California Bankruptcy Attorneys
Find qualified bankruptcy attorneys in California. 63,245 bankruptcy cases filed in FY2024. Compare Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 lawyers near you.
Top Bankruptcy Attorneys in California
5414 listed
Brent D. George
Brent D. George
Brent D. George is a dedicated bankruptcy attorney based in Thousand Oaks, California, where he focuses his practice on helping individuals and businesses navigate complex financial challenges. He provides comprehensive legal services in bankruptcy and debt matters, guiding clients through the process of achieving financial relief and a fresh start.
Dutch Meyer
Dutch Meyer
Dutch Meyer, located in Monterey, California, focuses his practice on bankruptcy and debt relief. He assists individuals and businesses navigating complex financial challenges. Meyer is dedicated to helping clients achieve a fresh financial start through strategic legal solutions.
Frederick Hoon Jung
Frederick Hoon Jung
Frederick Hoon Jung, located in Huntington Beach, California, focuses his practice on bankruptcy and debt matters. He assists individuals and businesses in navigating complex financial challenges. Frederick is dedicated to helping clients achieve financial relief and a fresh start.
Emmanuel F. Fobi,esq
Law office of Emmanuel F. Fobi
David A. Boone
Law Offices of David A. Boone
David A. Boone is the founder of the Law Offices of David A. Boone in San Francisco, California, where he focuses his practice exclusively on bankruptcy law. He represents individuals and businesses in Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings. Mr. Boone is dedicated to guiding his clients through complex financial challenges and helping them achieve a fresh start.
Robert F Lawrence
Robert F Lawrence
Robert F. Lawrence, with his firm in Washington, California, is dedicated to guiding individuals and businesses through complex bankruptcy and debt matters. He focuses on providing clear, strategic legal counsel to clients facing financial challenges. Lawrence helps clients navigate the legal process to achieve lasting financial relief and a fresh start.
Sarah Marie Stuppi
Sarah Marie Stuppi
Sarah Marie Stuppi, located in Walnut Creek, California, focuses her practice on bankruptcy and debt relief matters. She assists individuals and businesses in navigating complex financial challenges, offering guidance through various bankruptcy proceedings. Ms. Stuppi is dedicated to helping her clients achieve a fresh financial start and secure their economic future.
Michael J. Fletcher
Michael J. Fletcher has handled 1 federal bankruptcy case in federal court.
Jesse S. Finlayson
Jesse S. Finlayson has handled 1 federal bankruptcy case in federal court.
Daryoush Shahrouzi
Daryoush Shahrouzi has handled 1 federal bankruptcy case in federal court.
Neil J. Verbrugge
Neil J. Verbrugge has handled 1 federal bankruptcy case in federal court.
Elvina Rofael
Elvina Rofael has handled 1 federal bankruptcy case in federal court.
California Bankruptcy Filing Statistics
Filings by Chapter Type (2024)
Source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 12-month period ending December 2024. uscourts.gov
Browse California by City
335 citiesShow all 335 cities in California
Federal Bankruptcy Courts in California
Northern District of California
Source: U.S. Courts — uscourts.gov
Bankruptcy Law in California: What You Need to Know
California Bankruptcy Court and Filing Resources
California bankruptcy cases are handled in four federal bankruptcy court districts: Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern. The district and divisional office depend on where a person lives, so confirm the appropriate court before filing. Court staff may provide procedural information but cannot give legal advice.
Official California bankruptcy court resources by district
- Northern District of California Bankruptcy Court. Check the court's official site for the current division, forms, and filing procedures that apply to the county of residence.
- Eastern District of California: debtor resources. The court provides Electronic Self-Representation, an online debtor dropbox, in-person and mail filing options, individual petition packages, and court-location information.
- Central District of California: self-represented filer resources, Electronic Self-Representation, and filing-fee information. The court explains the official time of filing, pre-filing credit counseling, and its electronic drop box for documents that do not require a fee.
- Southern District of California: pro se filing guidance, court forms, and filing-fee information. The court describes credit counseling, creditor-list requirements, payment options, fee-relief procedures, and eSR for eligible individuals.
The Central and Southern District fee pages currently list a $338 Chapter 7 petition fee and a $313 Chapter 13 petition fee, subject to each court's current schedule and eligibility rules. Individuals considering self-representation should also review the federal U.S. Courts guidance on filing without an attorney.
These resources provide procedural information, not legal advice. A qualified California bankruptcy attorney can explain how the relevant federal district process and California law may apply to an individual's income, debts, property, and goals.
Filing Tips for California
- Carefully choose between California's two exemption systems (CCP 704 or CCP 703) based on your assets
- especially home equity
- as this choice is critical and cannot be changed.
- Complete the mandatory credit counseling course from an approved provider within 180 days before filing your petition.
- Gather all financial documents meticulously
- including two years of tax returns
- six months of pay stubs
- bank statements
- and a comprehensive list of debts and assets
- to ensure accuracy in your filing.
- Be aware of California's community property laws
- as all community property becomes part of the bankruptcy estate
- even if only one spouse files.
- Consult with an experienced California bankruptcy attorney to navigate the complexities of state-specific exemptions
- means test calculations
- and local court procedures.
- Identify your correct federal bankruptcy district (Central
- Eastern
- Northern
- or Southern) based on your county of residence to ensure your petition is filed in the proper court.
- Understand that certain debts
- such as most student loans
- recent tax debts
- and child or spousal support
- are generally not dischargeable in bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy FAQ for California
Common questions about filing for bankruptcy in California, including costs, eligibility, exemptions, and timelines.
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Economic Context
Above AvgCalifornia has an above-average unemployment rate.
Household Financial Profile · ACS 2023
$96k
Median household income
$80k
Per capita income
$659k
Median home value
55.3%
Homeownership rate
12.0%
Poverty rate
63%
of filers chose Ch. 7
Means test note: The Chapter 7 means test compares your income to California's median household income of $96k. If your household income is below this threshold, you likely qualify for Chapter 7 without further calculation.