Choosing the Right Bankruptcy Attorney in San Francisco

Use a Local Bankruptcy Attorney in San Francisco

A local San Francisco attorney explains the trade-offs between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, times a filing around foreclosure or garnishment risks, and follows Division-specific practices used at 450 Golden Gate Ave.—so your case moves smoothly on the right calendar and with the right trustee expectations.

San Francisco is famed for its steep hills, stunning bay views, and a thriving tech sector—but even in a strong economic hub, overwhelming debt can occur. If you’re struggling financially, knowing how to select the right bankruptcy attorney in San Francisco is crucial. A skilled lawyer can help you determine the best course of action—whether it’s Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or an alternative solution—ensuring a smoother path toward financial recovery.

Clear, Local Bankruptcy Guidance for San Francisco Residents

U.S. Bankruptcy Help connects San Francisco residents with independent, pre-screened bankruptcy attorneys who understand federal rules, California exemptions, and Northern District of California – San Francisco Division procedures.

How Bankruptcy in San Francisco Works

Bankruptcy is a federal court process that can erase certain debts or reorganize them under court supervision. California law decides what you can protect (exemptions), while the San Francisco Division sets local procedures, intake, and calendars for cases from San Francisco and San Mateo Counties.

San Francisco Bankruptcy Court Information.

Bankruptcy cases in San Francisco fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California. You can find specific details on San Francisco bankruptcy courts and procedures here. The address is also below:

Phillip Burton Federal Building & U.S. Courthouse
450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Hours: Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (drop box available).

Several bankruptcy judges preside over Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases at this courthouse. Chapter 7 Trustees in the Northern District oversee liquidation cases, while a standing Chapter 13 Trustee (for example, David Burchard or Hannah McCollum, depending on the case assignment) manages repayment plans for debtors with regular income. Always verify your assigned trustee and judge on official court documents or through the court’s website.

U.S. Trustee Serving San Francisco

In addition, the U.S. Trustee’s Office ensures compliance with bankruptcy laws. The local branch for San Francisco is part of Region 17:

Office of the U.S. Trustee
450 Golden Gate Avenue, 5th Floor, Suite #05-0153
San Francisco, CA 94102

This office oversees trustee appointments, reviews case filings, and ensures the integrity of the bankruptcy process in Northern California.

Your Two Main Consumer Bankruptcy Options in San Francisco

• Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Eliminates unsecured debts, such as credit cards and medical bills. California’s bankruptcy exemptions protect your assets. Learn all about Chapter 7 here.
• Chapter 13 Bankruptcy offers a discharge just like chapter 7, but after a 3 to 5 year payment plan. Find out more about Chapter 13 here.
• Chapter 11 bankruptcy is most used by San Francisco businesses, organizations, and individuals who are over the debt limit for chapter 13. It restructures debts while the business continues to run.
• California Bankruptcy Exemptions: If you are thinking about filing for bankruptcy in San Francisco, you will need to know the California bankruptcy exemptions, which protect your assets. Find out more about the bankruptcy exemptions used in San Francisco here.

California Bankruptcy Essentials for San Franciscans

Federal Process + California Protections

Bankruptcy is a federal process, but California exemptions and Division procedures determine what you keep and how your case progresses. While the U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides the overall rules, California law decides which assets can be protected, and the San Francisco Division applies its own local practices to manage filings, hearings, and trustee expectations. This combination shapes the timeline of your case and the level of protection available to you.

California Bankruptcy Exemption Choice (CCP 703 vs. CCP 704)

California gives filers two exemption systems: CCP 704, which often benefits homeowners with substantial equity, and CCP 703, which provides a more flexible approach that includes a wildcard exemption for cash, tax refunds, or personal property. The choice between the two depends on your assets and financial goals. In high-cost areas like San Francisco, the homestead exemption under CCP 704 can be especially significant, while renters or those without major home equity may find CCP 703’s wildcard more useful.

Homestead Protection

California links the homestead exemption to the median single-family home price in your county, subject to a statutory floor and cap that rise each year with inflation. As of 2025, the protected equity ranges from a minimum of $361,076 to a maximum of $722,507. Because San Francisco home values exceed the cap, residents filing under CCP §704 generally qualify for the full maximum protection. This means up to $722,507 of equity in a primary residence is shielded from creditors in bankruptcy, while any equity above that amount may still be at risk.

