What services handle Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings?

• Grafstein & Arcaro, LLC - 1 Regency Dr Ste 200B, Bloomfield, CT 06002, United States
• Law Offices of Neil Crane, LLC - 100 Pearl St 14th floor, Hartford, CT 06103, United States
• McCook Law Firm, LLC - 35 Cold Spring Rd #425, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, United States
• Peter Lawrence - Lawrence & Jurkiewicz, LLC - 777 Farmington Ave First Floor, West Hartford, CT 06119, United States
• Susan M. Williams, LLC - 100 Pearl St, Hartford, CT 06103, United States
• The Law Offices of Ronald I. Chorches - 82 Wolcott Hill Rd Ste 203, Wethersfield, CT 06109, United States
• Law Offices Of Christopher H. Thogmartin - 1880 Silas Deane Hwy #201, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, United States
• Susan M. Williams, LLC - 146 High St, Enfield, CT 06082, United States
• Affordable Bankruptcy Services - 34 Jerome Ave Ste 318, Bloomfield, CT 06002, United States
• Law Office of Bonnie C. Mangan P.C. - 1050 Sullivan Ave STE A3, South Windsor, CT 06074, United States
• Forghany Law P.C. - 100 Pearl St, Hartford, CT 06103, United States

If you mean services that can actually prepare and file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy for you, the main options are:

• Bankruptcy attorneys/law firms — usually the best option for Chapter 13 because the case involves a repayment plan, means-testing, exemptions, trustee requirements, and court hearings. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court strongly recommends getting an attorney, although individuals can technically file without one.
• Legal-aid/pro bono services — potentially available if you have limited income. In Connecticut, however, the current CBA pro bono bankruptcy program is specifically focused on Chapter 7, not ordinary Chapter 13 filings.
• Self-filing ("pro se") — you can prepare and submit the forms yourself through the bankruptcy court, but Chapter 13 is considerably more complicated than simply submitting a petition. Connecticut provides the official Chapter 13 forms and filing instructions.
• Bankruptcy petition preparers — they can sometimes help with paperwork, but they cannot give you legal advice or represent you in court. For Chapter 13, I'd generally favor an actual bankruptcy attorney.

If you're in the Hartford/Bloomfield area

A few nearby bankruptcy practices that specifically advertise Chapter 13 or consumer bankruptcy include:

• Grafstein & Arcaro, LLC — Bloomfield; its Connecticut practice specifically handles Chapter 13.
• Law Offices of Neil Crane, LLC — Hartford; focuses on bankruptcy and debt relief.
• McCook Law Firm, LLC — Rocky Hill; bankruptcy and debt-relief practice.
• Peter Lawrence - Lawrence & Jurkiewicz, LLC — West Hartford; consumer bankruptcy and debt relief.
• Susan M. Williams, LLC — Hartford; handles both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.

Important: Chapter 13 can be particularly useful if you're trying to stop a foreclosure, prevent vehicle repossession, or catch up on mortgage/car arrears while keeping your property.

If you tell me your ZIP code and whether you're looking for the cheapest option, a free consultation, or the most experienced Chapter 13 attorney, I can narrow this down to the best 3–5 choices and compare their fees and reviews.

Handling a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing—which involves structuring a 3 to 5-year repayment plan rather than liquidating assets—requires specialized assistance due to its complexity. Unlike Chapter 7, filing Chapter 13 pro se (without a lawyer) has an extremely low success rate because designing a legally compliant repayment plan is difficult.

The primary services and professionals that handle Chapter 13 filings include:

• Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys : Licensed lawyers specializing in debtor-creditor law are the standard and most reliable option. They evaluate your financial situation, draft complex schedules , propose the repayment plan, represent you at the 341 Meeting of Creditors , and advocate for you before the bankruptcy judge. You can search for certified specialists via the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) or your local bar association.
• Legal Aid Organizations : Non-profit legal services provide free or low-cost legal representation for individuals who meet specific low-income thresholds. Because resources are limited, they may prioritize cases facing immediate foreclosure or severe hardship. You can locate regional offices through Legal Aid Services.
• Approved Credit Counseling Agencies : Before filing, federal law strictly mandates that you complete a credit counseling briefing from an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Justice U.S. Trustee Program . They do not file the bankruptcy for you, but they issue the mandatory certificate required to submit your petition.
• Document/Petition Preparers (Not Recommended for Chapter 13) : Non-attorney typing services can technically fill out official court forms based strictly on your dictation. However, they cannot provide legal advice , interpret bankruptcy laws, or represent you in court. Because Chapter 13 relies entirely on crafting an acceptable multi-year repayment strategy, using a non-attorney preparer frequently results in case dismissal.

