Bankruptcy Lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland

Sheereen E. McNair, Esq.
Jul 14
4 min read

Updated: Jul 25

Baltimore has some of the highest rates of wage garnishment and debt collection lawsuits in Maryland. If a creditor has a judgment against you and is taking money out of every paycheck, you are not alone in this city, and you are not stuck.

Filing bankruptcy stops the garnishment the day the case is filed. Not in a month. The day it is filed.

I am Sheereen McNair, a Maryland bankruptcy attorney. I help Baltimore residents file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, and the first thing I will do is tell you honestly whether filing is the right move.

Where Baltimore Cases Are Heard

Baltimore area cases go to the Baltimore Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, at the Edward A. Garmatz Federal Courthouse, 101 West Lombard Street, Suite 8530, Baltimore, MD 21201, phone (410) 962-2688.

Worth knowing: the court allows new petitions to be filed with the Clerk's Office in either the Baltimore or the Greenbelt Division. And the process is remote from end to end. Your consultation with us is a phone call, your documents are uploaded through our secure client portal, your case is filed electronically, and the meeting of creditors is normally held on Zoom, where you appear on camera to verify your identity. The courthouse is rarely somewhere you actually have to go.

What We See Most in Baltimore

Wage garnishment. Once a creditor has a judgment, Maryland law lets them take up to 25 percent of your disposable income directly from your paycheck once the court issues a garnishment order. The automatic stay stops it the moment you file.

Bank levies. A judgment creditor can freeze your account. If your account has been frozen, call immediately, because timing matters enormously here.

Rowhome equity. Maryland now protects up to $125,000 of equity in owner occupied real estate, up from roughly $27,900 as of June 1, 2026. For a lot of Baltimore homeowners, that means the equity that used to force you into a long Chapter 13 may now be fully protected in a Chapter 7. Married couples cannot double it and there is no senior amount.

Ground rent. Baltimore is one of the few places in the country where ground rent is still common. If there is a ground rent on your property, upload the paperwork through our secure client portal before your call, because it affects how we handle the house.

Chapter 7 or Chapter 13

Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt in about three to four months. Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, deficiency balances after a repossession, old judgments. The court filing fee is $338.

Chapter 13 reorganizes your debt into a three to five year plan. It is the tool for catching up on a mortgage or a car you want to keep, and for people whose income is too high for Chapter 7. The filing fee is $313.

Most people who file Chapter 7 in Maryland keep everything they own. There is no separate car exemption here, but vehicle equity is protected through the wildcard, up to $6,000 of cash or property of any kind. If you owe roughly what the car is worth, there is little equity to protect and you keep the car as long as you keep paying. Maryland has also opted out of the federal exemption system, so you use the Maryland exemptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Baltimore bankruptcy cases get filed?

Baltimore area cases are handled by the Baltimore Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court, at the Garmatz Federal Courthouse, 101 West Lombard Street, Suite 8530, Baltimore, MD 21201. The court also allows new petitions to be filed with the Clerk's Office in either the Baltimore or the Greenbelt Division, and most of the process is electronic.

How fast does bankruptcy stop a wage garnishment in Baltimore?

The same day you file. The automatic stay takes effect immediately and your employer must stop deducting from your paycheck.

How much can a creditor garnish in Maryland?

Up to 25 percent of your disposable income after they sue you, win a judgment, and obtain a garnishment order from the court. Filing bankruptcy stops it.

Can I keep my Baltimore rowhome if I file Chapter 7?

Usually yes. Maryland protects up to $125,000 of equity in owner occupied real estate, raised from roughly $27,900 effective June 1, 2026. Married couples cannot double it and there is no separate senior amount. Most Chapter 7 filers keep their home.

A creditor froze my bank account. What do I do?

Call an attorney immediately. Timing matters a great deal with a frozen account, and filing bankruptcy triggers the automatic stay, which stops further collection.

Do I have to come into an office to file bankruptcy?

No. Everything is remote. Your consultation is a phone call, your documents are uploaded through our secure client portal, your case is filed electronically, and your meeting of creditors is normally held on Zoom, where you appear on camera to verify your identity. Most clients never travel anywhere.

Getting Garnished in Baltimore? Filing Stops It the Same Day.

Free 15 minute phone consultation. Everything is handled remotely. You will get a straight answer about whether bankruptcy helps you, what it costs, and what happens next. If the answer is that you should not file, we will tell you that too. Call 240-896-3253 or book online.

Related pages: all our Maryland locations.