Zogby is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. We may receive compensation from the companies whose products appear on this site. This compensation may impact how, where, and in what order products appear. Zogby does not include every financial company or every product available in the marketplace.
The best Bankruptcy Attorneys company in Hawaii for 2026 is Upsolve, rated 4.9 with fees of Free (nonprofit) and a resolution timeline of 3-6 months. Other top-rated options include Stretto / Deborah Williamson (rated 4.8) and Lamoureux Law Firm (rated 4.7).
- Top Pick
- Upsolve
- Rating
- 4.9
- Avg. Fees
- Free (nonprofit)
Last updated
Key Takeaways: Business Debt Settlement in Hawaii
- 1 Upsolve is our #1 pick for Hawaii bankruptcy — their free Chapter 7 tool handles Hawaii's exemption analysis and the nation's highest means test thresholds.
- 2 Hawaii allows a choice between federal and state exemptions. The state homestead exemption is $30,000 for a head of household — modest given Hawaiian property values.
- 3 Hawaii's extremely high cost of living results in the highest means test expense deductions in the country, helping more residents qualify for Chapter 7.
- 4 All Hawaii cases are filed in the District of Hawaii in Honolulu. Neighbor island filers may attend 341 meetings via video or telephone.
- 5 Tourism and military families are the two largest populations filing bankruptcy in Hawaii.
Hawaii's cost of living — the highest in the nation — drives unique bankruptcy dynamics. Housing costs that average $1 million+ for a single-family home on Oahu, grocery prices 50-100% above mainland averages, and limited job diversification beyond tourism and the military create persistent financial stress. Hawaii allows filers to choose between federal and state exemptions, and the state's head-of-household homestead exemption of $30,000 is modest given property values, making the federal exemptions attractive for many filers. All cases are filed in the District of Hawaii in Honolulu.
We spent over 150 hours evaluating bankruptcy resources for Hawaii. Upsolve is our #1 pick for qualifying Chapter 7 filers, providing a free tool that navigates Hawaii's exemption choice and the highest means test thresholds in the country.
Work at a hotel in Waikiki making $35k. Rent in Kalihi eats most of my paycheck. $38k in credit cards from just trying to survive in Hawaii. Can Chapter 7 help?
Case Success Rate
30%We evaluated each firm's track record of successful bankruptcy filings, focusing on Chapter 7 discharge rates, Chapter 13 plan confirmation rates, and overall case completion percentages across federal bankruptcy courts.
Fee Transparency
25%We assessed whether firms clearly disclose attorney fees, court filing fees, credit counseling costs, and any additional charges before engagement. We penalized firms that obscure pricing or charge unnecessary add-on fees.
Client Reviews
25%We analyzed verified client reviews, Avvo ratings, state bar disciplinary records, BBB ratings, and overall satisfaction scores across multiple independent review platforms and legal directories.
Bankruptcy Expertise
20%We verified each firm's credentials including years of bankruptcy-specific practice, board certifications, case volume, familiarity with local bankruptcy court procedures, and experience with complex asset and debt structures.
Our editorial team spent over 150 hours evaluating bankruptcy resources for Hawaii across the District of Hawaii.
How We Ranked Hawaii Business Debt Settlement Companies
Economic Snapshot
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.
CFPB Complaint Tracker
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. All financial complaints filed from HI in the past 12 months.
Rank 1: Upsolve
Show Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing tool backed by a nonprofit mission
- Step-by-step guided preparation that simplifies complex bankruptcy paperwork
- Has helped discharge over $600 million in debt for low-income Americans
- A+ BBB rating with thousands of verified success stories from real filers
Cons
- Only covers Chapter 7 bankruptcy — not Chapter 13 or business filings
- Best suited for straightforward cases with limited assets and income
Upsolve is our #1 ranked bankruptcy resource for Hawaii in 2026. In a state with some of the highest attorney fees in the country due to island overhead costs, Upsolve's free Chapter 7 tool is invaluable. The platform handles Hawaii's exemption choice and accounts for the state's unique cost-of-living factors in means test calculations.
Rank 2: Stretto / Deborah Williamson
- Min. Debt
- $10,000
- Fees
- $1,500-$3,500
- Timeline
- 3-6 months
Rank 3: Lamoureux Law Firm
- Min. Debt
- $15,000
- Fees
- $2,500-$5,000
- Timeline
- 3-5 years (Chapter 13 plan)
Hawaii Business Debt Settlement Compared
| Metric | Upsolve Top Pick | Stretto / Deborah Williamson | Lamoureux Law Firm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Debt | No minimum | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Avg. Fees | Free (nonprofit) | $1,500-$3,500 | $2,500-$5,000 |
| Timeline | 3-6 months | 3-6 months | 3-5 years (Chapter 13 plan) |
| Rating |
4.9
|
4.8
|
4.7
|
About Hawaii
All Hawaii cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii in Honolulu. Hawaii allows filers to choose between federal and state exemptions. The state homestead exemption under…
1Cost of Living and the Means Test
Hawaii's means test thresholds are the highest in the country because the IRS expense allowances for Honolulu County are among the nation's highest. Housing, food, and transportation deductions reflect the true cost of island living. This means a Hawaii resident earning $80,000 might pass the means test where the same income would fail in a lower-cost state.
