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CleanSlate Match

CleanSlate Match

Contact CleanSlate Match

Have a general question about CleanSlate Match? We’re a free bankruptcy lawyer matching service, not a law firm, and we’re here to help you understand the next step in a calm, clear way.

How to reach us

You can contact CleanSlate Match with general questions about how our free matching service works, what information we ask for, and how to get connected with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you.

If you want help getting started, the simplest step is to use Get Matched. You can also learn more about who we are on our About page or read general educational information in our Guides.

We know debt stress can feel heavy and personal. We will speak plainly and respectfully. If English is not your first language, you can tell us your preferred language when you reach out.

What we can help with

CleanSlate Match can explain, in general terms, how attorney matching works and help connect you with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your area. That may be helpful if you are worried about credit card debt, medical bills, lawsuits, wage garnishment, foreclosure, or whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 might be worth discussing.

We can also explain the kind of basic information we ask for to make a match: your name, phone number, optional email, state, preferred language, and a general sense of your situation.

We do not need, and do not ask for, highly sensitive financial details like a Social Security number, bank-account numbers, credit-card numbers, account balances, or exact income figures just to help you get matched.

What we cannot do

CleanSlate Match is not a law firm, not a lawyer, and does not file bankruptcy cases. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

We cannot give legal, tax, or financial advice. We also cannot tell you which chapter you should file, whether you will pass the means test, which debts will be discharged, or what will happen in your exact case. Bankruptcy rules, exemptions, local practice, and procedures vary by state and judicial district and can change over time.

Only a licensed bankruptcy attorney who reviews your full situation can advise you about your options. If you decide to hire a lawyer, it is wise to confirm that lawyer’s active bar license in your state.

A few honest things about bankruptcy

Bankruptcy can be a real fresh-start tool for some people, but it is not a promise that every debt goes away. Some debts usually survive bankruptcy, including most student loans, recent income taxes, child support and alimony, most court fines, and debts tied to fraud. Outcomes depend on the facts of the case.

There is also important good news: when a bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay usually stops most collection efforts right away. That can pause many garnishments, lawsuits, foreclosures, and collection calls while the case moves forward.

Many people also keep important property, including a home or car, depending on the chapter they file, the exemptions available in their state, and whether they can stay current or use a Chapter 13 repayment plan. A local attorney can explain what may apply where you live.

What bankruptcy lawyers often charge

If cost is part of your question, here is the honest general picture: many consumer bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee for a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case, plus the court filing fee and a small required credit-counseling fee. The real amount depends on the chapter, the complexity of the case, and the district. These are general ranges, not quotes.

For many Chapter 7 cases, attorney flat fees are often around $1,000 to $2,500, plus the court filing fee and a small course fee. For many Chapter 13 cases, attorney fees are often higher, sometimes roughly $3,000 to $6,000 or more, plus the court filing fee and course fees. In some places, part of a Chapter 13 attorney fee may be paid through the plan, but local rules differ.

Fees can go up if a case involves a business, many assets, prior filings, lawsuits, tax issues, nonexempt property, or questions about income, transfers, or creditor disputes. A lawyer in your area can tell you what is typical there. CleanSlate Match itself is always free to the person seeking help.

  • General ranges only — not a quote or promise
  • Most consumer bankruptcy attorneys use a flat-fee model
  • Court filing fees and small required course fees are separate

Ready to take the next step?

If you want, you can get matched for free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you. We try to make that first step feel simpler, especially when you are overwhelmed and do not know where to begin.

Before you share anything, remember: only send contact information and a general description of what is going on. Do not send a Social Security number, bank or card numbers, or detailed account records through a contact form.

You deserve clear information and respectful help. If you are ready, we encourage you to speak with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your area and ask direct questions about cost, timing, risks, and what bankruptcy can and cannot do in your case.

In plain English

If you have general questions, contact us anytime, and if you are ready, we can match you for free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you.

Common questions

Can you tell me if I should file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?

No. We are not a law firm and cannot give legal advice. A licensed bankruptcy attorney can review your income, property, debts, and state-specific rules to explain your options.

Is CleanSlate Match free for me?

Yes. Our matching service is free for the person looking for help. If you hire an attorney, that attorney’s fees and court costs are separate.

Will bankruptcy erase all of my debt?

Not always. Some debts usually survive, including most student loans, recent income taxes, child support, alimony, most court fines, and debts from fraud. A lawyer can explain what may happen in your specific case.

What information should I send when I contact you?

Just basic contact details and a general description of your situation, such as your name, phone number, optional email, state, and preferred language. Please do not send a Social Security number, bank-account numbers, credit-card numbers, or detailed financial account information.

Can bankruptcy stop a garnishment or foreclosure?

When a bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay usually stops many collection actions, including most garnishments, lawsuits, and foreclosures, at least for a time. How that works in your case depends on the facts and local rules, so speak with a licensed attorney quickly if time is short.

CleanSlate Match is a free matching service, not a law firm, not a lawyer, and not a substitute for legal advice. It does not file bankruptcy, give legal, tax, or financial advice, or create an attorney-client relationship. The information here is general and educational and may not reflect the current law in your state or judicial district. Bankruptcy rules — including Chapter 7, Chapter 13, the means test, and exemptions — vary by state and district and change over time. Bankruptcy will not erase every debt, and outcomes depend on your individual case; nothing here is a promise that any debt will be eliminated. Always hire a licensed bankruptcy attorney, confirm the bar license yourself, and confirm the flat fee in writing before any work starts. CleanSlate Match never charges people for matching and never takes a share of any attorney's fee or of your debt; participating attorneys pay a flat fee to take part. Costs are typical ranges only, not quotes; confirm all details directly with a licensed attorney in your area.

Feeling buried in debt?

Get matched, free, with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you. You compare attorneys and choose who to hire — and you confirm the flat fee before any work starts.