Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Nebraska
How bankruptcy lawyers are paid, the Nebraska 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 Nebraska: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in a writing signed by the client and must state how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery; and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. It must clearly notify the client of expenses owed whether or not the client prevails, and at the end the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. § 3-501.5(d) prohibits fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony, support or property settlement, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. § 3-501.5(b) says the basis or rate of fees should be communicated, preferably in writing. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The Nebraska State Bar Association's Legal Fee Arbitration Program offers voluntary arbitration of disputes over fees charged by attorneys (and also between attorneys and physicians, stenographers, consultants and expert witnesses). The rules, petition, respondent's answer form and a fee brochure are on the page; questions go to the program contact at 1-800-927-0117. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Nebraska State Bar Association's Client Assistance Fund, established in January 1974 under the Nebraska Supreme Court's authority, helps claimants recover losses caused by dishonest conduct of lawyers while practicing law in Nebraska. Complete the claim form, attach copies of supporting documents, have it notarized, and send it to NSBA/Client Assistance Fund, 635 South 14th Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68508, keeping a copy. |
Nebraska rules to know first
| Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee | District of Nebraska (the state's only bankruptcy district): chapter 13 attorney fees are governed by the No-Look Compensation Plan in Appendix B to the local rules (Rule 2016-1). The court's notice of General Order 26-03, Amendment to Local Rules regarding Chapter 13 Fees (posted January 23, 2026), states that it will "increase standard attorney fee in Chapter 13 cases to $4,800 ($5,000 including expenses)," a 20% increase over the original $4,000 "No Look Fee" set in 2019, and that several A La Carte (ALC) fees were also increased. Rule 2016-1 (fees in chapter 13 cases governed by Appendix B): https://www.neb.uscourts.gov/rule-2016-1-compensation-professionals |
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| Means test median income | Median family income for Nebraska: 1 person $66,922; 2 people $90,728; 3 people $103,405; 4 people $125,074; add $11,100 for each additional person beyond 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026. Used in the Chapter 7 means test (Official Forms 122A-1 and 122C-1). The table's first column is labeled "1 EARNER." The same figures were posted for cases filed April 1 through July 14, 2026. The U.S. Trustee Program updates the table periodically. |
| Homestead exemption | A homestead of up to $120,000 in value, consisting of the dwelling house the claimant lives in, its appurtenances and the land it sits on: up to 160 acres outside an incorporated city or village, or, at the claimant's option, up to two contiguous lots inside one. It is exempt from judgment liens and from execution or forced sale, except as provided in sections 40-101 to 40-116. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 40-101 |
| State or federal exemptions | Nebraska has opted out of the federal exemptions. The state rejects the federal exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d) and applies the exemptions in Nebraska statutes and the Nebraska Constitution to bankruptcy cases filed in Nebraska. Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-15,105 |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Nebraska State Bar Association's Find-A-Lawyer website lets the public look for a lawyer. Attorneys listed there charge $50 or less for the first 30 minutes of consultation, according to the site. The site says it is not a directory of NSBA members; for a full list of licensed Nebraska attorneys it points to the Nebraska Supreme Court Attorney Services Division website. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Nebraska Supreme Court regulates attorney licensing, and the Nebraska Judicial Branch provides a public attorney search for checking a lawyer's record; the Counsel for Discipline's grievance page points the public to it. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The Nebraska Supreme Court's Counsel for Discipline investigates and prosecutes violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. File a grievance with the court's grievance form or a letter fully explaining the problem, with copies (not originals) of supporting documents, by email (nsc.cfdcomplaints@nejudicial.gov), fax (402-471-1014) or mail (Counsel for Discipline, 5001 Central Park Dr., Ste. 300, Lincoln, NE 68504-3461); phone 402-471-1040. Grievances that would not describe improper conduct even if true are rejected; otherwise the lawyer is usually asked for a written response, staff investigate, and the grievance is dismissed or charges are filed with a Committee on Inquiry. Grievances and investigations are confidential. The office cannot give legal advice, change court orders or recover money for you; it can only seek discipline. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Legal Aid of Nebraska provides information, referrals, advice, self-help services and representation to qualifying low-income people with civil legal issues, with seven offices serving all 93 counties. There are no walk-ins: call the Statewide AccessLine at 1-877-250-2016 (Monday/Wednesday 8:30-11:30 am, Tuesday/Thursday 1:00-3:00 pm, Central Time) or apply online. Seniors 60+ can use the ElderAccessLine at 1-800-527-7249. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists Legal Aid of Nebraska as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Nebraska · 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.