The Bankruptcy Attorney Who Files and Fights Back.
The moment your case is filed, the calls stop. The garnishment stops. The fear stops. And when creditors cross the line after that — Attorney Fraser pursues them personally in federal court.
Florida and DC — the only attorney combining bankruptcy filing with active creditor litigation.
Steven C. Fraser, Esq. is a bankruptcy attorney licensed in Florida (FL Bar No. 625825) and Washington, DC (DC Bar No. 460026), practicing exclusively in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, automatic stay enforcement, FDCPA debt collector violations, and FCRA credit report disputes. His Florida practice is based in Jacksonville; DC representation is entirely virtual. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (Cert. No. 37256 CFR). Free consultation: 954-451-0434.
Automatic Stay — 11 U.S.C. § 362
The Moment You File, Everything Stops.
The phone stops ringing. The wage garnishment draining your paycheck every two weeks — gone. The foreclosure sale date keeping you awake at 3 a.m. — stopped. With that weight removed, you can think clearly, make good decisions, and begin to rebuild — with a lawyer who is not done fighting for you the moment the discharge order is signed.
📞
Creditor Calls
All collection contact must stop immediately — calls, texts, letters, emails.
💰
Wage Garnishment
Your employer must stop deducting from your paycheck as of the filing date. Florida head-of-household wages are also protected under §222.11.
🏠
Foreclosure
Any pending foreclosure sale is halted — including Florida circuit court and DC Superior Court proceedings.
🚗
Repossession
Vehicle repossession is prohibited. Already repossessed? Recovery may be possible.
⚖
Lawsuits & Judgments
Active lawsuits are frozen and judgment enforcement is immediately prohibited.
🏦
Bank Levies
Creditors cannot seize funds from your bank accounts once the stay is in effect.
⚡
What If a Creditor Ignores the Stay?
Most bankruptcy attorneys file the petition and move on. Attorney Fraser monitors for stay violations — and when creditors willfully ignore the federal court order, he pursues them. Under 11 U.S.C. § 362(k), you may be entitled to actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees — paid by the creditor who violated your rights.
Your Options
Two Powerful Paths to a Fresh Start
Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debt in 4–6 months. Chapter 13 lets you keep your home, catch up on arrears, and repay on a structured plan. Both begin with immediate federal protection.
11 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.
Chapter 7
The fastest path to discharge. Most unsecured debt eliminated.
Time to discharge4 – 6 months
Credit cards & medical debtEliminated
FL homestead — Art. X, §4Unlimited*
FL vehicle — §222.25(2)$1,000
FL head of household — §222.11100% wages
Means test requiredIncome-based
Student loans§523(a)(8) review
Attorney fee — single filer (FL)$1,500
Attorney fee — married couple (FL)$1,750
Attorney fee — single filer (DC)$1,750
Attorney fee — married couple (DC)$2,000
Court filing fee$338
Total — FL single filer$1,838
Total — FL married couple$2,088
Flat fee — no hidden costs. Filing fee paid directly to the court. Student loan modifications, tax resolution, and mortgage modifications are quoted separately. Need time? Make payments at your own pace using our secure online payment portal. When the balance is paid in full, we file immediately.
Florida Advantage — Unlimited Homestead: Florida's homestead exemption under Article X, §4 of the Florida Constitution has no dollar cap on home equity — one of the most powerful exemptions in the country. Combined with head-of-household wage protection (§222.11) and the $1,000 vehicle exemption (§222.25(2)), Florida debtors often retain all major assets. DC filers may choose between federal exemptions (§522(d)) or DC's unlimited homestead under D.C. Code §15-501. Attorney Fraser analyzes both systems for every client before filing.
Free Screening Tool
Do You Qualify? Find Out in 3 Minutes.
Applies the official federal means test to your income and household. No account required. No credit check. 2026 DOJ median income data for Florida and DC.
Bankruptcy Eligibility Calculator
Step 1 of 5 — Jurisdiction
Where will you file?
Florida
1-person median: $4,901/mo
Washington, DC
1-person median: $6,881/mo
Household size — include yourself, spouse (even if not filing), and all dependents
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Enter average monthly gross income for the 6 months before filing. Include all household income. Enter 0 if not applicable.
Employment Income
Benefits & Other
Estimates are fine — this helps determine which chapter fits best.
Currently facing any of these?
Get Your Full Analysis
Enter your contact info to receive a personalized breakdown and schedule a free consultation with Attorney Fraser directly.
Full means test result vs. your FL / DC median
Estimated attorney fee and total filing cost
Chapter 13 plan payment estimate if applicable
Student loan discharge eligibility assessment
Same-day callback from Attorney Fraser — not a paralegal
🔒 Confidential. Attorney-client privilege applies from first contact.