2Bankruptcy Attorneys in Hawaii: The Complete 2026 Guide
Hawaii's combination of the nation's highest cost of living, tourism-dependent economy, and island geography creates a bankruptcy landscape unlike any other state.
3Hawaii Bankruptcy Legal Landscape
All Hawaii cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Hawaii in Honolulu. Hawaii allows filers to choose between federal and state exemptions. The state homestead exemption under HRS § 651-92 protects $30,000 for a head of household. Federal exemptions provide $27,900 homestead plus a wildcard. Given Hawaii's extreme property values, both homestead amounts are inadequate for most homeowners, making Chapter 13 the primary option for protecting homes with significant equity.
4Who Files for Bankruptcy in Hawaii?
Tourism and hospitality workers on all islands face seasonal income volatility and low wages relative to costs. Military families at Pearl Harbor, Schofield Barracks, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii face the highest BAH rates in the country yet still struggle. Native Hawaiian families dealing with rising land costs and limited economic opportunities on neighbor islands, and healthcare workers facing burnout with limited employment alternatives all contribute to filings.
5Hawaii Exemption Analysis
6Tourism Worker Bankruptcy
7Military Families in Hawaii
8Medical Debt in Hawaii
9Neighbor Island Considerations
10Leasehold Property in Bankruptcy
11Native Hawaiian Land Trusts
12Credit Recovery in Hawaii
13Alternatives to Bankruptcy in Hawaii
- Debt Settlement: Hawaii residents can negotiate settlements. Hawaii has limited state-specific regulation of debt settlement firms.
- Credit Counseling: Hawaiian Community Assets and mainland NFCC agencies serve Hawaii residents with financial counseling and Debt Management Plans.
- Negotiate Directly: Hawaii has a 6-year statute of limitations on most debts.
- Legal Aid Society of Hawaii: LASH provides free bankruptcy assistance to qualifying low-income residents on all islands.
Watch: How Debt Relief Works in Hawaii
Video coming soon
Hawaii Business Debt Settlement FAQ
1. What is the best bankruptcy resource in Hawaii for 2026?
2. How much does bankruptcy cost in Hawaii?
3. Can I keep my home filing bankruptcy in Hawaii?
4. Can neighbor island residents attend 341 meetings remotely?
5. How long does bankruptcy take in Hawaii?
Hawaii Attorney General
More Business Debt Settlement Guides Near Hawaii
Estimate Your Savings
Use our free calculators to estimate your potential savings and find the best path to financial relief.
About the Author
David Park
Senior Bankruptcy Editor
Important Bankruptcy Attorney Disclaimers
- Filing for bankruptcy is a serious legal decision that will remain on your credit report for 7 years (Chapter 13) or 10 years (Chapter 7). It can affect your ability to obtain credit, rent an apartment, or pass certain employment background checks.
- Not all debts can be discharged in bankruptcy. Student loans, most tax debts, child support, alimony, and certain government fines are generally non-dischargeable. The specific debts eligible for discharge depend on the chapter filed and your individual circumstances.
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy requires passing a means test based on your income relative to your state's median income. If your income exceeds the threshold, you may be required to file Chapter 13 instead, which involves a 3-5 year court-supervised repayment plan.
- Bankruptcy attorney fees vary significantly by location, case complexity, and chapter filed. Chapter 7 typically costs $1,500-$3,500 in attorney fees plus a $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 typically costs $2,500-$6,000 in attorney fees plus a $313 filing fee. Fee waivers may be available for low-income filers.
- Filing for bankruptcy triggers an automatic stay that stops most collection activity, but certain actions (such as criminal proceedings, tax audits, and some evictions) may continue. The automatic stay can also be lifted by the court upon creditor motion.
- Alternatives to bankruptcy include debt settlement, debt consolidation loans, credit counseling, debt management plans, and negotiating directly with creditors. Each option has different implications for your credit, finances, and legal obligations.
- Zogby does not provide legal services. We are an independent comparison service that connects consumers with bankruptcy attorneys. We may receive compensation from featured firms, which may influence rankings and placement.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal or financial advice. You should consult with a qualified bankruptcy attorney before making any decisions about filing for bankruptcy.
Editorial Independence
We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.