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Bankruptcy Lawyer Connecticut

If you’re dealing with creditor calls, mounting debt, or the threat of losing your home, then filing for bankruptcy might be the right option for you. We can help you understand your legal options when filing for Connecticut bankruptcy and take meaningful steps toward financial stability. At The Law Offices of Neil Crane, we have guided individuals and families through this process for over 43 years, and we know what it actually takes to get people on a path to better financial health.

Why Choose The Law Offices of Neil Crane for Bankruptcy in Connecticut?

Decades of Bankruptcy Experience in Connecticut

Attorney Neil R. Crane has been practicing bankruptcy and debt relief law since 1983. That’s over four decades handling Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 cases in Connecticut courts. He founded this firm and has spent his entire career focused on helping individuals and families find real solutions to financial hardships. We have handled more than 15,000 cases. This number represents real people, real debt, and positive outcomes. Neil has seen virtually every financial situation that brings someone to a bankruptcy attorney’s office, and he has built a reputation for finding creative paths forward when other options have run out.

Attorney Neil’s reach extends well beyond the courtroom, as he has lobbied before Congress on behalf of consumer rights. He has been interviewed by the BBC and Swiss television on the mortgage crisis and consumer debt. He appeared in the Sunday New York Times Business section alongside clients navigating financial difficulty. He is a frequent guest speaker at Connecticut Bar Association CLE seminars and has presented to other professional organizations across the state.

Neil is also a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, the National Association of Consumer Advocates, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Connecticut Bar Association’s Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section.

He earned his J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1983 and his B.A. from Emory University in 1979. He is admitted to practice in Connecticut, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. He has received the Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished rating every year from 2018 through 2022, along with the Client Champion Award in 2020.

Real Results for Connecticut Families

We’ve helped Connecticut residents eliminate credit card debt, stop foreclosure proceedings, halt wage garnishment, and restructure what they owe to creditors. Outcomes vary by case, but we can give you an honest assessment of your situation. We can tell you what we can realistically do, and the steps involved to get there.

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“Let’s be honest. Bankruptcy and home foreclosure are unpleasant and stressful, affecting those involved very personally and deeply. However, the experience doesn’t have to be defeating, and Neil Crane and his entire staff offer a very real, manageable, (and affordable), path through the entire process. Honestly, I should be outside their office handing out free pencils with a picture of Neil’s dog and the company logo on them. I am that convinced Neil and his wonderful group of professionals are the people to trust if you are faced with these difficult issues.” — Tom Bernard

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Bankruptcy Cases We Handle in Connecticut

We represent consumers, families, and small business owners across Connecticut who are facing a wide range of debt and financial hardship situations. Here’s what we are accustomed to handling:

Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This is the most common form of personal bankruptcy. Chapter 7 discharges most unsecured debt, including credit cards and medical bills, typically within a few months. If you qualify under the means test, Chapter 7 can give you a genuine fresh start.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Rather than liquidating assets, Chapter 13 lets you repay debt over a three-to-five-year plan. It’s often the right path for homeowners who want to keep their property and catch up on missed mortgage payments.
Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Used primarily for business reorganization, though individuals with very high debt may file Chapter 11 as well.
Foreclosure defense. Filing for bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay, which immediately halts foreclosure proceedings. Our attorneys have extensive experience using both Chapter 13 and Connecticut’s Foreclosure Mediation Program to help homeowners stay in their homes.
Small business bankruptcy. When a business is no longer viable, or when debt is strangling an otherwise sound operation, we help owners evaluate Chapter 7 liquidation, Chapter 11 reorganization, and out-of-court workouts. We’ve also helped business owners understand the connection between business debt and personal liability.
Credit card debt relief. Bankruptcy can eliminate most unsecured credit card debt entirely. We’ll guide you through whether bankruptcy or another approach makes more sense given your specific financial standing.
Collections and lawsuits. If a creditor has sued you or obtained a court judgment, your wages and bank accounts are at risk. We defend Connecticut consumers against debt collection actions and stop garnishments and levies.
Tax debt resolution. Certain tax debts can be discharged in bankruptcy under specific conditions. Others can be resolved through installment agreements or an Offer in Compromise. We handle both IRS and state tax debt matters.

