Drowning in Debt in Las Vegas?
Las Vegas filings run through the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada at the Foley Federal Building downtown. Nevada's homestead exemption — $605,000 in 2026 — is among the most generous in the country, which makes Chapter 7 unusually homeowner-friendly. The right Las Vegas firm will know the local trustees, the means-test mechanics, and how to structure the filing to maximize what you keep.
We've shortlisted 10 Las Vegas bankruptcy firms with significant District of Nevada filings, sustained Better Business Bureau records, and the experience to handle Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and foreclosure-defense matters. Most charge flat fees with payment plans, and several offer $0-down Chapter 13 options. Initial consultations are free.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo, AAML, AILA), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure defense
Led by George Haines (NV Bar No. 9411). Thousands of Nevadans helped lower or erase debt. Strong creditor-harassment-stop and asset-protection practice.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
Multi-attorney Las Vegas firm handling both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 with comprehensive intake — they walk through whether bankruptcy is your best option before recommending one.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, debt defense
50+ years of collective experience. Comprehensive case evaluation at the initial consultation, and substantial District of Nevada filing volume.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
Strong communication-focused practice with affordable payment plans. Free consultations and personalized service for Las Vegas debtors.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Chapter 11
Attorney Seth Ballstaedt has handled thousands of bankruptcy cases under Chapters 7, 13, and 11. One of few Las Vegas boutiques regularly filing small-business Chapter 11s.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 — consumer focus
50+ years of combined experience. Personalized support and comprehensive consumer-bankruptcy practice in the District of Nevada.
Practice focus: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 — $0-down options
$0-down Chapter 13 filings for qualifying clients. High-volume practice with strong emergency-stay capability for foreclosure-imminent cases.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Long-tenured Henderson/Las Vegas consumer-bankruptcy boutique. Predictable flat-fee structure and strong client-communication practice.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, family bankruptcy crossover
Multi-practice Las Vegas firm with bankruptcy and family-law sides — useful when the bankruptcy and divorce intersect (a common pattern). Substantial District of Nevada volume.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure defense
Henderson-based Nevada bankruptcy boutique with strong foreclosure-defense practice. Notable for Chapter 13 lien-strip motions on underwater second mortgages.
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A typical Las Vegas Chapter 7 case takes 3 to 5 months from filing to discharge. Chapter 13 plans run 36 to 60 months. Your attorney prepares schedules, runs the means test, files the petition (which triggers the automatic stay halting collections), represents you at the 341 meeting of creditors, and shepherds the case to discharge. Most consumer cases never see a courtroom — the meeting of creditors is held at the U.S. Trustee's office or remotely.
Las Vegas Chapter 7 attorney fees typically run $1,200–$2,800 plus the $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 fees run $3,500–$5,500 with most paid through the plan; several Las Vegas firms offer $0-down Chapter 13 filings. Business bankruptcy and Chapter 11 are billed hourly at $400–$600+. Beware unusually low fees — they often signal a high-volume mill that won't return your calls. Get the fee structure in writing.
Nevada exemptions — homeowner-friendly. Nevada's homestead exemption is $605,000 for 2026 — among the most generous in the United States. Personal-property exemptions cover one motor vehicle up to $15,000, household goods, tools of trade up to $10,000, and ERISA-qualified retirement accounts. Many Las Vegas debtors file Chapter 7 and lose nothing.
Means test and median income. Nevada's median household income is updated quarterly by the U.S. Trustee Program. Below-median filers qualify for Chapter 7 automatically; above-median filers must pass an expense-based calculation.
District of Nevada — Foley Federal Building. Las Vegas filings are docketed in the District of Nevada (300 Las Vegas Blvd S, Downtown Las Vegas). Local trustees handle hundreds of consumer cases each. A firm with sustained Las Vegas filings will know each trustee's documentation and 341-meeting style.
Don't drain a 401(k) to pay debt before filing. Nevada — like federal law — exempts ERISA-qualified retirement accounts. Liquidating retirement to pay credit cards before filing is one of the most expensive mistakes consumers make. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney first.
The legal directories you find on Google list thousands of Las Vegas bankruptcy firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior attorney at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar-association recognition. “We've helped thousands of clients” is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate Las Vegas lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what is covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Most Las Vegas firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
Most Las Vegas Chapter 7 cases discharge 90 to 120 days from filing. The meeting of creditors is typically held 30 to 45 days after the petition; if no objections are filed within 60 days, discharge follows automatically.
Probably not, given Nevada's $605,000 homestead exemption (one of the highest in the U.S.). As long as your home equity is within the exemption, you keep the home through Chapter 7 if you stay current on the mortgage.
Usually not. Nevada's vehicle exemption protects one car up to $15,000. If the loan is current and you reaffirm or redeem, you keep the car.
Court filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees vary — see the cost section above. Some Las Vegas firms file Chapter 13 for $0 down with the fee paid through the plan.
Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for 10 years; Chapter 13 for 7 years. But scores often recover faster than people expect — the discharge removes the underlying delinquencies.
Pro se filings are allowed but rarely advisable. Trustees scrutinize pro se filers harder, exemption mistakes are unforgiving, and a missed step can mean dismissal. Hire a bankruptcy lawyer if you can.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team