✔
Confirmed — Attorney Fraser will be in touch.
Expect a personal call within one business day. Urgent? Call Florida direct: 954-451-0434
About Attorney Fraser
The Lawyer Behind Every Case
I became a bankruptcy attorney because I believed people in financial crisis deserved a real advocate — someone in the room when they need help most, not after the crisis has passed. Most people see bankruptcy as an end. I see it as a strategic financial tool used by some of the most famous leaders and innovators in history — Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, Mick Fleetwood, Marvin Gaye, Meat Loaf, 50 Cent, and MC Hammer all used bankruptcy to restructure and come back stronger — and I am honored to help you do the same. Financial collapse carries a shame the system does nothing to ease, but the law is powerful when someone who knows it is standing in your corner. A fresh start should feel like one.
✓
You work with Steven Fraser directly — always
No reassignment. No network. No handoffs. The attorney you hire handles your case start to finish.
✓
The only bankruptcy attorney who also fights back
FDCPA, FCRA, discharge injunction, automatic stay violations — actively pursued. Not a discharge mill.
✓
Admitted in eight federal courts — Florida and DC
Florida: U.S. Bankruptcy Courts & U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle & Southern Districts. DC: U.S. Bankruptcy Court & U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
✓
100% virtual — no office visits required
All consultations by phone or video. Documents via secure portal. Complete representation from home.
Most Bankruptcy Attorneys Stop at Discharge. Steven Fraser Doesn't.
Many firms consider their work complete when the discharge order enters. What happens after — how creditors treat you, how your credit report reflects the case, whether collectors respect the court's order — is not their concern. It is ours.
Post-Discharge Creditor Violations
Creditors who continue collecting on discharged debts violate the discharge injunction. Attorney Fraser pursues sanctions under §524 — including damages payable to you.
FDCPA — Debt Collector Violations
Harassment, misrepresentation, and illegal collection tactics may entitle you to statutory damages up to $1,000 plus attorney's fees from the collector.
FCRA — Credit Report Errors
Discharged debts that continue reporting as active balances are FCRA violations. We identify and dispute them aggressively on your behalf.
Automatic Stay Violations
Creditors who continue collection after your filing date face sanctions under §362(k) — actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees paid by the violating creditor.
The Bottom Line: You hired an attorney to protect you — not just to file paperwork. At Steven C. Fraser, P.A., the representation does not end at discharge. We monitor, we fight, and when creditors cross the line, we make them pay for it.
Legal Resource Center
Florida Bankruptcy Guides & Insights
Plain-English answers to the questions Florida residents actually ask
Chapter 7 · Apr 2026
Florida Chapter 7 Means Test: What the Numbers Actually Mean in 2026
The 2026 DOJ median income figures for Florida have shifted — and whether you fall above or below the line determines everything. Here's what the means test calculates and what happens if your income exceeds the median.
Florida's Unlimited Homestead Exemption: How to Keep Your Home in Bankruptcy
Florida's homestead exemption under Article X, §4 has no dollar cap on equity — one of the strongest protections in the country. Combined with the $1,000 vehicle exemption and head-of-household wage protection, Florida debtors often keep everything.
Bankruptcy After Divorce in Florida: What Your Divorce Attorney Didn't Tell You
Divorce decrees divide debt — but they don't bind creditors. If your ex stops paying a joint credit card, the creditor comes after you. Chapter 7 can eliminate that exposure entirely and give you a clean break your divorce decree couldn't deliver.
Chapter 7 is a liquidation bankruptcy under 11 U.S.C. §701 et seq. that eliminates most unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, payday loans — in 4 to 6 months. Florida's unlimited homestead exemption (Art. X, §4, FL Constitution) protects your home equity with no dollar cap if you have owned and resided in the property for at least 1,215 days before filing. The $1,000 vehicle exemption (§222.25(2)) and head-of-household wage protection (§222.11) provide additional layers.
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Florida?+
Attorney Fraser's flat fee for Chapter 7 in Florida is $1,500 for a single filer and $1,750 for a married couple, plus the $338 court filing fee. No hidden costs. Payment plans available through Confido Legal. The full fee must be paid before your case is filed, but you can pay at your own pace using our secure portal. When the balance is paid in full, we file immediately.
What is Chapter 13 — and who is it for?+
Chapter 13 is a federally supervised debt repayment plan under 11 U.S.C. §1301 et seq. You propose a 3-to-5-year plan paying creditors what they are legally entitled to — and nothing more. At plan completion, remaining eligible unsecured debt is discharged. It is designed for people with regular income who are behind on a mortgage, have assets to protect, or earn too much to qualify for Chapter 7.
