CleanSlate Match
How we've helped
These are simple, anonymized examples of how people have used CleanSlate Match to find a licensed bankruptcy attorney near them. They are not promises, reviews, or guarantees—just real-life situations, with names and details changed.
How a couple buried in hospital bills used CleanSlate Match to find a Chapter 7 attorney and get a fresh start.
Open → A homeowner stops foreclosure with Chapter 13How someone behind on a mortgage filed Chapter 13 to catch up and keep their home.
Open → A worker stops wage garnishment in daysHow a single parent halted a garnishment and protected their paycheck after getting matched with a lawyer.
Open → A new arrival gets help in their own languageHow someone new to the US found a bilingual bankruptcy attorney to deal with overwhelming credit-card debt.
Open →What this page is—and what it is not
CleanSlate Match is a free matching service. We are not a law firm, not a lawyer, and we do not file bankruptcy cases or create an attorney-client relationship.
We help people connect with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in their area for a consultation. What happens next depends on the person, the facts of the case, and the law where they live. Bankruptcy rules, exemptions, and local procedures vary by state and federal district.
The examples below are anonymized and simplified. They are here to help you understand what kinds of problems lead people to ask about Chapter 7, Chapter 13, the means test, or other debt-relief options. They are not legal, tax, or financial advice.
Example: Credit cards and medical bills kept growing
One person came to us after months of trying to keep up with credit cards, medical bills, and late fees. They were working, but the minimum payments were swallowing most of each paycheck. They felt embarrassed and had delayed asking for help.
After getting matched through CleanSlate Match, they spoke with a licensed bankruptcy attorney who explained their options in plain language. The attorney reviewed whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 might fit better, what debts might be dischargeable, and which debts might still remain.
In many cases, unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills may be treated differently from debts such as child support, alimony, most student loans, recent income taxes, most court fines, and debts tied to fraud. No one should assume all debt will go away. The right answer depends on the full facts.
Example: Wage garnishment and collection pressure
Another person reached out after a lawsuit led to a wage garnishment. They were afraid they would not be able to pay rent and utilities. English was not their first language, so they wanted someone patient who could explain the process clearly.
They used how it works to understand the matching process, then asked to be connected with a local attorney. In many situations, if a bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay pauses most collection activity right away, including many garnishments, lawsuits, and foreclosure actions. But timing and exceptions matter, and only an attorney can evaluate a specific case.
For this person, just having a clear explanation lowered the panic. They learned what documents an attorney might later ask for, what bankruptcy can and cannot do, and what other options might exist if filing was not the best fit.
Example: Behind on a mortgage or car payment
Some people come to CleanSlate Match because they are behind on a mortgage, worried about foreclosure, or trying to keep a car they need for work. A licensed bankruptcy attorney can explain when Chapter 13 may help someone catch up over time through a repayment plan, and when Chapter 7 may or may not make sense.
Many people are surprised to learn that filing bankruptcy does not always mean losing everything. Some people keep their home or car, depending on exemptions, loan status, arrears, equity, and whether a Chapter 13 plan is workable. These rules vary by state and district, so the details really matter.
If you want a simple overview first, learn about the chapters. Then speak with a licensed attorney in your area about your actual facts before making decisions.
What people often want to know before they reach out
A lot of people ask about cost first. In many areas, 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. Very general ranges people may hear are roughly $1,000 to $2,500 or more in attorney flat fees for many Chapter 7 cases, and roughly $3,000 to $6,500 or more for many Chapter 13 cases, depending on the district, the attorney, and how complex the case is. Court filing fees are separate and often a few hundred dollars. These are not quotes or promises.
The real price depends on where you live, whether the case involves a business, home, car arrears, lawsuits, tax issues, many creditors, prior filings, or other complications. A local attorney can tell you the actual fee structure for your case.
When you contact CleanSlate Match, we only ask for contact details and general intent—such as your name, phone, optional email, state, preferred language, and a broad description of what is going on. We do not ask for a Social Security number, bank account numbers, credit-card numbers, or detailed account balances.
What help through CleanSlate Match can look like
For many people, the first relief is simply talking to someone who understands that debt problems can happen after illness, divorce, job loss, immigration stress, family emergencies, or rising costs. Shame keeps many people silent for too long.
If you feel overwhelmed, you can get matched for free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you. We encourage you to ask questions, understand all costs before hiring anyone, and confirm the attorney's state bar license.
You deserve clear information, not pressure. Bankruptcy can be a useful tool for some people, but it is not a magic eraser and it is not right for every situation. A local licensed attorney can explain your options honestly.
If debt has you scared, CleanSlate Match can help you find a licensed bankruptcy attorney for free so you can get clear answers and decide your next step with dignity.
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.