Des Plaines bankruptcy lawyer
Making credit card payments and getting nowhere?
Bankruptcy can wipe out your credit card debt. Often the least expensive, least stressful way out of debt. The day your case is filed, federal law stops collection: lawsuits, garnishments, calls.
Free consultation for consumer cases. In person, Zoom or phone.
The credit card math
What the minimum payment costs
One card, $6,000 at 24.99%, paying only the minimum each month and charging nothing new:
- Time to pay it off
- 20 years, 9 months
- Interest paid
- $11,160
- Total repaid
- $17,160
An example, not anyone's case. It assumes a minimum of 1% of the balance plus that month's interest, never less than $25. Your creditor may use a different method.
Run your own numbersBankruptcy deals with the balance itself
In Chapter 7 there is no repayment plan and no monthly payment to the cards. I look at whether it fits you, and at what else does if it doesn't.
Arthur Corbin, your attorney
You work with me, start to finish
No phone trees, no secretaries, no 800 numbers.
I gather your information, prepare your case, file it and handle it to the end. You reach me by phone, text and email.
Meet Arthur →The roadmap
How I look at credit card debt
The first step with a debt problem is to meet a bankruptcy lawyer who considers all of your options. This is the order I take them in.
Chapter 7 is considered first
It can clear credit card debt with no repayment plan.
Understand Chapter 7 →Can you keep everything you own?
Illinois law protects a set amount of equity in a home, a car and belongings. We check yours before you file, not after.
Does your budget leave anything for the cards?
We go through your income and your living expenses and see what, if anything, is left for the credit cards.
The gateway is median income
Find your household size. Under the figure for your household, Chapter 7 is open to you on income.
Illinois median income, cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. Add $11,100 a year for each person over four. Household A year A month 1 person $73,180 $6,098.33 2 people $93,934 $7,827.83 3 people $113,625 $9,468.75 4 people $137,902 $11,491.83 5 people $149,002 $12,416.83 6 people $160,102 $13,341.83 Chapter 13, only if Chapter 7 is not possible or not recommended
A court payment plan, three to five years, on one monthly payment sized to your budget.
Understand Chapter 13 →
Start with the problem
What are you dealing with?
- Credit card debt
- Behind on the mortgage, or facing foreclosure
- Behind on the car loan
- Sued by a creditor
- Wage garnishment
- How Chapter 7 works
- How Chapter 13 works
- All of your options, compared
Before you call
Common questions
The case appears on your credit reports, and each account included in it is marked as discharged in bankruptcy. The cards you list are closed. We go over what that means for you, and what comes after, at the consultation.
Bankruptcy is likely the least expensive solution to debt you cannot pay down. The fee depends on the chapter and on your situation, and we go over it at the consultation, before you commit to anything. Consumer cases start with a free consultation.
No. The consultation helps you understand your options. You decide whether to move forward.
Yes. Scheduled consultations are available by phone, Zoom or in person. A consultation agreement is signed first. Only the scheduled consultation is confidential.
Call me, or schedule a consultation
Free consultation for consumer cases. In person, Zoom or phone. If you leave a message, please leave only your name and number.