How does Chapter 13 stop a foreclosure?+
The automatic stay halts any foreclosure sale instantly when you file — including one scheduled for the next morning. The plan cures all mortgage arrears over 36–60 months while you continue your regular mortgage payment. If you have a second mortgage and your home is worth less than the first mortgage balance, Chapter 13 can strip that second lien entirely upon plan completion.
What are Florida's bankruptcy exemptions?+
Florida filers use Florida state exemptions — the federal exemption system is not available in Florida. Key protections include: unlimited homestead exemption (Art. X, §4, FL Constitution) for your primary residence with no dollar cap; $1,000 motor vehicle exemption (§222.25(2)); head-of-household wage protection covering 100% of disposable earnings (§222.11); $1,000 personal property plus $4,000 wildcard if you don't claim homestead (§222.25); full protection of qualified retirement accounts, including IRAs, 401(k)s, and pensions (§222.21); and Florida prepaid college and 529 plans (§222.22).
Can I file bankruptcy after a divorce in Florida?+
Yes — and it may be the most important step you take after your divorce. Divorce decrees divide debt between spouses, but they do not bind creditors. If your ex-spouse was ordered to pay a joint credit card and stops paying, the creditor can pursue you for the full balance. Chapter 7 eliminates that exposure entirely. Attorney Fraser regularly represents post-divorce clients who discover that their divorce decree did not actually protect them from joint debt.
Is my Social Security income protected?+
Social Security income is excluded from the means test entirely under §101(10A)(B). It is not counted when determining whether you qualify for Chapter 7. Additionally, Social Security benefits deposited in a bank account are protected from creditor garnishment under federal law (42 U.S.C. §407). This makes Chapter 7 particularly accessible for retirees and individuals on fixed incomes.
What happens the day I file?+
The automatic stay under §362 takes effect the instant the petition is filed. Wage garnishments, bank levies, foreclosure sales, and collection calls must stop immediately. Creditors who continue collecting face sanctions under §362(k) — actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees paid by the violating creditor.
Do I qualify for Chapter 7? What is the means test?+
The means test compares your average monthly income over the past 6 months to Florida's median for your household size. Below the median: you automatically qualify. Above the median: a second calculation of IRS allowable expenses applies. Use the free calculator on this page for an instant estimate based on 2026 DOJ median income data.
Can my student loans be discharged?+
Recent DOJ guidance has created a real window under §523(a)(8) via an adversary proceeding. The DOJ now uses an attestation-based review weighing income, health, age, and repayment history. Both the Middle District of Florida and the DC Bankruptcy Court have granted student loan discharges. Attorney Fraser evaluates student loan discharge eligibility at every intake.
What if a creditor keeps calling after I file?+
That is a willful violation of the automatic stay, actionable under §362(k). You may be entitled to actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees paid by the violating creditor. Document every contact — date, time, caller ID, content of call — and contact Attorney Fraser immediately.
Do I have to go to court?+
For Chapter 7, you attend one brief 341 Meeting of Creditors — typically 10–15 minutes by phone or video — before a bankruptcy trustee. Most Chapter 7 clients never appear in a courtroom. Chapter 13 involves a confirmation hearing, but Attorney Fraser handles all court appearances. Proceedings in the Middle District of Florida are conducted virtually.
What debts cannot be discharged?+
Non-dischargeable debts include: domestic support obligations (child support, alimony), most student loans without an adversary proceeding, recent income taxes, debts arising from fraud or willful misconduct, and criminal fines. Credit cards, medical bills, payday loans, and most unsecured debts can be discharged.
Is my tax refund protected if I file bankruptcy in Florida?+
A tax refund is property of the bankruptcy estate under §541. Florida does not allow the federal wildcard, but strategic timing matters. Filing after you have received and spent the refund on reasonable living expenses eliminates trustee exposure. If your refund is pending at filing, Attorney Fraser will analyze your exemption options to maximize protection.
How is Attorney Fraser different from a national bankruptcy firm?+
National bankruptcy networks assign cases to attorneys you have never met and sometimes rotate through multiple attorneys per case. Attorney Fraser handles every case personally from first call to discharge — no handoff, no network, no reassignment. He also actively pursues creditor violations including FDCPA, FCRA, automatic stay violations, and discharge injunction violations.
Pay your retainer or filing fee securely online. Confido is a PCI-compliant, bar-approved payment platform. Credit card, debit card, and LawPay Pay Later (Affirm financing) accepted.
Your submission has been received. Attorney Fraser has been notified and will follow up within 72 hours. For a faster response, call the office directly during business hours: 877-862-7188.
