Are you looking for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer in College Station, TX?
At Leinart Law Firm, we are trusted Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers with two decades of client representation.
If you are considering Chapter 7 in College Station, the first step is confirming that your income and assets meet the requirements. Our College Station, TX Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer determines which of your debts Chapter 7 can eliminate and which will remain after the case.
Leinart Law Firm serves clients throughout Texas, including Brazos County. Schedule a free consultation to review your eligibility.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer College Station, TX
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer helps individuals eliminate qualifying unsecured debt through a liquidation case in federal court. Typically, nothing is liquidated because Texas exemptions cover the filer’s property. The lawyer prepares the required schedules, responds to the trustee, and appears with the client before the trustee.
According to BLS wage data, the average weekly wage in Brazos County was $1,146 in the fourth quarter of 2025. The national average for the same quarter was $1,569. A filer’s wages are among the first figures reviewed in a Chapter 7 eligibility analysis.
Types of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cases We Handle in College Station
Chapter 7 addresses most of the unsecured debts that College Station clients bring to us. The categories below are among those we handle.
- Credit card debt. Revolving balances on bank and retail cards qualify for discharge unless a specific exception applies. Recent charges for luxury items are the main exception.
- Medical debt. Emergency room, surgical, and specialist bills receive no priority in bankruptcy. The discharge eliminates them along with other nonpriority debts.
- Broken leases. Rent owed on an apartment lease that ended early is a dischargeable debt. A landlord’s claim for future rent is limited by bankruptcy rules. Eviction proceedings already underway are not always stopped by a filing.
- Payday and online loans. Short-term lenders hold no collateral in most cases. Those balances are discharged with the rest of the filer’s unsecured obligations.
- Collection lawsuits. Debt buyers often sue on accounts purchased from the original creditor. A discharge eliminates the debt even if the suit already produced a judgment.
- Vehicle loans. Filers who are current on a car loan can usually keep the vehicle. Those who are behind may surrender it and discharge any remaining balance.
- Signature loans. Loans from banks and credit unions are dischargeable when no collateral secures them. Different rules apply to loans secured by a vehicle or a share account.
- Overdrawn bank accounts. Negative balances and returned-check fees owed to a bank are dischargeable. The bank may close the account after the filing.
- Cancelled service contracts. Early termination fees on phone, gym, and similar contracts are unsecured claims. Chapter 7 discharges them with other contract debts.
Why Choose Leinart Law Firm as My Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer in College Station, TX?
A 4.7-Star Rating From Texas Clients
Google reviewers have given Leinart Law Firm an average rating of 4.7 stars, with more than 470 reviews posted. Marcus Leinart has represented consumers in bankruptcy since 2005, when he opened the firm. He has been licensed in Texas since 1995. Throughout his career, he has represented individuals rather than large corporations. NACBA, an organization of lawyers who represent consumer debtors, counts him as a member. Clients receive direct answers about what Chapter 7 will and will not accomplish for them.
Statewide Service From Dallas and Fort Worth
Brazos County residents work with a firm that offers:
- A founder-led practice with thousands of bankruptcy filings
- Combined attorney experience exceeding 90 years
- A Dallas office and a Fort Worth office
- Guidance on keeping vehicles and household property
- Free consultations before any commitment
What Is Important To Understand About Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cases?
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 and What Qualifies
Chapter 7 generally suits filers whose debts are mostly unsecured and whose property falls within the exemptions. It is also designed for wage earners whose income is below the Texas median for their household size.
Chapter 13 is the alternative when a filer earns above that median, is behind on a mortgage, or owns property that the exemptions do not cover. The means test compares income with state figures and allowed expenses. It decides which filers above the median may still proceed under Chapter 7.
A filer who is unsure which chapter applies can compare both at the consultation. The decision affects how long the case lasts and which property remains protected. Filers with significant nonexempt equity, such as a paid-off second vehicle, often prefer Chapter 13 to avoid a sale.
What Is The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case Timeline?
A filing in the Houston Division generally moves through these stages.
- Pre-filing counseling. An approved agency provides a credit counseling session before the petition is submitted. The certificate is filed with the petition.
- Petition and automatic stay. Filing the petition ends creditor calls and pauses pending lawsuits.
- Video meeting with the trustee. The trustee confirms the filer’s identity and asks questions about the petition under oath.
- Asset review. Following the meeting, the trustee determines whether any property is available for creditors.
- Objection period. Creditors and the trustee have a limited window to object to the discharge or to claimed exemptions.
- Discharge and case closing. After the debtor education course is complete, the court enters the discharge and closes the case.
What Are Important Aspects of a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case?
Several practical questions arise in nearly every filing.
- Debts that remain. Child support, alimony, most student loans, and certain recent taxes survive the discharge. Our attorneys explain which debts are discharged before any filing.
- Vehicles. A filer can keep a financed car by staying current and reaffirming the loan. Redeeming the vehicle for its value is another option.
- Old accounts. Balances on older accounts must be listed even when the creditor’s time to sue may have passed. Listing them allows the discharge to cover them.
- Co-signed accounts. A co-signer remains responsible for a debt the filer discharges in Chapter 7. Creditors may pursue that person after the discharge.
- New credit. Debts incurred after the petition date are not discharged in the case. Filers should avoid new credit until the discharge is entered.
What Should You Bring to Your Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Consultation?
Before the meeting, gather recent pay stubs, a list of creditors with approximate balances, vehicle loan statements, and your lease or mortgage information. Bank statements and the most recent tax return help confirm income. If a lawsuit or garnishment is pending, bring those papers as well. Taking the right steps before filing, such as avoiding new debt, can also prevent problems in the case. The attorney examines those records during the consultation. Topics include which debts will be discharged, which property is protected, and the expected length of the process. When another option would serve the client better, the attorney explains it.
Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court and Local Resources
Filings by College Station residents involve the federal offices listed here.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Houston Division. Brazos County cases are filed in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The bankruptcy court sits in the Bob Casey United States Courthouse at 515 Rusk Avenue.
- U.S. Trustee, Houston office. The U.S. Trustee’s Houston office supervises cases in the Houston, Galveston, and Victoria Divisions.
- Meetings of creditors. For cases filed since May 2024, the meeting of creditors in this division is conducted over Zoom unless the trustee requires an in-person meeting.
Reach Out to Leinart Law Firm to Schedule a Consultation
Leinart Law Firm accepts Chapter 7 cases from College Station, Bryan, and the rest of Brazos County. During a free consultation, our College Station Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer will assess your eligibility. The meeting ends with a clear explanation of the next steps. Contact us to schedule that meeting. A staff member will follow up with available times.