Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Indiana
How bankruptcy lawyers are paid, the Indiana means test and exemptions, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Indiana: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Contingent fees are allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits them. The agreement must be a writing signed by the client stating how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, which expenses come out of the recovery and whether before or after the fee is calculated, and any expenses the client owes whether or not they win; at the end, the lawyer gives a written statement of the result and the client's share. Indiana bars contingent fees for criminal defendants and domestic relations fees contingent on securing a dissolution, on the amount of maintenance, support or property settlement, or on obtaining child custody. A contingent fee for a post-judgment domestic relations collection action is allowed if the lawyer advises the client in writing about other collection options and otherwise complies with Rule 1.5(c). |
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Indiana rules to know first
| Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee | Northern District of Indiana: Local Rule B-2016-1 provides that $4,500.00 is presumed to be a reasonable attorney's fee for counsel's services representing a debtor in a routine, consumer chapter 13 case (rebuttable on objection); a fee not exceeding that amount may be awarded, after notice to all creditors, on application or through the additional provisions (part 8.1) of a confirmed plan without supporting documentation such as time records. The rule's historical notes state it was revised by Order Amending Local Bankruptcy Rules dated July 27, 2026 to increase the amount to $4,500.00. Fees above the presumptive amount for extraordinary, unusual or unanticipated services require an application with supporting documentation. Southern District of Indiana: General Order 25-0001 (November 14, 2025), under Local Rule B-2016-1(c), sets the maximum fee allowable under the "Presumed Reasonable Fee" process at $5,000 for all cases filed on or after December 1, 2025, plus an additional $500 per adversary proceeding to avoid an unsecured mortgage under Local Rule B-4003-3 if disclosed in the Rule 2016(b) statement and included in counsel's proof of claim; the amount is subject to review by the court on or before December 1, 2028. Southern District General Order 25-0001: https://www.insb.uscourts.gov/sites/insb/files/General%20Order%2025-0001.pdf |
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| Means test median income | 1 person: $64,461; 2 people: $81,986; 3 people: $95,627; 4 people: $115,656; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026). The U.S. Trustee updates this table periodically; check https://www.justice.gov/ust/means-testing for the table in effect on the filing date. The table's one-person column is labeled "1 EARNER." Income at or below the median for the household size generally means the Chapter 7 means test's further calculations are not required. |
| Homestead exemption | $22,750 for real estate or personal property that is the debtor's (or a dependent's) personal or family residence. Property held as tenants by the entirety may be exempt against debts owed by only one spouse. Dollar figure from the Department of Financial Institutions rule 750 IAC 1-1-1(c), effective March 1, 2022 and "next subject to adjustment no later than March 1, 2028". Tenancy-by-the-entirety note from the Small Claims Manual: https://www.in.gov/courts/files/small-claims-manual.pdf |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Indiana State Bar Association does not run a statewide referral line; it offers a Find a Lawyer directory (InBar.Reliaguide.com) and information on local resources for attorney referral. The Indiana courts' self-help site also lists Virtual Ask a Lawyer, hosted by the Indianapolis Bar Association (call or chat online). Also: https://www.in.gov/courts/selfservice/resources/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Indiana Supreme Court's Roll of Attorneys, maintained by the Office of Admissions & Continuing Education, can be searched by last name and, optionally, city. It shows the attorney number, name, address and phone on file with the Clerk, the date admitted to practice in Indiana, and the status of the attorney's license. You can also call Admissions and Continuing Education at 317-232-2552 to confirm license status, whether formal charges are pending and whether the lawyer has been disciplined before. Roll of Attorneys search: https://courtapps.in.gov/rollofattorneys |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Grievances about Indiana lawyers go to the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission (staffed by the Office of Judicial & Attorney Regulation). Submit the Request for Investigation form online, or print and mail it to 251 N. Illinois Street, Suite 500, Indianapolis, IN 46204; call (317) 232-1807 to have a form mailed. Include the lawyer's name, any court cause number, a short statement of the conduct, and copies of supporting documents. The Commission does not recover money, file criminal charges or give legal advice, and fee disputes generally fall outside discipline unless the fee is clearly unreasonable. A grievance cannot be withdrawn once filed. Disciplinary history is public once formal charges are filed; Supreme Court discipline orders since 2003 are posted online. Discipline decisions: https://www.in.gov/courts/public-records/orders/discipline |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Indiana Legal Services, the state's LSC-funded legal aid organization, "provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income people throughout the State of Indiana" (indianalegalservices.org). Indiana Legal Help (IndianaLegalHelp.org) helps with cases, forms and finding no-cost or low-cost legal aid, and Indiana.FreeLegalAnswers.org lets qualifying people ask volunteer attorneys questions for free. The courts' Self-Service Legal Center provides information and forms for people representing themselves. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Indiana · Do I need a lawyer?
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.