Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman

Bankruptcy · Illinois

Rating: 3.9/5

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman logo

Chicago-based law firm specializing in bankruptcy, reorganization, and commercial litigation for businesses and individuals since 1969.

Official Website

https://www.cranesimon.com/

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman Review

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman is an established law firm headquartered in Chicago that has served clients across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and the United States for over 40 years. The firm was founded in 1969 and operates as a three-partner firm with two of-counsel attorneys, collectively offering more than 200 years of combined experience in insolvency and commercial law.

The firm's primary services focus on bankruptcy representation across multiple chapters (Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13), as well as related services including business reorganization, restructuring, insolvency workouts, and commercial litigation. They represent business debtors of all sizes, individual debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, estate representatives, and creditors' committees. One of their attorneys serves as a Chapter 7 trustee appointed by the United States Trustee's Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

What distinguishes this firm is their explicit commitment to exploring alternatives beyond bankruptcy filing. They position themselves as "financial problem-solvers" who evaluate workouts, negotiations, assignments for the benefit of creditors, and litigation alongside bankruptcy options. They specifically target small to midsize businesses, offering the depth and breadth of experience of larger firms while maintaining the cost-effectiveness and personalized attention typical of smaller operations. Attorneys regularly write and lecture on bankruptcy and reorganization topics.

This is a legitimate legal services firm, not a debt settlement or credit repair company. The main caveat is that as attorneys, they require formal engagement and will charge legal fees. They are most appropriate for clients who need professional legal representation in bankruptcy court or related insolvency matters, not for those seeking quick debt relief or credit repair services.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • Over 40 years of continuous operation since 1969 with established reputation
  • Collective 200+ years of attorney experience specifically in bankruptcy and insolvency law
  • One attorney serves as appointed Chapter 7 trustee for Northern District of Illinois
  • Explicitly evaluates bankruptcy alternatives (workouts, negotiations, assignments for benefit of creditors)
  • Focuses on small to midsize businesses, avoiding prohibitive large-firm fees
  • Attorneys are frequent writers and lecturers on bankruptcy and reorganization
  • Located in Chicago's financial district (LaSalle Street) with multi-state service area

Areas to Consider

  • !Attorney-based legal services with associated professional fees, not a budget solution
  • !Primary service is formal bankruptcy filing and litigation, not debt settlement or negotiation-first approaches
  • !Limited information on website about specific fee structures or cost transparency
  • !Not appropriate for consumers seeking quick credit repair or non-legal debt solutions
  • !Requires formal legal engagement process rather than immediate consumer-facing services

Verdict Summary

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman works best for consumers who value over 40 years of continuous operation since 1969 with established reputation and can accept the tradeoff of attorney-based legal services with associated professional fees, not a budget so. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

Credit Monitoring
All Three Bureaus
Goodwill Letters
Cease Desist Letters
Debt Validation
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman

Before signing up with any Bankruptcy provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman

Match these decision factors against Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Bankruptcy providers.

Category

Bankruptcy

Service scope

12 services listed

Geographic coverage

1 states

Match to your priorities

  • Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • Complexity priority: Consider Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman's stated strengths (Over 40 years of continuous operation since 1969 with established reputation) against your specific credit situation.
  • Timeline priority: Bankruptcy typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • Alternatives: Compare against all Bankruptcy providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details:
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman offer?

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman offers 12 services including Chapter 7 bankruptcy representation, Chapter 11 bankruptcy and reorganization, Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy filing, Business and commercial litigation, Bankruptcy litigation and contested matters, and 7 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman best suited for?

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman's profile signals suggest it may fit: Small to midsize business owners considering Chapter 7, 11, or 13 bankruptcy protection; Individual debtors with complex financial situations requiring legal representation in bankruptcy court; Creditors and creditors' committees seeking representation in bankruptcy proceedings; Business owners exploring restructuring and insolvency alternatives before or instead of bankruptcy. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman?

Key strengths: Over 40 years of continuous operation since 1969 with established reputation; Collective 200+ years of attorney experience specifically in bankruptcy and insolvency law; One attorney serves as appointed Chapter 7 trustee for Northern District of Illinois. Areas to consider: Attorney-based legal services with associated professional fees, not a budget solution; Primary service is formal bankruptcy filing and litigation, not debt settlement or negotiation-first approaches.

How does Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman compare to similar companies?

In the Bankruptcy category, comparable providers include Allmand Law, recovery-law-group, Weston Legal. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman operate?

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman serves customers in 1 states including Illinois. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman cost?

Listed pricing for Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman: monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Bankruptcy consumers in Illinois. It does not confirm that Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Consumer protection: Illinois Attorney General Consumer Protection Division

Credit and debt help rules in Illinois

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Illinois: Restricted

Usury cap: 36% APR cap on all consumer loans (Illinois Predatory Loan Prevention Act, 2021)

Complaint resources

State references

Illinois enacted the Predatory Loan Prevention Act in 2021, capping all consumer loans at 36% APR including fees, effectively banning traditional payday lending. The DFPR enforces comprehensive lending regulations. Consumers can file complaints online with DFPR or the Attorney General's office.

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Related Questions

Quick Summary

Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman — Bankruptcy in Illinois.

Overall rating: 3.9/5

Chicago-based law firm specializing in bankruptcy, reorganization, and commercial litigation for businesses and individuals since 1969.

Next Steps

  1. Compare Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit Crane, Simon, Clar & Goodman once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Bankruptcy providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters: Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example: You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.