Connecticut Legal Requirements for Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy in Connecticut means navigating both federal bankruptcy law under Title 11 of the U.S. Code and Connecticut-specific rules that affect exemptions, the means test, and foreclosure procedures.

To qualify for Chapter 7, your income must fall below Connecticut’s median income level, or you must pass a more detailed income and expense calculation. The U.S. Trustee Program publishes updated income figures for Connecticut. If you don’t qualify for Chapter 7, Chapter 13 may still be an option.

When you file bankruptcy, certain property is protected from creditors under Connecticut state exemptions. Under Connecticut General Statutes § 52-352b, these protections include equity in your home (up to a defined amount), motor vehicles, clothing, and certain retirement accounts. Federal exemptions are also available and sometimes more favorable. We’ll help you determine which set works better for your situation.

The moment a bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 goes into effect. Creditors must immediately stop collection calls, garnishments, lawsuits, and foreclosure proceedings. For many clients, this is the most immediate and significant relief bankruptcy provides.

Connecticut offers a structured foreclosure mediation process through the state court system. This allows homeowners to negotiate directly with lenders with court oversight. Our attorneys have helped many clients use this program to modify loans and avoid foreclosure.

Important Aspects of a Connecticut Bankruptcy Case

The Automatic Stay and Creditor Protection

The moment you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay halts nearly all collection activity. Wage garnishments stop, bank levies halt, creditor calls must cease, and foreclosure proceedings are paused. For people who’ve been dealing with constant financial pressure, this pause is often the first time they have felt in quite some time. However, creditors can move to lift it under certain circumstances, and it doesn’t apply to all types of debt. Knowing what it covers, and what it doesn’t, is important going in before you begin.

Dischargeable vs. Non-Dischargeable Debt

Not all debt can be eliminated in bankruptcy. Credit card balances, medical bills, personal loans, and certain older tax debts can often be discharged. Student loans, recent tax debts, child support, and alimony generally cannot. Some people come to us expecting to discharge everything and are surprised to learn that certain obligations remain. We walk through what is discharged and what won’t before you make any decisions about filing for bankruptcy.

The Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Decision

One of the most consequential decisions in any bankruptcy case is figuring out which chapter to file for. Chapter 7 is faster and discharges unsecured debt outright, while Chapter 13 takes three to five years but lets you keep non-exempt assets and catch up on secured debts like a mortgage. The right choice depends on your income, your assets, what you owe, and what you’re trying to protect. Understanding the difference between Chapter 13 and foreclosure is particularly important for homeowners.

Life After Bankruptcy

Filing for bankruptcy is not the end of your financial life. Bankruptcy appears on your credit report for seven to ten years, but credit recovery can begin sooner than most people expect. Many of our clients see their credit scores begin to improve within the first year after discharge. We are transparent about what to expect, including the steps to rebuild credit after bankruptcy and how to avoid the same patterns that led to financial hardship.

Timing and Pre-Filing Decisions

What you do before filing matters as much as the filing itself. Transferring assets, paying back certain family members, or running up credit card balances in the months before a bankruptcy petition can create serious legal problems. We counsel clients on mistakes to avoid before bankruptcy and the right way to prepare documentation, organize finances, and time a filing correctly.

Contact The Law Offices of Neil Crane

If you’re considering bankruptcy in Connecticut, consider meeting with us over a free consultation. We’ll listen to your situation and explain what’s realistically possible. Most clients leave that first conversation feeling confident and relieved that there is a path forward, so we’d like to do the same for you. Contact us to schedule a time to speak with our team.

Neil Crane was everything I needed in an attorney in my time of need. Bankruptcy is an overwhelming place to be financially and emotionally. Neil’s knowledge, professionalism, and level of communication from beginning to end were above and beyond !! I am so very grateful!! His entire staff treated me with dignity and respect throughout the entire process. I highly recommend the law offices of Neil Crane to handle all of your bankruptcy needs.
Stephanie

Stephanie Schuler

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Client Review

“My experience was a very positive one. Dealing with Neil Crane and his staff was the best decision that I could have made. Neil has helped me get back on a solid financial path. My case was a tough one and the Neil Crane Law Firm was the best Law Firm I could have chose.
Thanks for all the help. Now I can put all my bad choices behind me and move forward in my life.”
Mark Linhard