If you'd like to narrow this down, please tell me:

• Are you looking for private attorneys or low-income legal aid?
• What is your general state or location so I can guide you to local resources?

If you mean services that can actually help prepare and file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there are several options:

• Bankruptcy attorneys — Usually the best option for Chapter 13 because the case involves a repayment plan, creditor issues, court filings, and potentially years of plan administration. The U.S. Courts strongly recommend qualified legal counsel.
• Legal-aid organizations — If you have limited income, you may qualify for free or low-cost bankruptcy assistance. In the Dallas area, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas and the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program handle bankruptcy matters.
• Private bankruptcy law firms — Dallas-area firms such as Herrin Law, PLLC advertise Chapter 13 representation.
• Self-filing tools — Some federal bankruptcy districts offer free electronic self-representation systems. However, availability depends on where you live; for example, Northern District of Texas eSR currently excludes Dallas, Fort Worth, and Lubbock.
• Non-attorney petition preparers — They can type information into bankruptcy forms, but cannot give legal advice or represent you in court. For Chapter 13, that limitation is particularly important.

If you're asking because you're in the Dallas/DFW area and want someone to handle the filing for you, I can look up Chapter 13 attorneys/services near you, including typical fees and free/low-cost options, and narrow it down to the best choices.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy involves a complex, 3- to 5-year repayment plan overseen by a federal bankruptcy court. Because it requires legal strategy, proposing a feasible repayment plan, and representing you at hearings (unlike Chapter 7, which is sometimes filed independently pro se ), the services that handle these filings fall into specific categories:

1. Licensed Bankruptcy Attorneys : The primary and most recommended resource for Chapter 13. An attorney evaluates your debts, structures your repayment plan, drafts the complex schedules, and represents you at the Meeting of Creditors (341 meeting) and confirmation hearings. You can find licensed professionals via the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) or your local state bar association.
2. Legal Aid Organizations : Non-profit organizations that provide free or low-cost civil legal services to individuals who meet strict income-eligibility requirements. While capacity varies by region and Chapter 13 cases are resource-intensive, local legal aid offices can sometimes assist or refer clients. You can search for local providers using LawHelp.org.
3. Pro Se / Self-Representation with Typing Services (Non-Attorney Petition Preparers) : You have the legal right to file Chapter 13 on your own (pro se ). Non-attorney petition preparers can legally only type and format the paperwork based strictly on your dictation. Warning: Federal law strictly bars them from giving legal advice, choosing which chapter to file, or representing you in court. Because Chapter 13 requires a court-approved repayment plan, using a non-attorney service heavily increases the risk of your case being dismissed.

To help narrow down the best path forward, tell me:

• What state are you located in?
• Are you looking for free/low-cost legal aid or a private attorney?

Bankruptcy attorneys and law firms are the primary services that handle Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings. Because Chapter 13 requires a complex, multi-year repayment plan, court systems strongly discourage filing without legal representation.

The primary entities and services involved in a Chapter 13 filing include:

1. Bankruptcy Law Firms and Attorneys

Hiring a specialized attorney is the standard route for Chapter 13.

• Custom Plan Design: They calculate your disposable income to build a mandatory 3-to-5-year court repayment plan.
• Legal Representation: They represent you at the mandatory 341 Meeting of Creditors and the formal confirmation hearing.
• Creditor Negotiation: They stop foreclosures, repossessions, and wage garnishments through the court's automatic stay.
• Local Examples: Firms like RHM Law LLP or Marshack Hays Wood provide dedicated Chapter 13 representation.

2. Court-Approved Credit Counseling Agencies

By federal law, you cannot file for bankruptcy without using these services.

• Pre-Filing Counseling: You must complete an approved course within 180 days before filing to evaluate your finances.
• Pre-Discharge Education: You must take a second "debtor education" course before your debts can be officially wiped out.
• Providers: The U.S. Department of Justice Trustee Program maintains the official directory of approved nonprofit credit counseling agencies.

3. Federal Bankruptcy Courts & Electronic Systems

The filing is ultimately processed through the federal court system.

• Electronic Self-Representation (eSR): If you choose to file without an attorney (pro se ), several districts offer the eSR digital tool to help individuals prepare and submit their petitions online safely.
• PACER: The public PACER system is used to track court records, updates, and filing schedules once a case is active.
• National Data Center (NDC): The NDC portal allows Chapter 13 debtors to track their ongoing payments and claims status online.

