Bankruptcy Lawyer in Chicago IL

To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Chicago, you must pass the means test, which compares your income to the median household income in Illinois. If your income is below the median, you likely qualify. If it’s above, further calculations are required to determine eligibility based on your disposable income and expenses.

At JP Legal LLC, we perform a free initial consultation and complete the means test for you. We’ll assess your income, assets, and debt structure to determine if Chapter 7 is a viable option. Our goal is to give you peace of mind and a clear path forward.

In Illinois, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 10 years from the date you file. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains for 7 years.

While this may sound discouraging, many clients of JP Legal LLC start rebuilding their credit shortly after filing. In fact, many find they can qualify for credit cards or car loans within a year or two post-discharge. We offer practical credit recovery guidance as part of our comprehensive bankruptcy services.

Yes. Filing for bankruptcy immediately triggers the automatic stay, a legal order that halts most collection actions—including wage garnishments and foreclosure proceedings.

At JP Legal LLC, we act quickly to file your bankruptcy petition and notify your creditors and employer. This legal protection gives you the breathing room you need to catch your breath and plan your next steps, whether that’s staying in your home or stopping wage deductions.

In many cases, yes. Illinois law provides exemptions that may allow you to keep your home, car, and other essential assets when you file for bankruptcy.

At JP Legal LLC, we’ll review your property and equity to determine how exemptions apply to you. In Chapter 7, if your equity falls within the allowed limits, you can keep the asset. In Chapter 13, you can often keep everything while repaying a portion of your debts over time.

We’ll make sure you understand all of your options and never put your critical assets at risk unnecessarily.

Technically, you can file for bankruptcy without an attorney (a process called pro se filing). However, bankruptcy is complex, and even small mistakes can result in lost property, case dismissal, or missed opportunities for debt relief.

At JP Legal LLC, we guide you through every step—preparing and filing your petition, representing you in court, and communicating with trustees and creditors. With our help, you can avoid costly errors and complete the process with confidence.

When you file for bankruptcy in Chicago, you’ll need to provide several key documents, including:

• Tax returns (last 2 years)
• Pay stubs or proof of income (last 6 months)
• Bank statements
• A list of your assets and debts
• Monthly expenses
• Credit counseling certificate

JP Legal LLC makes this process simple by providing a detailed checklist and secure client portal where you can upload your documents. We handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on moving forward.

The length of the bankruptcy process depends on which chapter you file:

• Chapter 7: typically takes about 3 to 5 months from filing to discharge.
• Chapter 13: involves a 3- to 5-year repayment plan before full discharge.

At JP Legal LLC, we work efficiently to get your case filed quickly and keep it on track. Our firm has helped hundreds of Chicago-area clients complete the process smoothly and successfully.

While you won’t need to appear before a judge unless something unusual happens, you are required to attend a 341 meeting of creditors—a short, non-adversarial meeting with the bankruptcy trustee.

At JP Legal LLC, we’ll prepare you thoroughly and attend this meeting with you. In most cases, that’s the only required appearance. Everything else—from document prep to filing—is handled by our legal team so you can avoid courtrooms and legal stress.