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Chicago-area bankruptcy law firm specializing in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings with flat-fee pricing starting at $425 down and a 99.5% Chapter 7 discharge rate.
Data compiled from public sources
Gleason and Gleason is a bankruptcy law firm based in the Chicago area with two office locations in Oak Lawn and Bolingbrook, Illinois. Founded by Troy and Julie Gleason, the firm has over 20 years of experience exclusively practicing bankruptcy law—they handle no other legal services. The firm has processed over 10,000 bankruptcy cases and maintains daily appearances before Chicago bankruptcy court judges and trustees, giving them deep familiarity with local court procedures and personnel.
The firm offers comprehensive Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy services. For Chapter 7 cases, they advertise a three-payment structure with only $425 due at filing to achieve automatic stay protection, with the remaining $850 balance split into either two monthly payments of $425 or four payments of $212.50. Their total flat fee is $1,275 (attorney fees of $937 plus court costs of $338). For Chapter 13 cases, they require a smaller initial down payment with remaining fees incorporated into the court-supervised repayment plan. Services include initial consultation, pre-bankruptcy credit counseling coordination, petition filing, automatic stay implementation, post-filing financial management course completion, hearing representation (including virtual Zoom options), and discharge processing. They also offer listed guidance on Chicago parking and camera tickets under their "Fresh Start" program, which addresses tickets older and newer than three years differently.
Gleason and Gleason differentiates itself primarily through direct attorney access and aggressive scheduling availability. All three licensed Illinois bankruptcy attorneys—Julie Gleason, Troy Gleason, and David Gallagher—personally answer phones rather than using call services, answering machines, or paralegals. The firm explicitly positions this as their primary competitive advantage, noting that client complaints about other firms center on inability to reach actual attorneys. They offer appointments during evenings and weekends to accommodate working clients. Their 99.5% Chapter 7 discharge success rate and the statistic that over 60% of new clients arrive through friend or family referrals suggest strong client satisfaction and repeat referral patterns.
For consumers specifically seeking affordable bankruptcy relief in the Chicago area, Gleason and Gleason presents a legitimate option with listed flat-fee pricing and documented experience. The main caveat is that they are a boutique bankruptcy firm with limited geographic reach—they service only the Chicago metropolitan area. Their extremely low initial payment ($425) is genuinely accessible but requires commitment to the remaining payment schedule. Clients should verify that their specific debt situation (assets, income level, etc.) qualifies for the Chapter 7 process they emphasize, as not all consumers qualify. The firm's marketing heavily emphasizes cost and accessibility, which may appeal to financially stressed consumers, but bankruptcy is a serious legal process requiring careful evaluation of long-term credit consequences.
This is state-level context for Bankruptcy Services consumers in Chicago, IL. It does not confirm that Gleason and Gleason or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Consumer protection
Relevant law: Illinois Credit Services Organization Act (815 ILCS 605/1 et seq.)
Registration: Required with Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Upfront fees: Listed as prohibited in the current CreditDoc state summary
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Gleason and Gleason offers 12 services including Chapter 7 bankruptcy consultation and representation, Chapter 13 bankruptcy (repayment plan) consultation and representation, Pre-bankruptcy credit counseling coordination, Bankruptcy petition drafting and court filing, Automatic stay implementation to halt collection calls and lawsuits, and 7 more.
Gleason and Gleason has profile signals associated with Chicago-area consumers with high-debt credit card and medical debt who need immediate collection call relief and qualify for Chapter 7 discharge, Working professionals unable to meet daytime appointment hours who need evening/weekend bankruptcy consultation and representation, Consumers with limited cash flow who cannot afford traditional $3,000-$5,000 bankruptcy attorney retainers and need a 3-payment option, Chicago residents burdened by local parking tickets, camera tickets, or city taxes seeking listed guidance on dischargeability under Illinois Fresh Start rules.
Key strengths: Only $425 down payment to file Chapter 7 and trigger automatic stay protection—eliminates collection calls and lawsuits immediately; listed flat-fee pricing of $1,275 total (attorney fees + court costs) with flexible payment plans (2-4 months); 99.5% Chapter 7 discharge success rate based on handling over 10,000 cases across 20+ years. Areas to consider: Geographic limitation: Only serves Chicago metropolitan area (Oak Lawn and Bolingbrook offices)—not accessible to consumers outside Illinois; Chapter 7 emphasis may create misalignment for consumers who actually need Chapter 13 protection (asset preservation, ongoing income) but are steered toward cheaper Chapter 7 option.
In the Bankruptcy Services category, comparable providers include Bankruptcy Center of Illinois, Peter Francis Geraci Law L.L.C., Peter Francis Geraci Law L.L.C.. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Gleason and Gleason is profile signals for Chicago-area consumers seeking rapid, affordable Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief who need immediate collection call cessation and can commit to a 3-payment structure. The main caveat is that bankruptcy is a 7-10 year credit consequence, geographic service is limited to Chicago, and consumers must qualify for Chapter 7 based on income/means testing—not all financially distressed people are eligible candidates.
Chicago-area bankruptcy law firm specializing in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings for individuals, families, and small business owners facing debt and foreclosure.
Profile signals: Illinois homeowners facing foreclosure who need automatic stay protection and repayment alternatives, Individuals with income above state median seeking Chapter 13 reorganization to protect assets over 3-5 years
Chicago-based bankruptcy law firm filing Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. One of the Midwest's largest consumer bankruptcy practices.
Profile signals: Illinois, Indiana, or Wisconsin residents unable to repay unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, or payday loans, Individuals facing imminent wage garnishment, foreclosure, vehicle repossession, or creditor lawsuits
One of the Midwest's largest consumer bankruptcy law firms, handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings across Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin since 1977.
Profile signals: Illinois, Indiana, or Wisconsin consumers facing imminent wage garnishment, active creditor lawsuits, or vehicle repossession who need immediate legal protection, Homeowners facing foreclosure or a scheduled sheriff sale who need to halt proceedings through Chapter 13
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Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
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.
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).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against high-cost lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and are required to stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you may have a right to sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and has obtained a judgment.
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.
Example
You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.
A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.
Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.
Example
You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.
A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.
Chapter 13 may be more relevant than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.
Example
You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.
A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income is generally required to be below your state's median to qualify.
Example
You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Consolidation is generally most useful when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.
Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.
Example
You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.
Example
A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and has obtained a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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