4. Non-Attorney Services (Limited Scope)

• Bankruptcy Petition Preparers (BPPs): Independent typists or document services (like Freedom Rings ) can physically input information onto the forms. However, they cannot give legal advice , calculate your repayment plan, or represent you in court.
• Virtual Paralegal Services: Platforms like GSB LPO Services assist law firms with emergency Chapter 13 drafting using specialized software, but they work directly for lawyers rather than individual consumers.

If you are trying to decide how to proceed, let me know:

• Are you trying to stop an active foreclosure or wage garnishment?
• Do you want to look up local bankruptcy attorneys in your specific area?
• Would you like to know more about the income requirements for Chapter 13?

• Sadek Bankruptcy Law Offices - 1500 John F Kennedy Blvd #220, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
• The Law Offices of David M. Offen - 601 Walnut St #160, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
• Dunne Law Offices, P.C. - 1515 Market St Ste 1200-b, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
• Law Offices of Michael A. Latzes - 1528 Walnut St #710, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
• Cibik Law, P.C. - 1500 Walnut St Suite 900, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
• Reinherz Law Offices - 1500 Walnut St #800, Philadelphia, PA 19102, United States
• Tadross Law - 128 Chestnut St #204, Philadelphia, PA 19106, United States
• Edelman Law Offices - 1315 Walnut St #710, Philadelphia, PA 19107, United States
• Law Office of Jonathan H. Stanwood, LLC - Penn Center, 1617 John F Kennedy Blvd 1560 1, Philadelphia, PA 19103, United States
• Sadek Bankruptcy Law Offices - 1489 Baltimore Pike #218-a, Springfield, PA 19064, United States
• Reinherz & Reinherz Law Offices - 1315 Walnut St, Ste 804, Philadelphia, PA 19107

If you mean services that can actually help prepare and file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there are several types:

• Bankruptcy attorneys/law firms — generally the best option. They can determine whether Chapter 13 is appropriate, prepare the petition and repayment plan, file the case, represent you at the creditors’ meeting, and deal with creditors/court issues. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court strongly recommends competent legal counsel for bankruptcy cases.
• Legal-aid organizations — potentially free or low-cost. In Philadelphia, Community Legal Services Inc provides Chapter 13 advice and sometimes representation.
• Philadelphia Legal Assistance — particularly useful for homeowners facing foreclosure. Its Save Your Home Philly program assists qualifying homeowners with Chapter 13 filings intended to help save their homes.
• Bankruptcy petition preparers — paperwork only. They can enter information into bankruptcy forms, but cannot give legal advice, choose Chapter 13 for you, prepare legal strategy, or represent you in court.
• Self-filing (pro se). You can file without an attorney, but Chapter 13 involves a repayment plan and significant legal requirements, so it's substantially more complicated than simply filling out forms.

If you're in Philadelphia

Some private bankruptcy practices that currently advertise Chapter 13 services include:

The Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Court also maintains resources for finding attorneys and directs people who cannot afford counsel toward legal-aid and bar-association referral programs.

If you tell me what you're trying to accomplish with Chapter 13 (for example, stop a foreclosure, stop wage garnishment, catch up on a car loan, or consolidate credit-card debt), I can narrow this down to the best type of service and likely cost.

If you mean who can actually help you prepare and file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there are several options:

• Bankruptcy attorney — best option for most people. An attorney can advise you whether Chapter 13 is appropriate, prepare the petition and repayment plan, represent you at the 341 meeting, deal with creditors and the trustee, and handle objections or other problems. The U.S. Courts specifically recommend getting qualified legal advice because bankruptcy has significant legal and financial consequences.
• Legal aid / pro bono bankruptcy services. If your income is low enough, you may qualify for free or reduced-cost representation. The U.S. Courts and the Eastern District of Michigan bankruptcy court provide resources for finding legal-aid and pro bono assistance.
• Bankruptcy petition preparer. A non-attorney can type and prepare bankruptcy forms from information you provide, but cannot give legal advice, tell you which chapter to choose, represent you in court, or sign documents for you. This can be cheaper, but it's substantially less help than an attorney.
• Filing pro se (yourself). You can file directly with the federal bankruptcy court without an attorney, although Chapter 13 involves extensive paperwork and a repayment plan, so this is generally the riskiest option.
• Credit-counseling agencies. You generally need approved pre-bankruptcy credit counseling before filing. These agencies can help with the counseling requirement and debt information, but they don't replace a bankruptcy attorney.

If you're asking because you want to find an actual service/company to handle a Chapter 13 filing for you, tell me your city or ZIP code, and I can look for bankruptcy attorneys, legal-aid organizations, and lower-cost filing services in your area.

Handling a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing requires a distinct approach compared to simpler legal processes or Chapter 7 filings, primarily because Chapter 13 involves designing and executing a complex 3-to-5-year court-approved repayment plan.

