Chapter 7 You Have Options. The Colpitts Law Firm is Here to Help You.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney in Broken Arrow

Board-Certified Chapter 7 Attorneys Serving All of Broken Arrow, OK

Broken Arrow spans both Tulsa and Wagoner counties, so a Chapter 7 filing here routes to either the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma or the Eastern District, depending on where you live within the city. The Colpitts Law Firm is admitted to practice in both districts and has filed more than 1,000 bankruptcy cases since Greggory T. Colpitts was admitted to the Oklahoma bar in 1991. That depth of practice, combined with board certification in consumer bankruptcy law, sets our attorneys apart from general practitioners in the area.

Chapter 7 is a federal process that discharges qualifying unsecured debts, including credit card balances, medical bills, payday loans, and personal loans. For many Broken Arrow residents, it can offer a faster, cleaner path to financial relief than years of debt settlement negotiations.

Ready to understand your options? Call our Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys at (918) 302-2662 for a free, confidential consultation with no upfront commitment.

Why Board Certification Matters for Your Chapter 7 Case

Board certification in consumer bankruptcy requires demonstrated competency beyond general bar admission. Fewer attorneys in the Broken Arrow area hold this credential, and it reflects a genuine commitment to this area of law rather than treating bankruptcy as a sideline practice.

Greggory T. Colpitts holds an LL.M. in Taxation from Southern Methodist University, giving him a background in both bankruptcy and tax law. That combination matters because discharged debt and debt settlement carry different tax consequences for filers. He also serves as State Chair for the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA), and our firm routinely exceeds the minimum continuing education requirements in bankruptcy law by at least double. Every consultation is confidential, and we tailor our approach to each client’s actual financial picture rather than applying a one-size-fits-all strategy.

What Chapter 7 Does the Moment You File

Filing Chapter 7 triggers an automatic stay, a court order that can immediately halt creditor collection calls, wage garnishment, foreclosure proceedings, and repossession. The stay takes effect when the case is filed.

Qualifying unsecured debts are discharged in full at the end of the process. Unlike forgiven balances in debt settlement, discharged amounts aren’t reportable as taxable income under federal law. Debt settlement, by contrast, can stretch over years, and any amount a creditor forgives may be treated as ordinary income by the IRS. A Chapter 7 discharge also gives your credit profile a defined starting point for recovery rather than extending a prolonged period of partial and missed payments.

The Chapter 7 Process for Broken Arrow Clients

We begin every engagement with a free consultation to review your income, debts, and property. Once you decide to move forward, here is what the process looks like:

Credit counseling: You complete an approved credit counseling course, roughly 90 minutes and available online or by phone. We provide approved provider information.
Electronic filing: We file your case electronically. The automatic stay takes effect immediately, and within a few days, we submit your most recent tax return, pay stubs, and any other trustee-requested documents.
341(a) meeting of creditors: Approximately 30 days after filing, you attend a brief meeting with the bankruptcy trustee. We prepare you beforehand, and an attorney is present for the entire meeting. These meetings typically last fewer than 15 minutes, and most creditors don’t appear.
Budget counseling & discharge: After the 341(a) meeting, you complete a short budget counseling course. Creditors then have approximately 60 days to object to discharge. Many Chapter 7 cases in Oklahoma run approximately 90 to 120 days from filing to discharge.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Broken Arrow Bankruptcy Lawyer

If you’re a Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, resident weighing Chapter 7, we want to help you understand what the process actually looks like for your specific situation before you commit to anything. Our consultations are free and completely confidential.

Our Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers are admitted in both the Northern and Eastern Districts of Oklahoma, so your county of residence within Broken Arrow won’t complicate where we can represent you. Call The Colpitts Law Firm at (918) 302-2662 or use our online contact form to schedule your consultation.

Chapter 7 Eligibility for Broken Arrow Filers

Not every filer qualifies for Chapter 7. Federal law requires passing a means test, which compares your average monthly income over the six months before filing to the Oklahoma median income for a household of your size. Filers below the median qualify automatically. If your income exceeds the median, you may still qualify by applying allowable expense deductions, including insurance premiums, medical costs, charitable contributions, and tax withholdings, to bring your net figure below the threshold.

Means Test Exemptions

Several categories of filers are exempt from the means test entirely:

Social Security income is excluded from the means test calculation
Disabled veterans whose debts were incurred primarily while on active duty or performing a homeland defense activity are exempt
Filers whose debts are primarily business-related are also exempt

Timing & Residency Requirements

Oklahoma filers must have lived in the state for at least six months before filing in either the Northern or Eastern District. If you received a prior Chapter 7 discharge, federal law requires an eight-year waiting period from that filing date before you can file Chapter 7 again. A prior Chapter 13 discharge requires a four-year wait. A previous filing doesn’t automatically disqualify you; eligibility depends on the chapter previously filed and the time elapsed. Federal law also requires completing a credit counseling course from a U.S. Trustee-approved agency within 180 days before filing.

Oklahoma Exemptions & What Broken Arrow Filers Typically Keep

Oklahoma’s bankruptcy exemptions are among the most favorable in the country for filers who have resided in the state for at least two years. In a typical Oklahoma Chapter 7 case, home equity, a vehicle, retirement accounts, clothing, and household furnishings may all fall within protected exemption limits. A court-appointed trustee is authorized to sell non-exempt assets, but in practice, many Oklahoma Chapter 7 filers keep the majority of what they own because of the state’s exemption structure.

Not all debts are dischargeable. Obligations that survive a Chapter 7 discharge include alimony and spousal support, child support, criminal fines and court-ordered restitution, most student loans (except in proven cases of undue hardship), and most recent income tax debts.

If you want to keep secured property such as a financed vehicle or furniture, a reaffirmation agreement can let you do so by agreeing to continue making payments on that debt. Signing one is voluntary, and whether it makes sense depends on your specific circumstances. It’s one of the decisions we review with every client during the process.

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How The Colpitts Law Firm Can Help You

Thousands of Cases Handled
American Board Certified
Extensive Knowledge of Bankruptcy Law
Almost Three Decades of Experience

Rave Reviews from Happy Clients

"THE BEST LAW OFFICE IN OKLAHOMA!"
My husband and I are transplants to Oklahoma from Florida and were so blessed to be referred to Greg and his law office. Not only did he handle our bankruptcy and got it discharged in 6 months, but he also helped us along the way with every step and gave the absolute best, and honest advice in our opinions. We had been working and paying another attorney in Florida for over 2 years and he didn't do half of what this office did in 6 months! If you need a trustworthy and professional law office to handle your case, please give this office a call. You will not be disappointed! They are a 5-star office and staff for sure!

- The Noles

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All consultations are confidential. Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment with an experienced, board certified attorney who can help you with your bankruptcy case.

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