Bankruptcy Attorney in Highlands County, FL

Personalized support for financial stability.

By Robert A. Stiberman, Esq. Member of The Florida Bar since 1998, representing Florida bankruptcy clients since 2009. Last reviewed: July 2026.

The Importance of a Bankruptcy Lawyer

Are you facing financial hardship in Highlands County? Whether you are a business owner in Sebring, a resident of the Lake Placid citrus belt, or a family in Avon Park, the burden of debt can feel insurmountable.

At Stiberman Law, we’ve helped Floridians—including families and businesses in Highlands County—regain control of their finances for over a decade. Our commitment is to deliver straightforward advice, strong representation, and a path to long-term financial health.

Bankruptcy in Highlands County: Which Chapter Fits?

Your first decision, and the most important, is which chapter to file. Highlands County cases are heard in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida, Fort Pierce Division.

Chapter 7 offers the fastest relief: qualifying unsecured debts are discharged, usually within four to six months, for those who pass the means test against the Florida median income. With Florida’s strong exemptions, most filers across Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid keep their essential property.

Chapter 13 is built for people with regular income who have fallen behind. A single three-to-five-year plan lets you cure overdue mortgage or car payments and keep the property while the automatic stay stops collection, the classic way Highlands County homeowners save a house.

Chapter 11, and Subchapter V for most small businesses, lets a company reorganize while staying open. Subchapter V is a streamlined small-business track within Chapter 11, open to debtors whose total debt is $3,424,000 or less (2026 figure). Whatever your circumstances, we’ll steer you to the right chapter and handle every step.

Stopping Wage Garnishment in Highlands County

If a creditor is garnishing your paycheck anywhere in Highlands County, Sebring, Avon Park, Lake Placid, you have options. Filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay (11 U.S.C. § 362), which legally stops most wage garnishments the moment your case is filed. Florida law also protects wages on its own: under the head-of-household exemption (Fla. Stat. § 222.11), the earnings of someone who provides more than half the support for a child or other dependent are generally exempt, wages up to $750 a week are fully protected, and higher earnings stay protected unless you agreed to the garnishment in writing. We review whether that exemption applies to you, file the exemption claim, and, where bankruptcy is the right tool, use it to stop the garnishment and resolve the underlying debt. For more, see our Florida wage garnishment page.

How Bankruptcy Works in Highlands County

Bankruptcy in Highlands County falls under the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, West Palm Beach Division. Federal rules apply, but navigating local procedures can be challenging without an experienced lawyer.

At Stiberman Law, we have been representing clients in the West Palm Beach Division for over 15 years. We know exactly what it takes for your bankruptcy case to be successful, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Here’s how we guide clients through the process step by step:

1. The Deep-Dive Strategy Session

We begin with a compliemtary comprehensive analysis of your financial situation. We don’t just look at what you owe; we look at what you own. We audit your residency dates to ensure you qualify for Florida’s powerful homestead protections and identify every possible path to debt relief.

2. Selecting Your Chapter

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. We explain the strategic differences between Chapter 7 (debt liquidation), Chapter 13 (asset-saving reorganization), and Chapter 11 (complex business restructuring). We recommend the specific chapter that offers the maximum protection for your home, car, and retirement.

3. Meticulous Preparation & Electronic Filing

Our legal team handles the heavy lifting. We gather your financial data and prepare your formal petition with surgical precision. We file your case electronically with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, ensuring that every local rule and trustee requirement is met the first time.

4. Immediate Activation of the “Automatic Stay.”

The moment your case is filed, a federal shield—the Automatic Stay—is triggered. This legally forces all creditors to stop. Foreclosures are frozen, wage garnishments are halted, and collection calls must cease immediately. From this point on, creditors must speak with us, not with you.

5. The Virtual 341 Meeting of Creditors

In 2026, we prioritize your convenience. You will attend a brief, mandatory hearing with a court trustee. Most of these are now conducted via Zoom. Robert Stiberman or one of our attorneys will be right there with you on the screen, providing expert support and ensuring your interests are protected.

6. Final Resolution & Debt Discharge

The goal is the “Discharge Order”—the federal document that legally wipes out your debt. Depending on your chosen chapter, your debts are either discharged in a few short months (Chapter 7) or successfully managed through a structured, affordable repayment plan (Chapter 13).

Client Case Study

A client burdened with over $45,000 in unsecured debt was able to discharge most of it through Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Within months, she was no longer overwhelmed by creditor calls and had the chance to rebuild financially.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Case studies and testimonials reflect the specific facts of those matters and may not be representative of all cases.

See real, anonymized outcomes from Florida bankruptcy cases on our Results page. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.