iBankruptcy™
Home › Gainesville Bankruptcy Attorney
N.D. Fla. · Gainesville Division

Gainesville Bankruptcy Attorney, Chapter 7 & Chapter 13

Steven C. Fraser files Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida, Gainesville Division. Stop wage garnishment, save your home with the Florida homestead exemption, and discharge credit card & medical debt. Flat $1,500 attorney fee + $338 court filing fee.

Schedule Free Consultation → 📞 877-862-7188

Quick answer: If you live in Gainesville or any of the surrounding counties (Alachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy), your bankruptcy case is filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida, Gainesville Division (401 SE 1st Ave.). Attorney Steven C. Fraser (Florida Bar #625825) is admitted in N.D. Fla. and files Chapter 7 ($1,500 flat + $338 filing fee) and Chapter 13 ($313 filing fee + plan-based attorney fee) cases for Gainesville residents. Most consultations are virtual; the 341 Meeting of Creditors is conducted by Zoom.

Gainesville Division, Quick Reference

Court & Jurisdiction

CourtU.S. Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Fla.
DivisionGainesville
Address401 SE 1st Ave.
Counties servedAlachua, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy
341 meeting formatZoom
FilingElectronic (CM/ECF)

Fees, Gainesville

Ch. 7 attorney fee (single)$1,500
Ch. 7 attorney fee (married)$1,750
Ch. 7 court filing fee$338
Ch. 13 court filing fee$313
Ch. 13 attorney feeQuoted at consult
Payment plansYes, Confido Legal

What Bankruptcy Can Stop, Often Within 24 Hours

The moment your case is filed in N.D. Fla., the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 freezes most collection activity. Notice typically reaches your Gainesville employer or creditor within 24-48 hours of filing.

Wage Garnishment

Stops the next pay period. Florida's head-of-household exemption (Fla. Stat. § 222.11) may also fully protect your wages outside bankruptcy if you provide >50% of household support. Learn more →

Foreclosure on Your Gainesville Home

The stay halts the foreclosure sale. Chapter 13 lets you cure mortgage arrears over 3-5 years while keeping the home. Florida's unlimited homestead exemption (Art. X, § 4) protects all home equity for owners who have lived in the home 1,215+ days.

Vehicle Repossession

Filing stops the tow. In Chapter 13 you may be able to cram down a non-purchase-money vehicle loan to fair market value if the loan is more than 910 days old.

Lawsuits, Bank Levies, IRS Collection

Lawsuits are stayed. Bank levies are released. Most IRS collection actions are halted (some priority taxes remain non-dischargeable). Creditor harassment phone calls must stop under 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)(6).

Frequently Asked Questions, Gainesville Bankruptcy

Where do I file bankruptcy in Gainesville, Florida?
Gainesville cases are filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Florida, Gainesville Division at 401 SE 1st Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601. The Gainesville Division covers Alachua County, Dixie County, Gilchrist County, Lafayette County, Levy County. Attorney Fraser files all cases electronically via CM/ECF and most consultations are virtual.
How long does Chapter 7 bankruptcy take in Gainesville?
A typical Chapter 7 case in the Northern District of Florida takes 4 to 6 months from filing to discharge. The 341 Meeting of Creditors is held approximately 30-45 days after filing (currently conducted by Zoom for Gainesville Division cases). The discharge order is entered roughly 60 days after the 341 meeting if no objections are filed.
How much does a bankruptcy attorney cost in Gainesville?
Attorney Fraser's flat fee for Chapter 7 in Gainesville is $1,500 for a single filer or $1,750 for a married couple. The court filing fee is $338 (paid directly to the court), bringing the total to $1,838 single / $2,088 married. Chapter 13 filing fee is $313; attorney fees are quoted at consultation based on plan complexity. Payment plans are available through Confido Legal.
Will Florida's homestead exemption protect my Gainesville home in Chapter 7?
Yes, in most cases. Florida's homestead exemption (Article X, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution) protects unlimited home equity if you have owned and resided in the property for at least 1,215 days before filing. If you have owned the home for less than 1,215 days, federal BAPCPA caps your exemption at $189,050 (2026). Gainesville homeowners with significant equity benefit substantially from Florida's homestead protection.
Can I stop wage garnishment in Gainesville by filing bankruptcy?
Yes. The automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 takes effect the moment your case is filed and immediately halts wage garnishments, bank levies, foreclosures, repossessions, and most lawsuits. Notice to your Gainesville employer is typically sent within 24-48 hours. Florida's head-of-household wage exemption under Fla. Stat. § 222.11 may also fully protect your wages from most garnishments even outside bankruptcy if you provide more than half the support for a household member.
Do I have to come to court in Gainesville?
For most consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in the Gainesville Division, you do not need to physically appear. The 341 Meeting of Creditors is conducted by Zoom. Many Gainesville-area clients complete the entire bankruptcy process, consultation, document signing (via SignNow), and the 341 meeting, without leaving home.

Free Gainesville Bankruptcy Consultation

Get a clear answer to two questions: do you qualify for Chapter 7, and what will it cost? Most consultations take 30 minutes and are conducted by phone or Zoom.

Schedule Free Consultation → 📞 877-862-7188

Visit the Jacksonville Office

Steven C. Fraser, P.A. serves the Middle and Northern Districts of Florida from the Jacksonville office. Most consultations are virtual; in-person meetings available by appointment.

Jacksonville Office

4651 Salisbury Rd, Suite 400
Jacksonville, FL 32256

Phone: 877-862-7188

Hours: Mon – Fri, 9 AM – 5 PM
Evenings & weekends by appointment

View on Google →