A way forward when the debt feels like too much
A real fresh start from debt is possible.
If debt has become hard to carry, you are not alone and you are not a failure. A fresh start may be possible, and we can help you understand the basics and get matched free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you.
The big decision
Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 — the plain version
The two main kinds of consumer bankruptcy work very differently. Here's how they compare, side by side. A licensed attorney can tell you which fits your case.
Where to start
Where to start with CleanSlate Match
Pick what's weighing on you most. Each one is explained in plain language — no jargon, no judgment.
How it works
How getting matched works
Four clear steps — and you stay in control of every decision.
What kind of debt, your state, and how to reach you. General intent only — never your Social Security number or any account numbers.
We connect you, at no cost, with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you who can work in plain language and, where possible, your preferred language.
Ask for the flat fee and scope in writing before any work starts. Most consumer bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee — so you know the cost up front.
You decide which attorney to hire. They guide you through the filing. CleanSlate Match is not a law firm and never your lawyer.
Honest pricing
Honest bankruptcy cost ranges
Most consumer bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee, plus the court's filing fee. Real numbers depend on the chapter, the complexity, and your district. These are typical ranges, not quotes.
Ranges are general estimates, not quotes. Court filing fees are set by the courts and can change. Some attorneys offer payment plans, and Chapter 13 attorney fees are often paid through the plan. Confirm the flat fee in writing with a licensed attorney in your area.
Plain-language guides
Plain-language bankruptcy guides
Short, honest reads on the questions people ask most — no jargon, no scare tactics.
A plain-language comparison of the two main consumer bankruptcies, when each makes sense, and how a lawyer helps you decide.
Learn more → What Debt Bankruptcy Can and Can't EraseWhich debts bankruptcy wipes out, which ones survive (like most student loans and child support), and why it matters.
Learn more → Will I Lose My House or Car in Bankruptcy?How exemptions and the two chapters affect your home and car — and why many people keep both.
Learn more → The Automatic Stay: How Bankruptcy Stops CollectionsHow filing instantly pauses garnishment, foreclosure, lawsuits, and collection calls.
Learn more → Bankruptcy and Your Credit ScoreHow long bankruptcy stays on your report, what really happens to your score, and how people rebuild credit.
Learn more → The Bankruptcy Process, Step by StepFrom credit counseling to discharge — the real timeline of a consumer bankruptcy.
Learn more →How this works honestly
How CleanSlate Match works — honestly
How we are paid
CleanSlate Match is always free for people in debt. We never charge you and we never take a share of any attorney's fee or of your debt. Participating bankruptcy attorneys pay a flat fee to take part — never a percentage, commission, or split of what you owe or what they bill you.
What we never collect
We ask only for contact details and a general sense of your situation — what kind of debt, your state, and how to reach you. We never ask for your Social Security number, bank-account or credit-card numbers, account balances, or other financial-account details.
You stay in control
You compare attorneys, you choose who to hire, and you confirm the flat fee in writing before any work starts. CleanSlate Match is not a law firm, gives no legal advice, and never promises that any debt will be erased.
A fresh start can be real
Many people look into bankruptcy after a job loss, illness, divorce, reduced hours, or simply years of trying to keep up with credit cards, medical bills, car payments, or a mortgage. Feeling overwhelmed is common. So is feeling embarrassed. But consumer bankruptcy exists because life can become unmanageable, even for responsible people.
In the United States, the two chapters most people hear about are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 may help some people erase certain unsecured debts, while Chapter 13 is a repayment plan that can help people catch up over time. Which chapter may fit depends on income, property, debts, goals, and state-specific rules. You can learn the basics at Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13.
Bankruptcy can help with many debts, but it does not erase everything. Some debts usually survive, including most student loans, recent income taxes, child support and alimony, most court fines, and debts tied to fraud. Every case is different, and bankruptcy rules vary by state and federal judicial district.
What CleanSlate Match is — and what it is not
CleanSlate Match is a free matching service. We help people across the United States, including new immigrants and non-native English speakers, understand the basics in plain language and get connected with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in their area.
We are not a law firm, not a lawyer, and we do not file bankruptcy cases. Using CleanSlate Match does not create an attorney-client relationship. Only a lawyer you choose to hire can give legal advice about your situation.
When you use our service, we ask only for contact information and general intent: your name, phone number, optional email, state, a general sense of what is happening, and your preferred language. We do not ask for a Social Security number, bank-account numbers, credit-card numbers, or other financial-account details. If you want to see the process, visit How it works or get matched.
Why people feel relief when a case is filed
One reason people talk to a bankruptcy attorney quickly is the automatic stay. In many cases, the moment a bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay pauses most collection activity. That can include wage garnishments, foreclosure actions, collection calls, lawsuits, and some bank levies.
This pause can give a household room to breathe and time to make decisions. It does not solve every problem forever, and there are exceptions, but it is one of the main protections bankruptcy law provides.
Many people are also surprised to learn that filing does not always mean losing everything. Depending on the chapter, the exemptions available in your state, and your specific facts, many people keep their home, car, and everyday belongings. A licensed bankruptcy attorney can explain what protections may apply where you live.
You stay in control of the next step
Talking to a lawyer does not force you to file. For many people, the first conversation is simply a chance to understand options, timing, likely costs, and what documents may matter. A good attorney should explain things clearly, answer questions without judgment, and tell you honestly if bankruptcy may not be the best fit.
If cost is one of your worries, it helps to know that many consumer bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee rather than billing by the hour. In many areas, Chapter 7 attorney flat fees often fall around $1,000 to $2,500, and Chapter 13 attorney flat fees are often higher, sometimes around $3,000 to $6,500 or more depending on the district and the complexity of the case. On top of attorney fees, there is also a court filing fee and a small required credit-counseling fee. These are general ranges, not quotes, and the real amount depends on the chapter, your location, and the facts of the case.
You also have the right to choose carefully. Before hiring any attorney, confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with the state bar in your area. Ask what is included in the flat fee, what court costs are extra, whether a payment plan is available, and how the lawyer thinks Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 may apply to your situation.
If you want a calm place to begin, get matched free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you.
You have options, and CleanSlate Match can help you understand the basics and get connected free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you.
Ready to take the first step toward a fresh start?
Get matched, free, with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you. Contact and general details only — you compare attorneys, choose who to hire, and confirm the flat fee before any work starts.