The best Bankruptcy Attorneys company in Houston 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 Houston
- 1 Upsolve is our #1 pick for Houston bankruptcy — free Chapter 7 tool with over $600 million discharged nationwide.
- 2 Texas's unlimited homestead protects your Houston home regardless of equity.
- 3 Houston cases are filed in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, at the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse on Rusk Street.
- 4 Texas prohibits wage garnishment for most consumer debts and is a community property state.
- 5 The Houston Division is one of America's busiest bankruptcy courts, making experienced local counsel especially valuable.
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Houston is America's fourth-largest city, with 2.3 million residents and a metro area of 7 million. The city's economy is dominated by energy, healthcare (the Texas Medical Center is the world's largest), aerospace (NASA Johnson Space Center), and international trade. Despite Houston's economic might, many Harris County residents face financial hardship from oil industry downturns, medical debt, natural disasters, and consumer debt. Houston cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division — one of the busiest bankruptcy courts in America. Texas's powerful exemptions protect Houston filers extensively.
We spent over 150 hours evaluating bankruptcy attorneys serving Houston and Harris County. Upsolve emerged as our #1 pick for qualifying Chapter 7 filers.
About Houston
Houston cases are filed at the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, at the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse. Texas's state exemptions apply: unlimited homestead, two vehicles, $50,000/$100,000 pe…
Our editorial team spent over 150 hours evaluating bankruptcy attorneys serving Houston and Harris County in the Southern District of Texas.
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.
How We Ranked Houston Business Debt Settlement Companies
Rank 1: Upsolve
Upsolve is our #1 bankruptcy resource for Houston in 2026. Their free tool accounts for Texas's powerful exemptions and generates filings for the Southern District of Texas. Given Houston's enormous population and wide range of income levels, Upsolve provides critical access for low-income filers.
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
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)
Houston 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
|
Multi-Factor Comparison
Upsolve across rating, fees, and speed
CFPB Complaint Tracker
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. All financial complaints filed from TX in the past 12 months.
Watch: How Debt Relief Works in Houston
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1Choosing Between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 in Houston
Texas's unlimited homestead makes Chapter 7 powerful for Houston homeowners at any equity level. The means test uses Houston MSA figures. Chapter 13 is needed for mortgage arrears and tax debts. Energy industry workers with variable income should time their filing strategically. Community property rules require careful analysis for married filers.
2Bankruptcy Attorneys in Houston: The Complete 2026 Guide
Filing bankruptcy in Houston means leveraging Texas's powerful exemptions in one of America's largest and most economically diverse cities.
3Energy Industry and Houston Bankruptcy
11Who Files for Bankruptcy in Houston?
Houston filers reflect the city's massive diversity: energy industry workers affected by oil price swings, Texas Medical Center employees with their own medical debt, NASA and aerospace workers, port and logistics employees, small business owners across the city's vast geography, construction workers, flooding and hurricane victims with uninsured damage, and residents of every economic level dealing with consumer debt in America's fourth-largest city.
12Houston Bankruptcy Legal Landscape
Houston cases are filed at the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, at the Bob Casey Federal Courthouse. Texas's state exemptions apply: unlimited homestead, two vehicles, $50,000/$100,000 personal property, fully exempt retirement accounts, and no wage garnishment for most consumer debts. The Houston Division processes enormous volume -- experienced local counsel is critical for navigating trustee expectations and local rules. Community property considerations apply for married Houston filers.
13Alternatives to Bankruptcy in Houston
- Debt Settlement: Houston residents may negotiate settlements, though Texas's strong exemptions often make Chapter 7 more effective.
- Credit Counseling / Debt Management Plans: Multiple NFCC agencies serve metro Houston, including bilingual services for the city's diverse population.
- Negotiate Directly with Creditors: Texas's wage garnishment prohibition provides significant leverage.
- Legal Aid and Pro Bono Services: Lone Star Legal Aid and Houston Volunteer Lawyers provide free bankruptcy assistance. South Texas College of Law and University of Houston Law Center operate clinics.
Economic Snapshot
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.
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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.