Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in Nevada
How bankruptcy lawyers are paid, the Nevada 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 Nevada: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Nevada Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing, signed by the client, and must state in boldface type at least as large as the largest type in the agreement: how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal; whether expenses are deducted from the recovery and whether before or after the fee is calculated; whether the client owes expenses regardless of outcome; that if the client loses, the client may be liable for the opposing party's attorney fees and will be liable for its costs as required by law; and that a suit brought solely to harass or coerce a settlement may result in liability for malicious prosecution or abuse of process. At the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and any remittance. Rule 1.5(d) bars 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. By statute (NRS 7.095), in actions for injury or death against a health care provider based on professional negligence, an attorney may not contract for or collect a contingent fee of more than 35 percent of the amount recovered (net of litigation costs), whether by settlement, arbitration or judgment. NRS 7.095: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-007.html |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The State Bar of Nevada's Fee Dispute program is free and voluntary, for disputes of at least $250. Most disputes go to mediation first; if mediation fails and both parties have agreed to binding arbitration, an arbitrator or panel holds a hearing and decides the fee owed. File the Petitioner's Agreement for Arbitration of Fee Dispute (online, or request a mailed copy) with supporting documents in PDF to the Fee Dispute Department. The committee cannot hear fees already fixed by a court, malpractice or misconduct claims, or a matter already filed in court unless a court directs it. |
Nevada rules to know first
| Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee | District of Nevada (the state's only bankruptcy district): the Chapter 13 Presumptive Attorney's Fees Guidelines (effective 2/1/2021, adopted under Local Rule 2016.2) set the presumptive fee, including costs, at $5,000.00, which may be awarded through the confirmation order for cases filed on or after February 1, 2021. To receive it, the attorney must certify that the attorney has provided (or will provide without additional compensation) the listed services, including counseling the debtor, preparing and filing the petition, schedules, plan and amendments, necessary motions (such as motions to impose or extend the automatic stay), and attending the section 341 meeting. |
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| Means test median income | Median family income for Nevada: 1 person $72,222; 2 people $87,914; 3 people $101,638; 4 people $114,110; 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 is protected up to $605,000 in equity. If allodial title has been established and not relinquished, all equity in the dwelling, its appurtenances and land is protected. The exemption does not apply to debts for the purchase of the property or improvements (including mechanic's liens), legal taxes, mortgages or deeds of trust (including refinances, home equity loans and lines of credit), or certain consented-to liens such as homeowners' association liens, unless allodial title applies. A dwelling the debtor occupies on land the debtor does not own (for example, a home on rented land) is protected up to $605,000 in equity. The statute sets an equity limit, not an acreage limit. A homestead is selected by a written declaration of homestead. NRS 21.090: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-021.html#NRS021Sec090 |
| State or federal exemptions | Nevada has opted out of the federal exemptions. The federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d) do not apply to property owned by a Nevada resident unless Nevada's own exemption list also provides them. Source: NRS 21.090(3) |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Nevada's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) refers callers to a private attorney who practices in the relevant area of law. Call 702-382-0504 or toll-free 1-800-789-5747 (800-789-LRIS), or use the online option. The referred attorney may charge a $45 non-refundable fee for a consultation of up to 30 minutes; after that, fees are negotiated directly with the attorney, and there is no obligation to hire the attorney. If you cannot afford regular fees, LRS may try to prequalify you for a reduced-fee attorney (no more than $25 for the initial consultation and no more than $75 per hour after that) or refer you to another legal services agency. LRS overview: https://nvbar.org/for-the-public/find-a-lawyer/lrs/ |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The State Bar of Nevada, a public corporation supervised by the Nevada Supreme Court, licenses Nevada lawyers. Its Bar Status page explains the license statuses (such as Active, Inactive, Administrative Suspension, Discipline Suspension and Disbarment), and the bar says it can tell you whether an attorney is licensed in Nevada and in good standing; call the Las Vegas office at 702-382-2200 or the Reno office at 775-329-4100. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | The State Bar of Nevada's Office of Bar Counsel investigates complaints of attorney misconduct. File online with the complaint form, by U.S. mail, or in person at the Las Vegas office (3100 W. Charleston Blvd., Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89102) or Reno office (9456 Double R Blvd., Suite B, Reno, NV 89521); filing is free. Include your contact information, the lawyer's name and firm, a detailed narrative with dates and copies of supporting documents, and file a separate complaint for each attorney. Steps are initial review (usually within 10 business days), a written response from the lawyer, investigation, screening panel review and, if warranted, a formal hearing; it can take one to six months or longer. Reprimands, suspensions and disbarments are public; dismissals and private admonitions are not. The bar issues a Certificate of Good Standing and Statement of Discipline History. FAQs: https://nvbar.org/for-the-public/attorney-discipline/faqs-attorney-discipline/ |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Nevada Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance statewide to low-income Nevadans who meet its eligibility requirements; you can check eligibility and apply through its online intake form or contact the nearest office. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists Nevada Legal Services as the LSC-funded grantee in the state. In Clark County, the Family Law Self-Help Center (run by Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada under contract with Clark County) offers information and forms for people representing themselves. Family Law Self-Help Center: https://www.familylawselfhelpcenter.org/; LSC grantee list: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/our-grantees |
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All legal help in Nevada · 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.