Free bankruptcy guides

What these free guides are for

When debt is piling up, it can be hard to know where to begin. A simple checklist or worksheet can help you gather your thoughts, find your documents, and understand the questions a bankruptcy attorney may ask.

Our free guides are meant to help you prepare, not to replace legal advice. Bankruptcy rules, exemptions, and local court practices vary by state and judicial district, and they can change over time. What applies in one place may not apply in another.

CleanSlate Match is a free matching service, not a law firm and not your lawyer. We do not file bankruptcy cases or create an attorney-client relationship. We help connect people with a licensed bankruptcy attorney in their area for legal advice about their own situation.

Tools you can use now

If you want a practical place to start, our bankruptcy document checklist can help you see what papers people often gather before a first consultation. That may include bills, court papers, pay information, tax returns, and a list of basic monthly expenses.

You can also browse more plain-language guides to learn how Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 generally work, what the automatic stay does, and what questions to ask in a first meeting.

These tools are educational. They do not tell you whether you qualify for Chapter 7, whether Chapter 13 is better for you, or whether any debt will be discharged. A licensed bankruptcy attorney can review the full facts and explain your options under the law where you live.

What bankruptcy may and may not do

For many people, bankruptcy can bring real relief. Once a case is filed, the automatic stay usually stops most collection calls, wage garnishments, lawsuits, and foreclosure actions right away. Many people are also able to keep a home or car through exemptions or, in some cases, through a Chapter 13 repayment plan.

But bankruptcy does not erase every debt in every case. Some debts usually survive, including most student loans, recent income taxes, child support, alimony, most court fines, and debts tied to fraud. Outcomes depend on the facts of the case, the chapter filed, and the law in your state and district.

That is why it is important to get legal advice from a licensed bankruptcy attorney before you decide what to do. A worksheet can help you prepare for that conversation, but it cannot promise a result.

What it may cost to file

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 total depends on the chapter, how complex the case is, and the court district. These are general ranges, not quotes.

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 $6,000 or more. Court filing fees are separate and are set by the court. Costs can be higher if there is a home in foreclosure, a business, nonexempt property, many creditors, or disputes in the case.

A local licensed attorney can tell you what the likely fees are in your area and whether payment plans may be available. CleanSlate Match is free for the person seeking help. Participating attorneys pay a flat fee to take part, but using our service never costs you anything.

How to use these guides safely

You do not need to share sensitive financial account details just to get started. CleanSlate Match only asks for contact information and general intent, such as your name, phone number, optional email, state, preferred language, and a general sense of your situation.

We do not ask for a Social Security number, bank-account numbers, credit-card numbers, or other financial-account details. Keep those private unless and until you are working directly with a licensed attorney or that attorney's office through secure channels.

If you decide to hire a lawyer, ask for the attorney's full name and confirm the lawyer's active license with the state bar or licensing authority. That extra step can help you feel more confident that you are speaking with the right professional.

If you are ready, you can get matched for free with a licensed bankruptcy attorney near you.