.png)
.png)
4.4 on Google
60+ client reviews
4.8 on Avvo
39 client reviews
Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, 2026 & 2027 · Admitted in Maryland and Florida · D. Md. Bar No. 18669 · Fla. Bar No. 115771
FOR MARYLAND VETERANS
You may have been told no when the answer was yes.
Federal law protects veterans in bankruptcy in ways most people, including some lawyers, never mention. Your VA disability may not count as income at all. Let's find out where you actually stand.
Free. 15 minutes. By phone. No judgment, and no obligation.
What veterans are almost never told
These are real protections written into federal law. Whether any of them apply to you depends on your specific situation, which is exactly what a consult is for.
The HAVEN Act excludes VA and DoD disability payments from "current monthly income." If someone ran your numbers and said you earn too much for Chapter 7, that answer may have been wrong.
HAVEN ACT, 2019
Most creditors cannot touch your VA benefits
Federal law generally shields VA benefits from creditors. There are real exceptions, and commingling funds in a bank account complicates it. But a collector threatening your disability check is usually bluffing.
38 U.S.C. § 5301
Some veterans skip the means test entirely
A disabled veteran rated at 30% or more, or discharged for a disability, whose debts came primarily from active duty or a homeland defense activity, is excluded from the means test. Not "probably passes." Excluded.
11 U.S.C. § 707(b)(2)(D)
Pre-service debt may be capped at 6%
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act caps interest at 6% on debt taken on before active duty. It is not automatic. You have to request it in writing with a copy of your orders. No lender will volunteer it.
SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT
Guard and Reserve have a window too
Guard and Reserve members called to active duty or homeland defense for 90+ days after 9/11/2001 are excluded from the Chapter 7 means test, while serving or within 540 days of finishing a tour. Congress extended this through December 2027.
NAT'L GUARD & RESERVISTS DEBT RELIEF ACT
"I'd lose my clearance" is the fear that costs the most
The official guidance says it plainly: what matters is "the cause of debts and action taken, or not taken, to pay debts," not the amount. Unresolved debt with no effort behind it is the disqualifier. A documented, good-faith effort to resolve debts is a recognized mitigating condition. No one can guarantee a clearance outcome, and I won't. But get real advice before this stops you for another year.
SEAD 4, GUIDELINE F
Free help for Maryland veterans, whether you ever call us or not
Bankruptcy is not the right answer for everyone, and we will tell you that straight. But doing nothing is the right answer for no one. Every organization below helps veterans at no cost.
MARYLAND
MD Dept. of Veterans & Military Families
VA-accredited benefits specialists. Free claims help. By appointment.
NATIONWIDE
National Call Center for Homeless Veterans
If you are homeless or at risk of it. Free, confidential, 24/7.
Accredited VSO Representatives
VFW, American Legion, and DAV service officers file VA claims for free
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 and press 1 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line. You can also text 838255. Free, confidential, 24/7.
Read more on your situation
Three hundred people were where you are.
Every one of them thought the debt was permanent. Here is what the record actually shows.
300+ DISCHARGED
Debts wiped, cases closed.
More than 300 clients have finished their cases with Middleton Legal, Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, across Maryland and Florida.
4.4★ GOOGLE · 4.8★ AVVO
Rated by the people we filed for.
4.4 stars from 60+ clients on Google. 4.8 stars from 39 clients on Avvo. Reviews written after the case was over.
BBB A+ ACCREDITED
Accredited, and answerable.
BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating. Flat fees explained before you retain, so nothing about the cost is a surprise.
