Drowning in debt in Dallas? You have options.
Texas has one of the most generous homestead exemptions in the country — unlimited equity in your primary residence (up to 10 urban acres). That makes Texas Chapter 7 a powerful tool. Cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division.
These 10 firms handle Chapter 7, Chapter 13, and small-business reorganization cases for Dallas-Fort Worth residents.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), 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, debt relief
Described as the largest bankruptcy filing firm in the state. Reed Allmand is Board Certified in Consumer Bankruptcy by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, foreclosure defense
15+ years helping thousands of DFW clients. Established Dallas-Fort Worth bankruptcy practice.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Mark Rubin has limited his practice solely to bankruptcy law since 1991.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13, business bankruptcy
Well-versed in U.S. Bankruptcy Code and Texas exemptions.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
One attorney has represented well over 10,000 bankruptcies since 2003.
Practice focus: Chapter 7, Chapter 13
Boutique Dallas bankruptcy firm with strong consumer practice.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy, debtor/creditor
Long-established Dallas bankruptcy attorney with strong reorganization bench.
Practice focus: Business bankruptcy, Chapter 11, restructuring
Multi-state practice with major business restructuring bench.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy, commercial litigation
Established Dallas firm with deep commercial bankruptcy practice.
Practice focus: Bankruptcy, business reorganization
Plano/Dallas boutique with both consumer and business chapter practice.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted bankruptcy attorneys in Dallas. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Chapter 7 (liquidation): 4-6 months, most consumer debt discharged. Chapter 13 (repayment plan): 3-5 years. Filing requires credit counseling and means test.
Chapter 7: $1,200-$2,500 flat. Chapter 13: $3,500-$5,500 (most paid through plan). Court filing fees $338 (Ch.7) / $313 (Ch.13).
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Dallas 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 visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner 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 retainer 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 Dallas lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
Most Dallas 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.
Dallas is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. Dallas County District Courts at the George L. Allen Sr. Courts Building and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Dallas firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Texas homestead exemption is unlimited — you keep your home as long as you can pay the mortgage.
One vehicle per household member (up to $50,000/$100,000 personal property exemption) is protected.
Ch.7 = liquidation, fastest, requires income below median. Ch.13 = 3-5 year payment plan, lets you save a house from foreclosure.
Ch.7: 10 years. Ch.13: 7 years. Most clients see scores recover within 12-24 months.
Yes (pro se) but with the strict means test, paperwork, and 341 meeting, errors are common.
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 taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team