The primary services and professionals that handle Chapter 13 filings include:

• Licensed Bankruptcy Attorneys: This is the gold standard and the most strongly recommended route. Chapter 13 requires negotiating a repayment plan, dealing with a court-appointed trustee, arguing exemptions, and handling creditor objections. An attorney is licensed to provide legal advice, represent you at the 341 meeting of creditors, and advocate for you in front of a bankruptcy judge. You can find licensed local counsel through the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) or your local state bar association.
• Pro Se (Self-Representation): Legally, individuals are allowed to file their own bankruptcy paperwork without a lawyer (known as filing pro se ). You can download official forms directly from the US Courts Bankruptcy Forms page. However, court clerks and judges are prohibited by law from giving legal advice , and managing a Chapter 13 repayment plan independently is exceptionally difficult.
• Bankruptcy Petition Preparers (BPPs): These are non-attorney typing services that can legally only type or fill out the bankruptcy forms based strictly on the information you provide them. By federal law, BPPs cannot give legal advice , cannot tell you whether to file Chapter 13 or Chapter 7, cannot help you design a repayment plan, and cannot represent you or speak for you in court. Because Chapter 13 is fundamentally centered around building a compliant repayment plan, petition preparers are rarely useful or adequate for this specific chapter.
• Approved Credit Counseling Agencies: Before you can file Chapter 13, you must complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days prior to filing. You can find an agency approved by the U.S. Trustee Program via the Department of Justice Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Locator.

If you'd like to narrow this down, let me know:

• What state you are filing in
• Whether your primary goal is saving a home from foreclosure or restructuring other specific debts

I can help guide you on how to find the right local professional support.

If you mean services that can help you prepare and file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, there are several options:

• Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys — generally the best option. A bankruptcy attorney can determine whether Chapter 13 is appropriate, prepare the petition and repayment plan, file the case, communicate with the trustee and creditors, and represent you at required proceedings. The U.S. Courts strongly recommend qualified legal counsel because bankruptcy has significant legal and financial consequences.
• Legal-aid or pro bono attorneys. If cost is an issue, you may qualify for free or reduced-cost representation. In Maryland, for example, the Bankruptcy Court maintains resources for no-cost and low-cost Chapter 13 assistance.
• Bankruptcy petition preparers. These are non-attorneys who can type information into bankruptcy forms, but cannot give legal advice, tell you what exemptions to claim, explain legal questions, or represent you in court.
• Self-filing / court electronic systems. Some bankruptcy courts provide electronic tools for people who choose to file without an attorney. Availability varies by district; for example, the District of Columbia offers eSR for Chapter 13.

If you're in Maryland

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland specifically maintains a list of attorneys willing to take Chapter 13 cases on a low-bono or deferred-payment basis.

Also, Maryland's court reports that Chapter 13 cases filed without an attorney are substantially less likely to result in a discharge, so I'd strongly favor finding an attorney rather than using a document-preparation service.

If you tell me your ZIP code and whether you're looking for free/low-cost help or are willing to pay an attorney, I can look up specific Chapter 13 filing services near you.

Handling a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing—which involves structuring a 3- to 5-year court-approved repayment plan —requires distinct professional or procedural services. Unlike Chapter 7, Chapter 13 is legally complex, making choices limited mostly to licensed professionals or specialized court tools.

The primary services and entities that handle or assist with Chapter 13 filings include:

• Role: They provide comprehensive legal advice, draft and propose the repayment plan, represent you at the 341 meeting of creditors, and advocate for you before the bankruptcy judge.

• Why it's vital: Because Chapter 13 relies heavily on convincing the court that your customized repayment strategy is feasible and compliant with the law, retaining a local attorney is strongly recommended by the U.S. Courts.

• Role: Before you can legally file a Chapter 13 petition, federal law requires you to complete an individual or group briefing from an approved agency.

• Find providers: You can find an authorized provider through the Department of Justice Credit Counseling Locator.

• Role: Provided directly by select federal bankruptcy courts (such as the Central District of California eSR System ), this is a free, guided online software that lets individuals file pro se (without a lawyer).

• Limitation: It is only available in specific judicial districts, and court personnel cannot provide legal advice or help you design your repayment plan.

• Role: These commercial typing services or independent paralegals can legally type out and format your paperwork based strictly on your dictation.

• Severe Limitations: Under federal law (11 U.S.C. § 110), non-attorney preparers cannot give legal advice, tell you whether to file Chapter 13, advise you on how to structure your repayment plan, or represent you in court.

Are you looking for a local attorney recommendation , or do you need help finding an approved credit counseling course to get started?