Your partner in finding lasting financial relief.

Written By: Attorney Robert Stiberman | Updated 2/12/2026

If you are facing overwhelming debt in Broward County, you don’t have to navigate the uncertainty alone. From our Broward County office, Stiberman Law, P.A. represents clients throughout Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Coral Springs, and surrounding communities, providing responsive guidance, deep local court knowledge, and personalized bankruptcy solutions tailored to your financial situation.

Why Hire Robert Stiberman? (The Broward Advantage)

Choosing the right attorney is about local insight. Robert Stiberman not only practices in Broward; he has built his 25-year career right here in South Florida.

• Jurisdictional Expertise: Robert has handled thousands of cases in the Southern District of Florida, with deep experience in the Fort Lauderdale Division of the Bankruptcy Court.
• University of Miami Roots: Robert earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law (1996) and has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1998.
• Proven Expertise: With over 2,500 cases handled in the Southern District of Florida, Robert knows how to navigate complex local rules. We don’t just file paperwork; we defend your assets using intimate knowledge of local court rules and Florida Bankruptcy Exemptions.
• Fully Bilingual: We serve the diverse Broward community with full fluency in English and Spanish.
• Personalized Strategy: We don’t believe in “cookie-cutter” filings. We analyze your specific assets—from your home in Weston to your business in Pompano Beach—to ensure maximum protection.

Visit Our Broward County Office Locations

At Stiberman Law, we understand that financial challenges are not only personal but also closely tied to your community. That’s why we provide tailored, face-to-face debt relief solutions from two locations in Broward County. Whether you need an emergency bankruptcy filing to halt a foreclosure or a strategic consultation to protect your family’s assets, our team is physically present where you live and work.

Hollywood Office (Our Long-Standing Community Hub)

• Address: 2601 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, FL 33020
• Community Commitment: We have been proud members of the Hollywood community for more than 12 years at this location.
• Primary Service Areas: Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach, and Pembroke Park.
• Access: Conveniently located on Hollywood Blvd, just minutes from the I-95 Hollywood Blvd exit and the Hollywood City Hall.

Fort Lauderdale Office (Downtown)

• Address: 110 SE 6th St, Suite 1700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
• Primary Service Areas: Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Wilton Manors, and Oakland Park.
• Local Landmarks & Access: Located in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, just blocks from the U.S. Bankruptcy Courthouse.

Why Division Knowledge Matters: The Fort Lauderdale Division Nuance

Filing for bankruptcy in Fort Lauderdale comes with specific administrative requirements and local customs that differ significantly from those in Miami or Tampa.

**The 180-Day Venue Rule:** If you have lived in Sunrise, Margate, Pompano Beach, or any other city within Broward County for the majority of the last 180 days (at least 91 days), your case will likely be filed in the Fort Lauderdale Division.

• Strict Vehicle Expense Scrutiny (The $630 Local Custom): In the Fort Lauderdale Division, the Broward Chapter 13 Trustee enforces strict compliance regarding vehicle ownership costs. While other jurisdictions may allow for more flexibility, Fort Lauderdale typically limits car payments to the IRS ownership allowance, which is currently set at $630. If your car payment exceeds this amount, the Trustee may require that the excess funds be paid to your unsecured creditors. This can significantly increase your monthly plan payment. To help you navigate this rule and protect your monthly cash flow, we conduct a pre-filing budget audit.
• The Fort Lauderdale Advantage: Speed to Confirmation: In the Fort Lauderdale Division, a properly filed and managed Chapter 13 case usually takes just two months to reach confirmation. In contrast, cases filed in the Middle District of Florida often take between six to nine months for confirmation. Our deep understanding of local rules ensures that your case progresses through the system as quickly as possible.
• In-Person Court Requirements: Venue matters for your schedule. While the Miami Division routinely permits Zoom appearances for consumer cases, all hearings before the Fort Lauderdale Bankruptcy Division are in person (unless explicitly excused by the court).
• Strict Gambling Scrutiny: Broward County is home to several major casinos, including the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood and Harrah’s Pompano Beach (formerly known as Isle Casino), which serves as a key venue for residents in North Broward and Pompano Beach. Due to this proximity, the Broward Bankruptcy Trustees maintain a strict stance regarding gambling activities.
• The Trustee’s Position: If your bank statements or financial records indicate consistent gambling activity, the Trustee may object to your discharge or plan confirmation. They consider gambling to be a “non-reasonable and unnecessary expense” that diverts funds away from your creditors.
• The Consequences: In a Chapter 13 case, the Trustee will require you to commit to not gambling during the duration of your Chapter 13 plan. In a Chapter 7 case, excessive gambling can lead to allegations of bad faith.
• Our Role: We conduct a thorough audit of your bank statements before filing to identify potential red flags and develop a strategy to address these issues before you go to court.

