Bankruptcy / Texas / Kerrville

Filing Bankruptcy in Kerrville: 7 Things You Need to Know

Written by Ben Tejes
Updated Nov 27th, 2023

You are considering filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Kerrville. Bankruptcy is a common debt relief choice. In fact, many people in Texas have received bankruptcy relief, and Kerrville is no different. In fact, there were 20,450 bankruptcies filed in Texas in the year ending June 30, 2021 (Source). With a population of 23754, I’d estimate a fair number of those were in Kerrville.

The purpose of this article is to provide an extensive list of filing bankruptcy in Kerrville including:

  1. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Kerrville
  2. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Kerrville
  3. Kerrville Bankruptcy Attorney Fees
  4. Finding a Reputable Bankruptcy Lawyer in Kerrville
  5. Estimating Loss of Belonging (i.e.
  6. Getting Bankruptcy Help in Kerrville
  7. Bankruptcy Alternatives and Conclusion

Without further ado, let’s get started with Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Kerrville

Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most common consumer bankruptcy in the United States. People appreciate the simplicity of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the cost of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and the speed of debt relief. For example, in Kerrville, you could get debt relief in about 120 days with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

One of the challenges of Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Kerrville is that you have to qualify. In order to qualify in Kerrville, you often have to pass the Texas bankruptcy means test. You can estimate that qualification below in Kerrville. Let’s cover how you can qualify.

Chapter 7 Qualification

The first part of the means test is to understand your income in relation to the median income levels for Texas. It considers the average family size and income.

To estimate your qualification, you can take the Kerrville Chapter 7 qualification calculator below that is specific to Kerrville.

Finally, the most recent Texas median income levels is for cases filed on or after November 1, 2023, and can be found below. 

# of PeopleAnnual Income
1$59,030
2$76,712
3$86,290
4$104,562
5$114,462
6$124,362
7$134,262
8$144,162
9$154,062

If your income exceeds the median, you can move on to the second part of the means test to estimate qualification. The second part of the means test is to understand your actual expenses. You can check out our guide covering trying to qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy above the median.

For example, the average median rent amount in Kerrville is $874, but let's say your rent is almost double that amount. Could you potentially still qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy because of those additional expenses? What you are able to state as ab expense is limited, and you can refer to the current national standard for the maximum amounts, but you may want to speak with your attorney about this situation.

Which Could Would You File In If You Live In Kerrville?

Kerrville is located in the Texas Western district, so our understanding is that you would be filing your bankruptcy in the San Antonio bankruptcy court. Here's the estimated information we have for your court:

San Antonio Bankruptcy Court
Address: 615 E Houston St #597, San Antonio, TX 78205
Phone: (210) 472-6720

Does that mean you would have to drive to court?

Not necessarily. 

Please note that main meeting for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the 341 meeting of creditors, which is often online via Zoom or another teleconference after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

Chapter 13 bankruptcy is known as a wage-earner bankruptcy. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a voluntary reorganization of debt.  In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the individual has debt that they can no longer manage and often own assets that exceed state and/or federal relief. Folks file Chapter 13 bankruptcy often when they do not qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  

Most individuals in Kerrville will qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy as long as they are below the debt limits.

Compared to Chapter 7, there is no liquidation in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. Although, the discharge won’t be until around 3 to 5 years. The Chapter 13 bankruptcy will stay on your credit report for 7 years.

Kerrville Bankruptcy Attorney Fees

When looking for a bankruptcy attorney, we recommend that you look for these 5 attributes: Rate, Reliability, Referrals, Reviews, and Relevancy. You can check our guide to find a top bankruptcy attorney in Kerrville.

The estimated Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer fee in Kerrville is: $1777 - $2642.

The estimated Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer fee in Kerrville is: $2500 and $3825. The Chapter 13 attorney fee is often set across the district, meaning that all Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys in a district may charge around the same fee.

Kerrville Bankruptcy Attorneys

One of the most important things to do is to find a reputable bankruptcy attorney in Kerrville if you decide to hire one. This is legal advice related to finances that are going to affect your future. For example, making sure you are in the right bankruptcy chapter (Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13) could cost you thousands more and take you years longer.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer

As stated above, Kerrville has a population of 23754. In many cases, individuals in larger cities such as Houston or San Antonio would like a bankruptcy lawyer close by. In smaller cities, I have found that individuals have questions about whether the bankruptcy will show up in the newspaper or whether friends will hear about it. This is a valid question.

Regardless, you can check the Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyers in or near Kerrville using the table below. You just need to input your zip code, and voila, you can choose which Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer you would like to speak to near or far away from Kerrville in a free bankruptcy lawyer consultation

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Lawyer

Filing a Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Kerrville may be a bit more intensive, so you may consider a Chapter 13 bankruptcy that is closer to you. That said, with the internet and the pandemic, many of the meetings are now online and you can generally submit your documentation online as well.

How much a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney often charges is based on what's called a no-look fee. We do our best to track the Chapter 13 attorney fee in Kerrville.

Bankruptcy Exemptions in Texas

As you live in Kerrville, you are often able to use the Texas bankruptcy exemptions to help you keep your belongings.

One of the biggest questions people have is whether they are able to keep their homes in bankruptcy. This is where bankruptcy exemptions come into play. As Kerrville has a home ownership % of 59.3% and an estimated estimated home value of $181747, you can understand that many people want to keep this asset. You can often keep your assets using bankruptcy exemptions.

