S.D. Fla. · West Palm Beach Division

Port St. Lucie Bankruptcy Attorney — Chapter 7 & Chapter 13

Steven C. Fraser files Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach 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.

Quick answer: If you live in Port St. Lucie or any of the surrounding counties (St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee), your bankruptcy case is filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division (1515 N. Flagler Dr., 8th Fl). Attorney Steven C. Fraser (Florida Bar #625825) is admitted in S.D. Fla. and files Chapter 7 ($1,500 flat + $338 filing fee) and Chapter 13 ($313 filing fee + plan-based attorney fee) cases for Port St. Lucie residents. Most consultations are virtual; the 341 Meeting of Creditors is conducted by Zoom.

West Palm Beach Division — Quick Reference

Court & Jurisdiction

CourtU.S. Bankruptcy Court, S.D. Fla.
DivisionWest Palm Beach
Address1515 N. Flagler Dr., 8th Fl
Counties servedSt. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee
341 meeting formatZoom
FilingElectronic (CM/ECF)

Fees — Port St. Lucie

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 S.D. Fla., the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 freezes most collection activity. Notice typically reaches your Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie 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 — Port St. Lucie Bankruptcy

Where do I file bankruptcy in Port St. Lucie, Florida?
Port St. Lucie cases are filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division at 1515 N. Flagler Dr., 8th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The West Palm Beach Division covers St. Lucie County, Martin County, Indian River County, Okeechobee County. Attorney Fraser files all cases electronically via CM/ECF and most consultations are virtual.
How long does Chapter 7 bankruptcy take in Port St. Lucie?
A typical Chapter 7 case in the Southern 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 West Palm Beach 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 Port St. Lucie?
Attorney Fraser's flat fee for Chapter 7 in Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie 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). Port St. Lucie homeowners with significant equity benefit substantially from Florida's homestead protection.
Can I stop wage garnishment in Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie?
For most consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases in the West Palm Beach Division, you do not need to physically appear. The 341 Meeting of Creditors is conducted by Zoom. Many Port St. Lucie-area clients complete the entire bankruptcy process — consultation, document signing (via SignNow), and the 341 meeting — without leaving home.

Free Port St. Lucie 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.