Bankruptcy Attorney in Pennsylvania: A Straight-Answer FAQ
I have sat with enough Pennsylvania families to know the first conversation is rarely about the law. It is about whether you keep the house, whether your employer finds out, and whether the phone stops ringing. Here are the answers I give, statewide, before anyone signs anything.
Do I qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Pennsylvania?
Qualifying depends on the means test: your household income over the last six months against the Pennsylvania median for your household size. Below median, you qualify. Above it, allowed deductions for your mortgage, vehicles, taxes, childcare, and health costs often still get you there.
What property can I keep when I file in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania filers may choose the federal exemption set, which protects home equity, a vehicle, household goods, tools of the trade, and retirement accounts. Most Chapter 7 cases I file are no-asset cases in which the client keeps everything.
How long does bankruptcy take?
A Chapter 7 case usually reaches discharge in three to four months. Chapter 13 runs three to five years, but protection from creditors starts the day the case is filed.
Will bankruptcy stop a sheriff's sale or a wage garnishment?
Yes. The automatic stay takes effect the moment the case is filed and halts sheriff's sales, garnishments, repossessions, collection lawsuits, and creditor calls.
Which Pennsylvania bankruptcy court will handle my case?
Pennsylvania has three federal districts — Eastern (Philadelphia and Reading), Middle (Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport), and Western (Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown). Your county determines the district, and 341 meetings are held by video.
How much does a bankruptcy attorney cost in Pennsylvania?
Chapter 7 is a flat fee plus the court filing fee and a credit-counseling course. Chapter 13 requires much less up front because most of the fee is paid through the plan. I quote the flat fee at the free consultation — call (717) 724-7503.
Find the answers for your county
Local courts, local creditors, and local sheriff's-sale calendars change how a case is handled. Start with your county:
- Allegheny County
- Berks County
- Chester County
- Cumberland County
- Dauphin County
- Lackawanna County
- Lancaster County
- Luzerne County
- Montgomery County
- York County
Next step
Run the free bankruptcy calculator, then reach out or call (717) 724-7503. The consultation is free, and nothing about it commits you to filing.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Pennsylvania?
- Qualifying depends on the means test: your household income over the last six months against the Pennsylvania median for your household size. Below median, you qualify. Above it, allowed deductions for your mortgage, vehicles, taxes, childcare, and health costs often still get you there.
- What property can I keep when I file in Pennsylvania?
- Pennsylvania filers may choose the federal exemption set, which protects home equity, a vehicle, household goods, tools of the trade, and retirement accounts. Most Chapter 7 cases I file are no-asset cases in which the client keeps everything.
- How long does bankruptcy take?
- A Chapter 7 case usually reaches discharge in three to four months. Chapter 13 runs three to five years, but protection from creditors starts the day the case is filed.
- Will bankruptcy stop a sheriff's sale or a wage garnishment?
- Yes. The automatic stay takes effect the moment the case is filed and halts sheriff's sales, garnishments, repossessions, collection lawsuits, and creditor calls.
- Which Pennsylvania bankruptcy court will handle my case?
- Pennsylvania has three federal districts — Eastern (Philadelphia and Reading), Middle (Harrisburg, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport), and Western (Pittsburgh, Erie, Johnstown). Your county determines the district, and 341 meetings are held by video.
- How much does a bankruptcy attorney cost in Pennsylvania?
- Chapter 7 is a flat fee plus the court filing fee and a credit-counseling course. Chapter 13 requires much less up front because most of the fee is paid through the plan. I quote the flat fee at the free consultation — call (717) 724-7503.