⚠ Action required — your upload is not complete yet. Attorney Fraser cannot begin reviewing your matter until your documents are received. Please click the button below now to complete your upload.
A new tab will open. Upload your files, then return here if you have questions.
Powered by TitanFile · AES-256 encrypted · Up to 10 GB per file
Bankruptcy attorney serving all 67 Florida counties including: Alachua County, Baker County, Bay County, Bradford County, Brevard County, Broward County, Calhoun County, Charlotte County, Citrus County, Clay County, Collier County, Columbia County, DeSoto County, Dixie County, Duval County, Escambia County, Flagler County, Franklin County, Gadsden County, Gilchrist County, Glades County, Gulf County, Hamilton County, Hardee County, Hendry County, Hernando County, Highlands County, Hillsborough County, Holmes County, Indian River County, Jackson County, Jefferson County, Lafayette County, Lake County, Lee County, Leon County, Levy County, Liberty County, Madison County, Manatee County, Marion County, Martin County, Miami-Dade County, Monroe County, Nassau County, Okaloosa County, Okeechobee County, Orange County, Osceola County, Palm Beach County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, Polk County, Putnam County, Santa Rosa County, Sarasota County, Seminole County, St. Johns County, St. Lucie County, Sumter County, Suwannee County, Taylor County, Union County, Volusia County, Wakulla County, Walton County, Washington County.
Jacksonville bankruptcy lawyer, Orlando bankruptcy attorney, Tampa bankruptcy lawyer, Miami bankruptcy attorney, St. Petersburg bankruptcy, Fort Lauderdale bankruptcy, Tallahassee bankruptcy attorney, Gainesville bankruptcy lawyer, Pensacola bankruptcy, Daytona Beach bankruptcy, Lakeland bankruptcy attorney, Palm Bay bankruptcy, Cape Coral bankruptcy, Fort Myers bankruptcy lawyer, Port St. Lucie bankruptcy, Ocala bankruptcy attorney, Deltona bankruptcy, Kissimmee bankruptcy, Spring Hill bankruptcy, Palm Coast bankruptcy, Sanford bankruptcy.
Washington DC bankruptcy attorney serving: West End, Kalorama, Woodley Park, Cleveland Park, Glover Park, Forest Hills, Spring Valley, American University Park, Berkley, Foxhall, Palisades, Takoma, Brightwood, Crestwood, LeDroit Park, Ivy City, Trinidad, Eckington, Brentwood, Riggs Park, Fort Totten, Woodridge, Michigan Park, Congress Heights, Hillcrest, Barry Farm, Fort Davis, Bellevue, Buzzard Point, Near Southeast, Northwest DC, Northeast DC, Southeast DC, Southwest DC.
Bankruptcy defense against major debt buyers: Midland Credit Management, Midland Funding LLC, Portfolio Recovery Associates, LVNV Funding LLC, Cavalry SPV I LLC, Cavalry Portfolio Services, Jefferson Capital Systems LLC, Encore Capital Group, Asset Acceptance Capital Corp, CACH LLC, Sherman Financial Group, Unifin Inc, Crown Asset Management, Resurgent Capital Services, Second Round LP, CompuCredit Holdings, Asta Funding, MCM Capital Group, Pinnacle Financial Group, Cabot Financial, Radius Global Solutions.
Stop wage garnishment Florida, Florida head of household exemption, Section 222.11 Florida Statutes, head of household wage protection, creditor garnishment defense Jacksonville, wage levy defense Florida, bank account garnishment Florida, post-judgment garnishment defense, continuing writ of garnishment Florida, dissolution of writ of garnishment.
Bankruptcy after divorce Florida, joint debt after divorce, credit card debt after dissolution, divorce decree does not bind creditors, ex-spouse stopped paying joint debt, marital settlement agreement debt, equitable distribution debt allocation, bankruptcy to eliminate divorce debt, Chapter 7 after divorce Florida, post-divorce financial fresh start, alimony arrears bankruptcy, child support not dischargeable, domestic support obligation priority.
Social Security income protected in bankruptcy, bankruptcy for seniors Florida, retirement account protection Florida, 401k protected in bankruptcy, IRA protected Florida bankruptcy, pension exemption Florida, fixed income bankruptcy options, Social Security means test exclusion, bankruptcy on Social Security income Florida.
Student loan discharge Florida, Brunner test Middle District Florida, student loan adversary proceeding, DOJ attestation student loan, student loan bankruptcy Jacksonville, federal student loan discharge, Borrower Defense to Repayment, income-driven repayment bankruptcy.
Steven C. Fraser, P.A. provides Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, FDCPA, and FCRA representation throughout Florida and Washington, DC. Call 954-451-0434 for a free consultation.
