Terms of use

What CleanSlate Match is

CleanSlate Match is a free matching service for people in the United States who want help finding a licensed bankruptcy attorney near them. We try to make the first step simpler, especially for people who feel overwhelmed by debt or are more comfortable in a language other than English.

We are not a law firm, not a lawyer, and not your lawyer. Using this site, filling out a form, calling, texting, or emailing us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

We provide general educational information only. Bankruptcy law, exemptions, local procedures, and court practices vary by state and judicial district and can change over time. For advice about your own situation, speak with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your area.

Using this site

By using CleanSlate Match, you agree to use the site lawfully and in a respectful way. Please give accurate basic contact information so we can try to connect you with a participating attorney.

Our service is free to the person seeking help. If we are able to match you, the attorney you speak with is independent from CleanSlate Match and is responsible for their own legal services, fees, advice, and communications.

You are responsible for deciding whether to hire any attorney. We encourage you to confirm that the lawyer is licensed in your state and in good standing with the state bar before you hire them.

What we collect — and what we do not

We collect contact information and general intent only, such as your name, phone number, optional email, state, preferred language, and a general description of the problem. This helps us understand whether you want to speak with a bankruptcy attorney.

Please do not send Social Security numbers, bank-account numbers, credit-card numbers, account balances, income figures, tax returns, or other financial-account details through this site. CleanSlate Match does not need that information to try to make a match.

For more about how information is handled, please read our Privacy Policy and Disclaimer.

• We ask for basic contact details and a general sense of your situation
• We do not ask for SSNs or bank or credit-card account numbers
• You choose whether to share more details later with a lawyer

No promises about bankruptcy results, cost, or timing

Bankruptcy can be a real source of relief for some people, but it is not a promise of debt elimination. Some debts usually survive bankruptcy, including most student loans, recent income taxes, child support and alimony, most court fines, and debts tied to fraud. Whether a debt can be discharged depends on the facts of the case and the law where the case is filed.

A filed bankruptcy case can create an automatic stay that pauses many collection actions, including most garnishments, foreclosure actions, and lawsuits. But whether that protection applies, how long it lasts, and what property a person may keep all depend on the chapter filed, the facts, and the law in that state and district.

We do not guarantee that you will qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, pass the means test, keep any property, stop any collection permanently, receive any discharge, or be matched with a specific attorney. We also do not guarantee a timeline for consultation, filing, court approval, or results.

Attorney fees and court costs

Many consumer bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee for their legal work, plus the court filing fee and a small required credit-counseling fee. These amounts vary by chapter, complexity, and district, and any range discussed on this site is general information only, not a quote.

In many areas, Chapter 7 attorney flat fees often range roughly from about $1,000 to $2,500, while Chapter 13 attorney fees are often higher and may range roughly from about $3,000 to $6,000 or more. Court filing fees are set by the bankruptcy courts and can change, but are often around a few hundred dollars. A required credit-counseling course is usually a small additional cost.

The real price depends on things like where you live, whether you own a home, whether there are lawsuits or business issues, how many creditors are involved, and how complicated the paperwork is. CleanSlate Match does not set attorney fees and cannot promise any price, payment plan, or outcome.

Third-party attorneys, site limits, and contacting us

Any lawyer you may speak with through CleanSlate Match is an independent professional, not our employee or partner in a law practice. We do not control the attorney’s advice, availability, strategy, or representation. If you hire a lawyer, your agreement is with that lawyer or their firm, not with CleanSlate Match.

We try to keep information on this site useful and current, but we do not promise that every page is complete, up to date, or correct for your location. This site is offered on an "as is" basis to the extent allowed by law.

If you have questions about these terms or need help using the site, please contact us. If you want legal advice about debt, bankruptcy, foreclosure, a lawsuit, or wage garnishment, the safest next step is to speak with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your area.