Atlanta serves as the financial hub of the Southeast, and its bankruptcy courts — primarily the Northern District of Georgia based in downtown Atlanta — handle one of the highest volumes of consumer and business bankruptcy filings in the country. The city’s diverse economy, which spans tech, logistics, film production, and hospitality, means bankruptcy practitioners encounter everything from individual Chapter 7 wage earner cases to complex Chapter 11 business reorganizations. Georgia’s bankruptcy exemptions, including the homestead exemption and wildcard exemption, differ from federal exemptions, so local expertise is essential for maximizing asset protection. Economic cycles tied to Atlanta’s rapid population growth and periodic downturns in sectors like commercial real estate keep steady demand for experienced bankruptcy counsel.
When selecting a bankruptcy attorney in Atlanta, verify that they are admitted to practice in the Northern District of Georgia and have filed cases in that specific court, not merely in other districts. Ask whether the attorney personally reviews and files your case or delegates it to less experienced staff. Confirm the total cost upfront, including court filing fees, credit counseling course fees, and attorney fees, which for a standard Chapter 7 case typically run $1,000 to $2,500 in the Atlanta market. Red flags include attorneys who pressure you into a specific chapter without a thorough analysis of your income, assets, and creditor types, and firms where you cannot reach the filing attorney directly.
Top Bankruptcy Attorney Companies in Atlanta
1. King & King Bankruptcy Attorneys
Founded: 1979
Leadership: Karen King
Address: 215 Pryor St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 524-6400
Website: https://www.kingandkingattorneys.com
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM-1:00 PM
Services:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy
- Home foreclosure prevention
- Car repossession defense
- Wage garnishment stoppage
- Credit restoration guidance
About: Founded in 1979, King & King is one of the longest-operating bankruptcy firms in Atlanta and has been a family-owned practice under Karen King’s leadership. The firm has helped thousands of Georgia residents navigate Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13 filings over more than four decades. Their three office locations in downtown Atlanta, Marietta, and Lawrenceville make them accessible across the metro area. The firm offers free initial consultations and focuses on helping individuals avoid home foreclosure and car repossession through strategic bankruptcy planning.
2. Saedi Law Group
Founded: 2002
Leadership: Lorena Saedi
Address: Atlanta, GA
Phone: (404) 919-7296
Website: https://www.georgiabankruptcylawgroup.com
Awards & Recognition: Super Lawyers selection (consecutive years); Top 10 Bankruptcy Lawyer in Georgia; Georgia Legal Elite in Bankruptcy Award; Avvo perfect 10/10 rating
Services:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy
- Foreclosure stoppage
- Repossession defense
- Tax lien resolution
- Support warrant defense
- Garnishment defense
About: Lorena Saedi founded Saedi Law Group after earning her J.D. from Emory University School of Law and gaining experience at both a large Atlanta corporate firm and a consumer bankruptcy practice. Since 2002 she has concentrated exclusively on consumer bankruptcy and has personally reviewed, approved, and filed every case handled by her firm. She has developed proprietary technology systems that streamline the bankruptcy process and reduce costs passed on to clients. The firm offers free consultations and operates with a no-office-visit option for clients across Georgia.
3. Burrow & Associates
Address: Atlanta, GA (offices in Athens, Conyers, Duluth, Morrow, Kennesaw, and Gainesville)
Phone: (678) 323-2394
Website: https://www.legalatlanta.com
Services:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy
- Multi-district Georgia bankruptcy filings
- Debt relief counseling
- Foreclosure defense
About: Burrow & Associates has operated as a recognized bankruptcy firm in Atlanta for over twenty years, building a reputation for accessibility across all three Georgia federal bankruptcy districts — Northern, Middle, and Southern. This multi-district capability is unusual among Atlanta bankruptcy firms and benefits clients with property or creditor issues spanning different parts of the state. The firm maintains offices across the Atlanta metro area, making in-person consultations convenient for residents throughout suburban Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Cobb counties. They offer a judgment-free approach and free initial consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for my situation in Atlanta?
A: Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debt quickly — typically within three to four months — but requires passing the Georgia means test based on median income and is not available if you have significant non-exempt assets you want to keep. Chapter 13 creates a three-to-five-year repayment plan and is better suited for homeowners in Atlanta who are behind on mortgage payments and want to stop foreclosure while catching up on arrears. A qualified Atlanta bankruptcy attorney should analyze your income, assets, and the nature of your debts before recommending either chapter.
Q: What does it cost to file bankruptcy with an attorney in Atlanta?
A: For a Chapter 7 filing in Atlanta, total costs typically range from $1,500 to $2,500, including the court filing fee of $338 and attorney fees. Chapter 13 is more complex, and attorney fees are commonly in the $3,000 to $4,500 range, though a portion is typically paid through the repayment plan after filing. The Northern District of Georgia also requires completion of an approved credit counseling course before filing and a debtor education course before discharge, which add $25 to $50 each.
Q: Will filing bankruptcy stop a foreclosure or wage garnishment in Atlanta?
A: Yes. The automatic stay that goes into effect immediately upon filing bankruptcy stops most collection actions, including foreclosure sales, wage garnishments, repossessions, and creditor lawsuits. In Atlanta, where the foreclosure process moves quickly under Georgia’s non-judicial foreclosure law, timing a bankruptcy filing strategically — even days before a scheduled foreclosure sale — can halt the sale and give you time to pursue a Chapter 13 repayment plan to save your home.
Conclusion
Atlanta’s high volume of bankruptcy filings and the complexity of Georgia’s exemption laws make local expertise critical when choosing a bankruptcy attorney. King & King brings over four decades of continuous Atlanta practice and multi-location accessibility. Saedi Law Group offers technology-enabled efficiency, personal attorney oversight, and strong credentials from Emory Law. Burrow & Associates provides rare multi-district Georgia coverage for clients with statewide needs. Contact any of these firms for a free consultation to assess your options.