Legal disclaimer

What this site is — and what it is not

CleanSlate Match helps connect people in the United States with licensed bankruptcy attorneys in their area. Our service is free for the person looking for help.

We are not a law firm, we do not file bankruptcy cases, and we do not give legal, tax, or financial advice. Using this site, reading our content, or asking to be matched does not create an attorney-client relationship.

The information on this site is meant to help you understand common consumer bankruptcy topics, such as Chapter 7, Chapter 13, the means test, wage garnishment, foreclosure, and debt relief options. It is general information only.

Why the information here has limits

Bankruptcy law is federal, but many important rules vary by state and by judicial district. Exemptions, local filing practices, trustee expectations, and how certain issues are handled can be different depending on where you live.

Laws and court procedures can also change over time. That means information on this site may not fully fit your exact situation, even if it is accurate in general.

For that reason, you should speak with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your area before making decisions. You can get matched for free, and you should also confirm any attorney's active bar license before hiring them.

No guarantee about results or debt relief

Nothing on this site is a guarantee that bankruptcy will erase your debts, stop every collection problem, or produce any specific outcome. Every case depends on the facts, the type of debt, the chapter filed, the property involved, and the rules in the state and district.

Bankruptcy can help many people, and the automatic stay usually stops most collection calls, lawsuits, garnishments, and foreclosure actions as soon as a case is filed. But bankruptcy has limits, and some debts usually survive.

Debts that often are not discharged include most student loans, recent income taxes, child support and alimony, most court fines, and debts caused by fraud. A licensed attorney can explain what may or may not be dischargeable in your case.

• No promise of debt elimination
• No guarantee a case will be filed, accepted, or successful
• Outcomes depend on the individual facts and local rules

What costs may look like

If you decide to hire a bankruptcy attorney, many consumer bankruptcy lawyers charge a flat fee for their legal work, plus the court's 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 ranges, not quotes.

In many areas, Chapter 7 attorney flat fees often fall around $1,000 to $2,500, while Chapter 13 attorney flat fees are often higher, sometimes around $3,000 to $6,000 or more depending on local rules and complexity. Court filing fees are separate and are commonly a few hundred dollars. The required credit-counseling and debtor-education courses usually add a small extra cost.

A quote from a licensed local attorney is the best way to understand the likely cost in your case. CleanSlate Match does not set legal fees, does not quote fees for attorneys, and does not promise any price or timeline.

What information we ask for

To help with a match, we ask for basic contact information and general intent only. This may include your name, phone number, optional email, state, preferred language, and a simple description of your situation.

We do not ask you to send highly sensitive financial account details through this service. That means we do not ask for a Social Security number, bank-account numbers, credit-card numbers, or similar account access information to get matched.

To learn more about how information is handled, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms.

Before you hire an attorney

A lawyer consultation is your chance to ask careful questions and make sure you understand your options. You do not need to feel embarrassed. Debt problems happen for many reasons, including illness, job loss, divorce, family emergencies, and rising costs.

Before hiring anyone, confirm that the attorney is licensed in your state and ask what services are included, what the flat fee covers, what court and course fees are separate, and whether your case may involve extra costs. Make sure you understand what bankruptcy can and cannot do in your situation.

If you want help taking the next step, you can get matched for free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you.