Deep Dive: Strategic Debt Relief in the Ft Lauderdale Division

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: The “Liquidation” Reset

Chapter 7 offers residents in Davie, Deerfield Beach, and Tamarac a fast and effective way to achieve a fresh financial start. This option is designed to permanently eliminate unsecured debts, providing immediate relief from overwhelming financial burdens.

Broward Benefit: We use Chapter 7 to discharge high-interest credit cards, personal loans, and medical bills from local providers such as Broward Health and the Memorial Healthcare System.

• Asset Protection: By effectively utilizing the Florida Homestead Exemption and the Motor Vehicle Exemption, we help Broward residents protect their homes and primary vehicles while eliminating debt within approximately 90 to 120 days.
• Stopping Garnishments: Filing for Chapter 7 triggers the Automatic Stay, which halts wage garnishments and bank levies as soon as your case number is assigned.

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: The “Broward Home Shield”

Chapter 13 is a powerful tool for homeowners in Pembroke Pines, Miramar, and Plantation who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments or are facing a foreclosure auction.

• Curing Mortgage Arrears: Under Chapter 13, you can “cure” missed payments through a repayment plan lasting 3 to 5 years. During this time, you continue making your regular mortgage payments while paying off past due amounts through the Broward Standing Trustee, Robin Weiner.
• Interest Rate Reduction for Car Loans: One of the most effective tools in a Broward Chapter 13 case is the ability to reduce the interest rate on your vehicle loan. Regardless of how recently you bought your car, we can often lower high-interest rates (sometimes 18% or higher) to a much lower “Till rate” (typically prime plus a small risk premium, currently around 5.25%–6.25%). This can save you thousands in interest and significantly lower your monthly payment.

Chapter 11 Subchapter V & Debt Negotiation

• Small Business Lifeline: Subchapter V offers a streamlined reorganization option for business owners in Broward County, ranging from logistics firms in Dania Beach to restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. We assist you in restructuring commercial leases and managing debt while allowing you to maintain full control of your operations.
• Debt Negotiation: For residents of Weston or Parkland who want to avoid a public bankruptcy filing, we negotiate settlements directly with creditors at your comfort level.

Subchapter V Chapter 11 – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood (Restaurant Rescue)

A long-standing local pizza restaurant faced closure after Merchant Cash Advance (MCA) lenders froze its accounts. Carrying $800,000 in debt, the business filed Subchapter V. The filing stopped collections and restored revenue access. The court confirmed a plan with affordable quarterly payments of roughly $1,800, allowing the restaurant to stay open and protect its employees.

Foreclosure Defense & Insurance Crisis Support

We assist Broward homeowners in navigating the current property insurance crisis. If rising premiums or special assessments have made your mortgage unmanageable, we consider these debts manageable and can help restructure them to prevent foreclosure by the association or bank on your property.

Stopping Aggressive Broward Debt Collectors & Lawsuits

Are you being targeted by a national debt buyer or a major bank? In Broward County, debt collection has become a high-volume litigation business. When we file your bankruptcy case in the Fort Lauderdale Division, the Automatic Stay immediately halts all collection activity. This includes ongoing lawsuits, phone harassment, and pending judgments.

Our Fresh Start Shield. By filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 at the 299 East Broward Blvd Courthouse, we provide you with an immediate legal shield. We don’t just stop the calls; we stop the lawsuits in their tracks and, in most cases, permanently eliminate the underlying debt so you never have to deal with these collectors again.

The Bankruptcy Process in Fort Lauderdale: What to Expect

Filing for bankruptcy in Broward County follows a specific local path. Our firm ensures you are prepared for every milestone, including attending all required hearings.

Here’s how the process works:

Free Consultation
A 45–60 minute deep dive conducted in-person at our Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale offices (or via Zoom). We perform a Bankruptcy Means Test and audit your bank statements for local red flags, such as gambling transactions or car payments exceeding the $630 limit.

Choose the Right Bankruptcy Chapter
Depending on your unique circumstances, you may qualify for:

• Chapter 7: Liquidation and discharge of unsecured debts.
• Chapter 13: Repayment plan spread over 3–5 years.
• Chapter 11: Restructuring of major personal or business debt.

Prepare and File Your Case
We gather necessary financial records, complete the required forms, and file your case electronically with the court.

Asset Protection Audit
We review your “Broward-specific” assets. We ensure you can keep your primary vehicle and protect your homestead and retirement accounts (such as 401 (k)s), which are often fully exempt.

Filing and The Stay
We electronically file your petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida (Ft. Lauderdale Division), located at the U.S. Federal Building and Courthouse, 299 East Broward Blvd, Room 112, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. This immediately triggers the Automatic Stay, legally prohibiting creditors from calling you, continuing lawsuits, or proceeding with wage garnishments.

Resolution
Depending on the chapter, debts may be discharged within months (Chapter 7), or you’ll follow a repayment or reorganization plan (Chapter 13 or 11).

Our mission is to protect what matters most while helping you achieve meaningful debt relief.