homestead
No dollar cap. Up to 10 acres in a city or town; in rural areas, up to 100 acres for a single person or 200 acres for a family.
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2
Personal property
Vehicles, furniture, tools, and other personal property up to $50,000 for a single person or $100,000 for a family, not counting liens.
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3
Retirement accounts
Retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs are generally protected.
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4
Residency rules
Generally you must have lived in Texas about 2 years (730 days) to use the Texas exemptions. Federal law can limit the homestead exemption for a home bought within roughly the last 40 months.
How We Help
From the first call to your discharge, an attorney handles your case.
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1
A free review of your options
We compare Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 using your income, property, and goals before you pay anything.
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2
Counseling and paperwork
We make sure you complete credit counseling within 180 days before filing and prepare complete, accurate schedules.
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3
Emergency filings
When a foreclosure sale, repossession, or lawsuit is close, we move fast to put the automatic stay in place.
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4
The meeting of creditors
We prepare you for the 341 meeting with the trustee, usually about a month after filing, and attend it with you. Most are brief, and you rarely see a judge.
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5
Through discharge and after
We track the debtor-education course and every deadline to discharge, then help you start rebuilding credit right away.
We File in Every Texas Bankruptcy District
Texas has four federal bankruptcy districts. Wherever you live, your case is filed in the district that covers your county.
| District | Divisions include |
|---|---|
| Northern District (N.D. Tex.) | Dallas, Fort Worth, Amarillo, Lubbock, Abilene, San Angelo, Wichita Falls |
| Southern District (S.D. Tex.) | Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, Victoria |
| Eastern District (E.D. Tex.) | Tyler, Beaumont, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana, Marshall, Lufkin |
| Western District (W.D. Tex.) | San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Waco, Midland |
Sample Bankruptcy Results
Chapter 13 · Travis County (W.D. Tex.)
Foreclosure Sale Stopped — Home Kept
Plan confirmed to cure missed mortgage payments over five years.
Chapter 13 · Tarrant County (N.D. Tex.)
Repossession Reversed — Vehicle Returned
Filing triggered the automatic stay, and the lender returned the client’s truck.
Chapter 13 · Hidalgo County (S.D. Tex.)
Wage Garnishment Stopped the Day of Filing
Federal student loan garnishment halted by the automatic stay; payments restructured in the plan.
Sample results for this demo template. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What to do right now
Before You File for Bankruptcy
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01
Don’t ignore court papers
Lawsuits, foreclosure notices, and garnishment papers have deadlines. Keep every envelope and call us.
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02
Don’t move money or property
Don’t transfer property, pay back family, or empty accounts right before filing — the trustee can undo those transfers.
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03
Don’t run up new debt
Avoid new credit card charges and cash advances. Recent debts can be challenged and may not be discharged.
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04
Gather papers and call
Collect 6 months of pay stubs, tax returns, bills, and statements. Call before any sale or garnishment date.
Questions
Bankruptcy FAQ
Every case is different. Call for answers about yours — the consultation is free.
(800) 555-0100Usually not. The Texas homestead exemption has no dollar cap, so most Texans who are current on their mortgage keep their home. If you are behind, Chapter 13 lets you catch up over 3 to 5 years.
Most filers keep their vehicles. Texas protects vehicles within the $50,000 single / $100,000 family personal property exemption, not counting liens. To keep a financed car, you generally stay current on the loan.
Often, yes. Filing before the sale triggers the automatic stay, which halts the sale. Call as soon as possible — timing matters, and an emergency filing can often be prepared quickly.
For most consumer debts, no. Texas does not allow wage garnishment for credit cards, medical bills, or personal and auto loans. The exceptions are child support and alimony, taxes, and defaulted federal student loans.
No. Married people can file alone or jointly. Because Texas is a community property state, we review how filing alone affects community property and joint debts.
A Chapter 7 case usually ends with a discharge in about 3 to 4 months. A Chapter 13 plan lasts 3 or 5 years. Either way, the meeting of creditors is usually about a month after filing.
Usually not dischargeable: child support and alimony, most student loans (unless undue hardship is proven), recent taxes, criminal fines and restitution, debts from fraud, and debts for injury caused while intoxicated.
Every Hour Matters. Let’s Start Now.
Foreclosure sales and garnishments don’t wait. Speak with a Texas bankruptcy attorney today — free and confidential.