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Solo bankruptcy attorney in San Antonio licensed since 1985, handling Chapter 7, Chapter 13, business, and creditor-debtor litigation with federal court admittance.
Data compiled from public sources
Michael James O'Connor is a solo bankruptcy practitioner based in San Antonio, Texas, with nearly 40 years of legal experience. Licensed by the State Bar of Texas since November 1985 and educated at St. Mary's University School of Law, he maintains a solo practice focused on consumer and business insolvency matters. His practice is geographically centered in San Antonio but extends to multiple federal jurisdictions through court admittance across Texas districts.
O'Connor offers comprehensive bankruptcy and related legal services, including Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy, Chapter 13 wage-earner plans, business bankruptcy, creditor-debtor law, commercial litigation, and appellate civil matters. His federal court admittances include the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Texas Southern District/Bankruptcy Court, Texas Western Bankruptcy Court, and Texas Western District Court, enabling him to represent clients across multiple Texas bankruptcy venues. The firm accepts various fee arrangements including hourly rates, flat fees, payment plans, and sliding scale fees based on client ability to pay.
As a solo practitioner with no reported public disciplinary history, O'Connor brings continuity and direct attorney access rather than delegating work to junior associates. His dual experience context in bankruptcy and commercial litigation distinguishes him from bankruptcy-only practitioners, allowing him to address complex cases involving business assets or creditor litigation. The practice has been established long enough to develop substantial bankruptcy court relationships and procedural knowledge in multiple Texas federal districts.
The primary limitation is that as a solo practice with no reported staff or firm structure, capacity may be limited during high-volume periods. The website does not specify fee ranges, specific bankruptcy filing costs, or typical timelines, requiring direct contact for pricing. Clients should note that fee options are negotiable but not guaranteed across all case types.
This is state-level context for Bankruptcy Services consumers in San Antonio, TX. It does not confirm that Michael J. O'Connor Law Office or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner
Consumer protection
Relevant law: Texas Credit Services Organization Act (Tex. Fin. Code Ch. 393 (§ 393.001 et seq.))
Registration: Required with Texas Secretary of State
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.
Michael J. O'Connor Law Office offers 12 services including Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation), Chapter 13 bankruptcy (wage-earner plans), Business bankruptcy filings, Creditor-debtor law and negotiations, Commercial litigation representation, and 7 more.
Michael J. O'Connor Law Office has profile signals associated with Texas consumers (primarily San Antonio area) facing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy who want direct attorney contact, Business owners and creditors needing both bankruptcy counsel and commercial litigation representation, Clients with limited means who qualify for sliding scale fee arrangements based on income, Litigants needing appellate civil representation in conjunction with bankruptcy matters.
Key strengths: Licensed continuously since 1985 with nearly 40 years of bankruptcy practice experience; Admitted to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and three separate Texas federal courts (Southern District, Western Bankruptcy, Western District); No public disciplinary history reported with State Bar of Texas. Areas to consider: Solo practice structure limits capacity and availability during high-volume periods; Website does not disclose specific fee ranges, making cost comparison difficult.
In the Bankruptcy Services category, comparable providers include Benjamin Trotter, Attorney at Law, P.C., BLESSING CREDIT REPAIR, Case Law Legal, PLLC. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Michael J. O'Connor is best suited for Texas consumers and business owners seeking experienced bankruptcy representation with direct attorney access and willingness to work with clients of limited means through sliding scale fees. The primary caveat is his solo practice structure, which may limit availability, and the lack of published fee information or case outcome data on his website, requiring detailed consultation before engaging.
Benjamin Trotter is a bankruptcy attorney listed on the Rutherford & Rutherford law firm website, specializing in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings and related debt relief services.
Profile signals: Individuals considering personal bankruptcy in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, Consumers with significant debt seeking professional legal guidance through bankruptcy process
FindLaw's credit repair lawyer directory serves Blessing, TX with multiple bankruptcy and credit repair attorneys across Texas. Displays licensed firms with experience ratings and consultation options.
Profile signals: Blessing, Texas residents seeking bankruptcy attorney referrals with Super Lawyers credentials and stored experience context, Consumers wanting to compare multiple credit repair law firms with listed attorney experience levels and free consultation options
Houston-based bankruptcy law firm offering Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filing services, plus debt defense, settlement, and judgment protection for consumers facing financial hardship.
Profile signals: Individuals with significant unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills) seeking Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy, Homeowners or asset owners facing foreclosure or judgment who need Chapter 13 reorganization with asset protection
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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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