Why Hire a San Francisco Bankruptcy Lawyer?

San Francisco bankruptcy attorneys have:

• Familiarity with San Francisco Division intake, calendars, and judge practices.
• Experience with Trustee David Burchard’s documentation and payment expectations in Chapter 13 cases.
• Timing advice for Bay Area realities—RSUs/bonuses, HOA dues, property-tax cycles, and nonjudicial foreclosure timelines.
• Accurate filings that align with local rules and trustee requests to avoid delays.

By hiring an attorney familiar with the Northern District’s procedures, you can save time, minimize stress, and boost your odds of achieving the best possible outcome for your financial situation.

Selecting the Right Bankruptcy Attorney in San Francisco

When choosing a lawyer in San Francisco, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, look for someone who has recent experience with Division cases that involve Chapters 7 and 13, as this can really affect the outcome of your case. It’s also essential to have a clear written agreement about fees, so you know what to expect and avoid surprises later on.

Reading reviews from past clients can give you a good idea of how effective the lawyer is and what their style is like. Finally, it’s important to have open conversations about the risks, costs, and timelines involved in your case.

Considering these factors can help you find a lawyer who fits your needs and improves your chances of a successful outcome.

Step-by-Step Filing Example in San Francisco, CA

• Credit Counseling: Complete an approved course within 180 days before filing and keep the certificate for your petition.
• Prepare & File: Your attorney files your petition and schedules in the San Francisco Division; pro se filers follow clerk intake rules (in-person, mail, or drop box, as posted).
• Automatic Stay: Once filed, most collections, wage garnishments, bank levies, and foreclosure or HOA-lien sale steps are paused while the case proceeds.
• Trustee & §341 Meeting: You’ll answer straightforward questions under oath about your paperwork. In Chapter 13, Standing Trustee David E. Burchard conducts the meeting and administers plan payments.
• Debtor Education: Take the post-filing debtor-education course and file the completion certificate.
• Outcome: Chapter 7 typically concludes in a few months with a discharge of qualifying debts; Chapter 13 lasts three to five years and ends with discharge after plan completion.

The court’s website posts Local Rules, fee schedules, calendars, and clerk announcements that you and your attorney will follow during the case.

Preparing for Your First San Francisco Consultation

Bring recent pay stubs or other proof of income, the last two years of tax returns, bank statements, a complete list of creditors, and any collection or foreclosure notices—along with your questions about goals, costs, and timing.

Having these documents ready allows a San Francisco bankruptcy attorney to evaluate your eligibility for chapter 7 or chapter 13, spot potential red flags, and explain how local Division procedures may affect your case. Attorneys also use this information to assess exemptions under California law, identify risks to assets, and give a clearer estimate of the filing fee, trustee expectations, and the overall timeline.

The consultation is also your chance to share personal goals—such as protecting your home, car, or retirement savings—and to discuss how bankruptcy might align with those priorities. By arriving prepared, you make the most of the initial meeting and set the stage for a smoother filing process in the Northern District of California’s San Francisco Division.

Smart Questions to Ask a San Francisco Bankruptcy Attorney

• Which chapter fits my goals?
• Any risks to my home, car, RSUs, or recent transactions?
• What will the local trustee require before the §341 meeting?
• How do attorney fees and court fees work here?
• What happens over the next 30–60 days?

Urgent Problems a San Francisco Filing Can Address

• Foreclosure: Filing before the auction typically pauses the sale.
• Wage Garnishment: California caps what can be withheld; the stay generally stops active garnishments.
• Vehicle Repossession: The stay can halt or unwind a recent repossession while options are reviewed.
• Creditor Lawsuits: Most civil collection suits pause immediately after filing.

San Francisco Court & Trustee Quick Reference

Other Resources

• Bankruptcy Court Procedures in San Francisco

Rebuilding in San Francisco After Bankruptcy

Set a realistic Bay-Area budget, start a small emergency fund, use a secured card and pay it in full each month, set autopay for essentials, and check your credit reports to confirm discharged balances show $0.

Living costs in San Francisco can be high, so tracking housing, transportation, and everyday expenses helps you avoid falling back into debt. Even saving a modest cushion builds financial confidence and prepares you for unexpected bills. Responsible use of new credit—such as a secured card or small installment loan—helps establish a positive payment history, which is one of the fastest ways to rebuild credit after a filing.

