BankruptcyChapter 7 & 13Dallas, TXEdmond, OK

Bankruptcy lawyer for Texas and Oklahoma

Newark Law Offices helps people in Texas and Oklahoma stop collection pressure, keep essential property where the law allows, and get a fresh start through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Offices in Dallas and Edmond. Free consultation.

Request a free consultation Call (866) 230-7236

What a bankruptcy lawyer actually does for you

Most people call after a lawsuit, a garnishment notice, or a foreclosure date has already landed. The first job is to stop the bleeding: the moment a bankruptcy petition is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 halts most collection calls, lawsuits, garnishments, and repossessions. The second job is choosing the right chapter for your facts — usually Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

What does bankruptcy do?

Bankruptcy is a federal legal process that either erases (discharges) qualifying debts or reorganizes them into a court-approved repayment plan. Filing triggers an automatic stay that stops most collection activity — calls, lawsuits, wage garnishment, and foreclosure sales — while the case is pending.

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 — the short version

Chapter 7 is a liquidation: qualifying unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, most personal loans) is discharged, usually in a few months, if you pass the means test. Chapter 13 is a 3–5 year repayment plan that lets you catch up on a mortgage, keep a financed car, and pay a portion of unsecured debt. We map both against your income, property, and goals on the first call.

Should I file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?

Chapter 7 fits people whose income is below the state median or who have little non-exempt property and mainly want unsecured debt erased. Chapter 13 fits people who are behind on a mortgage or car and need time to catch up, or whose income is too high for Chapter 7. The means test and your goals for keeping property decide which applies.

What bankruptcy protects in Texas and Oklahoma

Both states have generous exemptions. Texas protects an unlimited-value homestead (subject to acreage limits) and a broad set of personal property. Oklahoma similarly protects a homestead and essential personal property. Exemptions are what let most filers keep their home, a vehicle, retirement accounts, and household goods. Which exemptions apply depends on how long you have lived in the state and the specific facts of your case.

Common reasons people file

A creditor has sued and a judgment or garnishment is coming
A foreclosure sale is scheduled
Wages are being garnished or a bank account was frozen
A car is about to be repossessed, or already was
Medical or credit-card debt has become unpayable

Where your case is handled

Consumer cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the district where you live — the Northern District of Texas (Dallas) and the Western District of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) cover most of our clients. Robert C. Newark, III is licensed in Texas and Oklahoma and admitted to the federal courts where these cases are filed.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter is different and depends on its own facts.

No outcome is promised or guaranteed. Descriptions of process are general and are not a prediction about any specific matter.

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Attorney advertising. This material is for general information and may be considered advertising under the rules of the State Bar of Texas and the Oklahoma Bar Association.