Can Chapter 13 Save a Home From Foreclosure in Cook County?

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Protecting Your Home: How Chapter 13 Can Stop Foreclosure in Cook County If you are a Cook County homeowner facing foreclosure, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may offer a powerful legal tool to stop the process and keep your home. Illinois is a judicial foreclosure state, meaning your lender must file a lawsuit and obtain a court […]

More Than 574,000 Bankruptcies Filed in 2025: Is Chapter 13 Right?

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Bankruptcy Filings Are Surging: What Chicago Residents Need to Know The numbers tell a striking story. Annual bankruptcy filings totaled 574,314 in the year ending December 2025, compared with 517,308 cases the previous year, representing an 11 percent increase, with non-business filings driving most growth. This marks a roughly 27% increase from 2023 levels. For […]

Can Medical Bills Be Discharged in Cook County Chapter 7?

Yes, medical bills can generally be discharged through Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Cook County. Medical debt is classified as unsecured, non-priority debt under the Bankruptcy Code, meaning it does not fall into categories of obligations that survive a Chapter 7 discharge. Unlike certain tax debts, domestic support obligations, and other debts Congress has explicitly excluded […]

What Happens at a Chapter 7 341 Meeting in Chicago?

If you are filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Chicago, one of the most important steps is the 341 meeting of creditors. This brief hearing, typically lasting five to ten minutes, serves as a formal check-in where a bankruptcy trustee verifies your identity and confirms that your bankruptcy papers are accurate and complete. For many […]

What Happens at a Chapter 13 Creditors Meeting in Cook County?

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If you are filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Cook County, understanding the meeting of creditors (341 meeting) is crucial. This mandatory hearing is not a courtroom trial but a brief proceeding where the assigned Chapter 13 trustee asks you questions under oath about your finances, debts, and proposed repayment plan. For filers in Cook […]