Here are the Texas bankruptcy exemptions. The exemptions are revised on different occasions, so you may wish to check the most current information on exemptions. Also, as a reference, Texas is a place that allows you to use federal bankruptcy exemptions. You often have to choose which one to use, so a bankruptcy attorney can help you with that option.

Homestead Exemption

The homestead exemption is often broken down by age and whether you are married. 

  • Single and under 65: Infinite
  • Single is 65 or older: Infinite
  • Married and under 65: Infinite
  • Married is 65 or older: Infinite

Texas specific homestead bankruptcy exemption text: “Tex. Const. Art. XVI, §§ 50, 51; Tex. Prop. Code §§ 41.001 to 002. Unlimited for 100 acres rural (single) / 200 acres rural (family), 1 acre urban. sale proceeds exempt for 6 months after sale (renting okay if another home not acquired, Prop. 41.003). Must file homestead declaration, or court will file it for you for a fee. Due to Enron executives keeping multi-million dollar mansions, those convicted of securities violations are capped at $125,000.” (Source)

Automobile Exemption

The automobile bankruptcy exemption in Texas is Infinite.

Jewelry Exemption

The jewelry bankruptcy exemption in Texas is $12,500.

Personal Property Exemption

The personal property bankruptcy exemption in Texas is $50,000.

Special Exemption Handling for Texas

Below is specific special handling of bankruptcy exemptions in Texas.

  • Jewelry: up to $25,000 for a family
  • Personal: up to $100,000 if you have a family

Bankruptcy Help in Kerrville

Unemployment can cause both frustration and angst about options. The most recent statistic I found is that the Kerrville unemployment rate is 4.6%. There may be resources available to help. In addition to the unemployment rate, Kerrville has a disability rate of 18.9%. As such, if you are truly in need and don’t have income, there are resources that may be available that can help you.

Check out the legal aid and free resources that may be available in Kerrville.

Legal Aid and Free Resources

Here are some legal aid resources that may be helpful to you in Kerrville.

The bankruptcy court and district may have free resources that are available to you. I have included the information below. 

Lastly, Kerrville also has a limited English rate of 1.3% and a poverty rate of 13.1%. If you have limited English, you may check out the court websites for Texas for additional information on how you can be served. You can also see how filing bankruptcy without an attorney can work if you cannot afford a bankruptcy lawyer.

Courts and Districts in Texas

Northern District

  • 341 Pine Street, Room 2008
    Abilene, TX 79601
  • 205 SE 5th Avenue, Room 133
    Amarillo, TX 79101-1559
  • 1100 Commerce Street, Room 1452
    Dallas, TX 75242
  • 501 West 10th Street, Room 310
    Fort Worth, TX 76102-3673
  • 1205 Texas Avenue, Room 209
    Lubbock, TX 79401-4091
  • 33 E. Twohig Avenue, Room 202
    San Angelo, TX 76903-6451
  • 1000 Lamar Street, Room 203
    Wichita Falls, TX 76301

Southern

  • 600 E. Harrison St.
    Brownsville, TX 78520
  • 1133 N. Shoreline Blvd.
    Corpus Christi, TX 78401
  • 601 Rosenberg
    Galveston, TX 77550
  • 515 Rusk Street
    Houston, TX 77002
  • 1300 Victoria St.
    Laredo, TX 78040
  • 1701 W. Business Hwy 83
    McAllen, TX 78501
  • 312 S. Main, Room 406
    Victoria, TX 77901

Eastern

  • 300 Willow Street Suite 104
    Beaumont, Texas 77701
  • 104 North Third Street
    Lufkin, Texas 75901
  • 100 East Houston Street Room 125
    Marshall, Texas 75670
  • 500 North State Line Avenue
    Texarkana, Texas 75501
  • 211 West Ferguson Street Room 106
    Tyler, Texas 75702

Western

  • 2450 State Hwy. 118
    Alpine, Texas 79830
  • 501 West Fifth Street, Suite 1100
    Austin, Texas 78701
  • 111 East Broadway, Room L100
    Del Rio, Texas 78840
  • 525 Magoffin Avenue, Suite 105
    El Paso, Texas 79901
  • MG Williams Justice Center
    Bldg. 5794, Tank Destroyer Blvd.
  • 200 East Wall, Room 222
    Midland, Texas 79701
  • 410 South Cedar
    Pecos, Texas 79772
  • 655 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., Room G65
    San Antonio, Texas 78206

Debt Settlement in Kerrville

One of the most common alternatives to bankruptcy is debt settlement. A debt settlement firm would negotiate for a lower amount due on your debt in the case of financial hardship. The goal would be to reduce your debt in half. In this case, you would have a lower monthly payment.

If you are looking at debt settlement in Kerrville, you may want to consider a national debt settlement firm to a local one in Kerrville. For example, most of your creditors are probably national banks instead of local Kerrville banks. As such, you can potentially get lower fees by using a national firm. You should strongly consider the pros and cons and credit score impact before taking the plunge as Ascend only recommends 2 debt settlement firms nationwide that both offer free phone evaluations.

Conclusion

Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Kerrville can provide debt relief. That said, you may want to consider the cost of bankruptcy in Kerrville, the different bankruptcy chapters, reputable attorneys in Kerrville and alternatives to help you make the most informed decision. 

You can also take our Chapter 7 vs Chapter calculator below to help you estimate the cost and qualification of Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Kerrville.