Bankruptcy Lawyer in Tarrant County, Texas: Find Relief and Rebuild
If you’re drowning in debt and live in Tarrant County, bankruptcy might be the lifeline you need. Although bankruptcy is a federal legal process, Texas has unique exemptions that can help you keep your home, car, and essential belongings. With a skilled Tarrant County bankruptcy lawyer guiding you, you can protect your rights and get a clean financial slate.
Why You Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Tarrant County
Filing bankruptcy on your own can lead to serious missteps—especially in a large, diverse county like Tarrant. Mistakes in your paperwork or misunderstanding exemptions can cost you:
- Your home or vehicle
- Legal protections under the automatic stay
- Your discharge of debts
- Time, money, and unnecessary stress
An experienced bankruptcy attorney in Tarrant County can make sure your case is filed properly, your exemptions are maximized, and creditors are stopped in their tracks.
How Bankruptcy Works in Tarrant County
Step 1: Choose the Bankruptcy Chapter That Fits
Most Tarrant County individuals file under:
- Chapter 7: Eliminates unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills quickly (within 3–6 months). Some non-exempt property may be liquidated, but Texas exemptions often protect what matters most.
- Chapter 13: A repayment plan over 3–5 years that lets you catch up on missed mortgage or car payments while keeping your property.
- Chapter 12: Designed for family farmers and ranchers in rural parts of the county, offering flexible restructuring.
Step 2: Complete Credit Counseling & File Your Petition
Before filing, you must complete a credit counseling course from an approved provider. Your attorney will then submit your bankruptcy petition, including full financial disclosures.
Step 3: The Automatic Stay Begins
As soon as you file, the automatic stay halts:
- Wage garnishments
- Creditor calls
- Foreclosures and evictions
- Repossession and lawsuits
Step 4: Trustee Review & 341 Meeting in Fort Worth
You’ll attend a 341 Meeting of Creditors about 30 days after filing. This meeting is conducted by the trustee—not a judge—and typically takes place at:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court – Northern District of Texas (Fort Worth Division)
501 W. 10th Street, Room 128
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Phone: (817) 333-6000
https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov
If you reside in Tarrant County, your case will be filed and heard in this Fort Worth Division.
Step 5: Discharge or Repayment Completion
- Chapter 7: Discharge granted in most cases within 4–6 months
- Chapter 13: Discharge occurs after completing the 3–5 year payment plan
What Property Can You Keep in a Tarrant County Bankruptcy?
You’ll choose either Texas or federal bankruptcy exemptions—not both.
Texas Bankruptcy Exemptions (if you’ve lived in TX for 2+ years)
- Homestead Exemption:
- Unlimited equity protection (with some federal caps)
- Covers up to 10 urban acres or 100 rural acres (200 for families)
- Applies to homes anywhere in Tarrant County, from Fort Worth to Keller
- Proceeds from sale are protected for 6 months
- Personal Property:
- $50,000 for individuals / $100,000 for families
- Includes home furnishings, food, clothing, one vehicle per licensed household member, tools of trade, pets, livestock, up to 25% of exemption for jewelry, and two firearms
- Exempts retirement accounts, health aids, unpaid wages, and certain insurance
- Not Exempt:
- Bank account cash
- Tax refunds
- Stocks or non-retirement investments
Federal Exemptions (used in limited cases)
- $27,900 homestead equity (2022; doubled for couples)
- $4,450 vehicle equity
- $14,875 household items
- Wildcard exemption and more—useful if you don’t own a home or recently moved to Texas
IRS Seizure and Bankruptcy Limits
Even in bankruptcy, the IRS can seize most assets except:
- Personal effects under $1,650
- Tools of trade under $1,100
- Benefits like Social Security and VA compensation
- A portion of wages for child support
- Your home (only with IRS regional director approval)
Residency & Homestead Limits
- You must have lived in Texas for at least 2 years to use Texas exemptions.
- If you bought your home within the last 3 years and 4 months or transferred assets to avoid debt, the homestead exemption may be capped at $170,350.
What Can Go Wrong Without a Tarrant County Bankruptcy Attorney?
Trying to file bankruptcy without legal help may result in:
- Case dismissal from paperwork or procedural errors
- Loss of property due to the wrong exemption system
- Continued harassment from creditors
- No discharge of debts
- Foreclosure or repossession due to poorly structured repayment plans
Avoid the stress. A local attorney understands Tarrant County’s courts and procedures and ensures your case is done right.
Why Hire Our Tarrant County Bankruptcy Lawyers?
Our Fort Worth-based attorneys understand how to work with the Northern District of Texas and leverage the best exemptions available under Texas law. We help residents of Arlington, Mansfield, Burleson, North Richland Hills, and across Tarrant County eliminate debt and protect what matters most.
Texas & Tarrant County Bankruptcy Stats
- Over 70,000 bankruptcies are filed in Texas every year
- Chapter 13 is more common in Tarrant County than the national average
- Chapter 7 cases typically last 4–6 months; Chapter 13 plans run 3–5 years
- Local bankruptcy filings are processed through the Fort Worth Division
For official reports, visit the U.S. Courts Bankruptcy Statistics page.
Schedule Your Free Bankruptcy Consultation in Tarrant County
Looking for a bankruptcy lawyer in Fort Worth or elsewhere in Tarrant County? We’re here to help you explore your options and get a fresh start. Call now to speak with a local attorney who knows the system and can protect your future.