Financial trouble hits differently when hurricanes, oil industry layoffs, and unexpected medical bills all pile up at once, and Louisiana residents deal with exactly this combination more than most Americans. If you have family navigating serious debt in Louisiana, or you’re researching how the US bankruptcy system actually works, knowing which attorneys understand the state’s unique legal quirks can make the difference between a smooth fresh start and a process full of costly missteps.
Why Bankruptcy Works Differently in Louisiana
Louisiana’s legal system is rooted in civil law rather than the common law tradition used elsewhere in the US, and this affects how bankruptcy interacts with community property and asset protection. The state’s homestead exemption protects up to $35,000 in home equity, higher for properties up to five acres, but Louisiana does not allow filers to use the federal bankruptcy exemptions available in many other states. Filing for bankruptcy will also remain on your credit report for seven years under Chapter 13 or ten years under Chapter 7, which makes getting the filing strategy right the first time genuinely important.
1. Simon Fitzgerald, LLC
- Address: 4700 Line Ave #200, Shreveport, LA 71106, United States
- Phone: +13187700122
Recognized as Louisiana’s longest-standing bankruptcy firm, Simon Fitzgerald maintains offices in Shreveport, Alexandria, and Lafayette, giving them reach across a wide swath of the state beyond just the major metro areas. Attorney Karl Helo and his colleagues walk clients through every stage of the process and handle all communications with the court and creditors directly, which takes significant pressure off clients already dealing with financial stress. Their long institutional history means they’ve handled the full range of Chapter 7 liquidation and Chapter 13 reorganization cases across Louisiana’s varied economic conditions.
2. The Steffes Firm, LLC
- Address: 1370, 13702 Coursey Blvd #3, Baton Rouge, LA 70817, United States
- Phone: +12257511751
For nearly five decades, this Baton Rouge-based firm has functioned as trusted advisors and creative strategists while handling thousands of bankruptcy cases throughout the region. Their practice spans bankruptcy proceedings, insolvency matters, corporate reorganizations, and strategic workarounds for financially troubled individuals and entities. That kind of sustained, multi-generational presence in Baton Rouge reflects deep familiarity with how the Middle District of Louisiana’s bankruptcy court specifically operates.
3. Wiener, Weiss & Madison
- Address: 445 Louisiana Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, United States
- Phone: +12259304772
This firm helps families, individuals, and business owners across Baton Rouge achieve their financial goals through debt restructuring, Chapter 7 liquidation, and Chapter 11 reorganization, along with solutions for Chapter 12 and Chapter 13 filings. Shareholder Seth Moyers brings experience representing creditors during settlement and judicial collection proceedings in both Louisiana state courts and United States Bankruptcy Courts, giving the firm a genuinely two-sided understanding of how bankruptcy disputes unfold from both the debtor and creditor perspective.
4. William G. Cherbonnier, Attorney at Law
- Address: 2550 Belle Chasse Hwy, Gretna, LA 70053, United States
- Phone: +15043093304
A New Orleans native and graduate of Tulane University Law School, Cherbonnier maintains offices on both sides of the Mississippi River, serving clients throughout South Louisiana. His practice reflects deep local roots, having grown up on the West Bank and currently living on the East Bank, giving him firsthand familiarity with the communities he represents. The firm uses current technology to stay connected with clients throughout the bankruptcy process, which matters for filers juggling work schedules and financial stress simultaneously.
5. Big Easy Law Group (Jenny Abshier)
- Address: 3939 Veterans Memorial Blvd Ste 215, Metairie, LA 70002, United States
- Phone: +15044541414
Jenny Abshier began her bankruptcy practice in 2011 as a solo office before partnering with like-minded attorneys to form Big Easy Law Group, built specifically around compassion and accessibility. Her office has taken particular pride in providing options to reduce upfront costs required for filing bankruptcy, along with access to pro bono services when available for clients who genuinely cannot afford standard attorney fees. For New Orleans residents facing serious financial hardship, this affordability-first approach addresses one of the biggest barriers people face when they need bankruptcy protection but worry they can’t afford a lawyer to guide them through it.
FAQs
Q1. Can I keep my house if I file for bankruptcy in Louisiana?
A: Louisiana’s homestead exemption protects up to $35,000 in home equity, with a higher allowance for properties up to five acres, meaning many filers can keep their homes depending on their specific equity situation. An attorney can review your exact numbers to confirm whether your home is fully protected under this exemption.
Q2. What debts are not eliminated even after filing for bankruptcy?
A: Certain obligations like child support, alimony, student loans, criminal restitution, and debts from personal injury or death caused by a DUI generally remain your responsibility even after a bankruptcy discharge. An experienced attorney can review your specific debts to clarify exactly what will and won’t be eliminated in your case.
Q3. What’s the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
A: Chapter 7 is often called liquidation bankruptcy and typically suits individuals with limited income and few assets, while Chapter 13 is a reorganization bankruptcy that can help prevent foreclosure or repossession through a structured repayment plan. Your income level and specific financial goals usually determine which chapter is the better fit.
Q4. How long does bankruptcy stay on my credit report in Louisiana?
A: A Chapter 13 bankruptcy generally stays on your credit report for seven years, while Chapter 7 remains for ten years, and either can affect your ability to obtain credit, rent an apartment, or pass certain employment background checks. It’s worth discussing this long-term impact with an attorney before deciding which type of filing makes sense for your situation.
