We Make Cincinnati Bankruptcy Fast And Easy
Last updated on May 8, 2026
No one wants to file bankruptcy. But certain things happen in our lives that are out of our control. During those tough times, we encourage our clients in Cincinnati, Middletown and throughout the region to stop worrying about what got them into trouble and start focusing on the solution! With offices in both Cincinnati and Middletown, we make the bankruptcy process accessible and straightforward.
There are three main types of bankruptcy:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy In Cincinnati
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is commonly referred to as “straight bankruptcy.” If eligible, you can discharge 100 percent of your debt. Most people will keep their necessary assets such as their home, vehicle, personal property, life insurance, etc.
You may not be eligible to file Chapter 7 if your household income exceeds certain limits set by law. In addition, people who own valuable assets above and beyond what is considered necessary run the risk of losing those assets. For example, you can generally keep your home and vehicles during Chapter 7, but you risk losing a boat or motorcycle.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is commonly referred to “reorganization bankruptcy.” Chapter 13 is a three- to five-year repayment plan. All of your debt is essentially frozen, you are protected from any collection activity, and you repay some portion of your debt over the three to five year plan. Some people pay back as little as 1 percent of their total debt; others might pay back 10 percent, 50 percent, and so on. The amount you have to repay is based on how much you can afford to repay. At the end of your plan, the remaining unpaid portion of your debt is discharged.
Under Chapter 13, you keep all your assets, no matter how valuable they might be.
Typically, people file Chapter 13 for one of three main reasons:
- Their income is too high, and they are not eligible to file Chapter 7.
- They have valuable assets they want to keep and that they might lose under Chapter 7.
- They have a home in foreclosure, and they need three to five years to catch up the mortgage payments.
Business Bankruptcy And Chapter 11
If you are self employed or own a business, an ordinary bankruptcy attorney may not be able to help you. You need attorneys that understand business law, tax law and all your debt relief options. In some cases, we recommend the business file bankruptcy in addition to the owner filing a personal bankruptcy. In other cases, one bankruptcy case can solve the problems.
We help our business clients understand all their debt relief options. In addition, our attorneys have experience resolving complicated business tax issues. If Chapter 11 bankruptcy is recommended, Hurley Law also has experience in Chapter 11 cases.
Can You File For Bankruptcy And Keep Your House?
Yes, in most cases you can file bankruptcy and keep your house. In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Ohio exemption laws protect a certain amount of equity in your primary residence. If your home equity falls within these protected limits, you can keep your house as long as you continue making mortgage payments. Many Cincinnati and Middletown homeowners successfully keep their homes through Chapter 7.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy offers even stronger protection for homeowners. If you’re behind on mortgage payments or facing foreclosure, Chapter 13 allows you to catch up on missed payments over three to five years while stopping foreclosure proceedings. You keep your home as long as you follow the repayment plan and maintain current mortgage payments going forward. Chapter 13 is particularly beneficial for Cincinnati area homeowners who need time to resolve mortgage arrears.
The key factors determining whether you keep your house include how much equity you have, whether you’re current on payments and which bankruptcy chapter you file. Our bankruptcy lawyers review your specific situation to determine the best strategy for protecting your home.
Legal Fees For Bankruptcy
The cost to file bankruptcy depends on the complexity of your case and the type of case you need to file. Basic bankruptcy cases start at $1,000. Additional fees may apply for married couples, mortgages, car loans, tax debts, self-employed/business owner, etc. Contact our Cincinnati or Middletown office now to schedule a free consultation so we can give you an exact fee quote and discuss your bankruptcy options. Call 513-318-9893.
*We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.