It’s also important to review your credit reports with the major bureaus to confirm that debts discharged in bankruptcy are accurately reported. Errors can drag down your score and slow your recovery. By combining careful budgeting with consistent credit habits, San Francisco residents can restore their financial footing and work toward long-term stability in one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets.

Book Your Free San Francisco Bankruptcy Consultation

You don’t have to navigate bankruptcy alone. Talk confidentially with a pre-screened San Francisco bankruptcy attorney to understand eligibility, California exemptions, timelines, and next steps tailored to the Northern District of California – San Francisco Division.

Bankruptcy Success Stories in San Francisco

From Credit Card Strain to a Fresh Start in SoMa

A longtime South of Market resident had watched rising rents and everyday expenses swallow up her budget. Credit cards became the bridge between paychecks, but high interest rates quickly turned that bridge into a trap. After filing chapter 7 in the San Francisco Division, her unsecured credit card balances were wiped out, allowing her to redirect income toward stable housing and rebuild her credit with a secured card. Within two years she qualified for a conventional car loan at a fair interest rate.

Protecting a Family Home in the Sunset District

A couple in the Sunset had steady jobs but fell behind on mortgage payments after a medical emergency. Foreclosure notices began arriving, and the stress of losing their home became overwhelming. By filing chapter 13 in San Francisco, they were able to stop the foreclosure, catch up on past-due mortgage payments through a three-year repayment plan, and keep their family home. Today, they remain current on their mortgage and are gradually improving their credit.

Restarting a Small Business Dream in the Mission

An entrepreneur in the Mission District poured personal savings and credit into a retail startup, only to face unexpected shutdowns during economic downturns. The debt became unmanageable, threatening both his business and personal finances. A chapter 7 discharge through the Northern District of California cleared most of the unsecured debt. With the weight lifted, he regrouped, pursued part-time work, and eventually launched a new venture with more sustainable financing. Bankruptcy gave him the second chance needed to rebuild.

San Francisco Bankruptcy FAQ

Where will my San Francisco bankruptcy be filed?

Cases from the city are filed in the Northern District of California, San Francisco Division at 450 Golden Gate Avenue. Your paperwork, calendars, and trustee assignments will flow through this courthouse’s procedures.

Do I have to go to court in person in San Francisco?

Most people only attend a §341 “meeting of creditors,” which is run by a trustee—not a judge. Some matters may be handled by phone or video if authorized, but your attorney will confirm the format on your case.

Who is the Chapter 13 trustee for San Francisco cases?

San Francisco and Santa Rosa Chapter 13 cases are administered by Standing Trustee David E. Burchard. His office conducts §341 meetings, reviews documents, and provides payment instructions.

How do California exemptions work for San Francisco homeowners?

California’s homestead exemption protects a portion of equity in your primary residence, tied to county housing data within statutory limits. Your lawyer will apply the current San Francisco figure and choose between the 703 and 704 exemption systems based on your assets.

Can bankruptcy stop a scheduled foreclosure or HOA lien sale in San Francisco?

Filing triggers the automatic stay, which typically pauses a nonjudicial foreclosure or assessment-lien sale if the case is filed before the auction. Your attorney may also use Chapter 13 to cure mortgage arrears or structure HOA arrears over time.

I work in tech—what happens to RSUs, stock options, or bonuses in San Francisco?

Equity grants are assets and/or income, and their treatment depends on vesting dates and grant terms. Counsel can evaluate whether Chapter 7 is safe or whether Chapter 13 better protects value while meeting trustee requirements.

Will I lose my car or daily belongings if I file for bankruptcy in San Francisco?

Most filers keep a modest vehicle and household goods using California exemptions. If equity exceeds limits, Chapter 13 can often protect property through a repayment plan.

How long will a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 take in San Francisco?

A typical no-asset Chapter 7 takes a few months from filing to discharge. Chapter 13 lasts three to five years, ending with a discharge after plan completion.

Bankruyptcy Resources for your California City

We’ve created resources for individuals in major cities across California. Click below for more tailored information:

• Bakersfield
• Fresno
• Los Angeles
• Roseville
• Orange County
• Riverside
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• San Jose