Best Bankruptcy Lawyers Joliet, IL

Joliet, IL Bankruptcy FAQs

• Where do I file for bankruptcy in Joliet, Illinois?

  Residents of Joliet may file for bankruptcy at the Eastern Division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, located at 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604.

• Where can I get bankruptcy forms in Joliet, Illinois?

  Joliet residents may get bankruptcy forms at the official website of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, which can be accessed here: https://www.ilnb.uscourts.gov/forms.

• How often do Joliet residents file for bankruptcy?

  According to data published by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Joliet has the third highest bankruptcy filing rate in 2023 of all the cities in its jurisdiction, with 153 bankruptcy cases so far. This is out of the 9,078 bankruptcy filings for the entire Northern District of Illinois in 2023.

• How much of one’s wages can be garnished in Joliet?

  Debtors in Joliet who have been served a court judgment may have their weekly wages garnished by either 15% or the amount left over after deducting 45 hours’ worth of the state’s minimum wage, whichever is lower. In 2019, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed legislation that increased the state’s minimum wage to $13.00 per hour as of January 2023.

• What documents are required to file for a Joliet bankruptcy?

  Those in Joliet who wish to file for bankruptcy must prepare the following documents: their tax returns for the past two years, pay stubs for at least the past two months, bank statements, and credit reports. The court may also require copies of the debtor’s bills from the past few months, their Social Security number and home address, and vehicle titles.

• Will Joliet homeowners keep their homes after filing for bankruptcy?

  Homeowners in Joliet who have filed for bankruptcy are granted up to $15,000 in value of any real or personal property they own, including a farm, lot, condo, co-op, or mobile home. Married couples who are filing for joint bankruptcy may double this exemption to $30,000. Additionally, the spouse or child of a deceased owner may claim this homestead exemption.

• Are workers’ compensation and personal injury recoveries protected in a Joliet bankruptcy?

  Under Illinois law, debtors in Joliet filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy are allowed to keep the entire amount they have received in a workers’ compensation action. An exemption to this is if they have used the award or settlement to purchase property. Meanwhile, personal injury recoveries are protected for up to $15,000, barring any payments made for psychological or emotional injuries.