Bankruptcy Attorney in Chattanooga

June 14, 2026

Consumer bankruptcy in Chattanooga comes with built-in safeguards that filers should understand before they begin. Two of them, both rooted in the 2005 Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), apply to almost every individual case: a person must complete credit counseling through a U.S. Trustee Program approved provider before filing, and a debtor education (financial management) course from an approved provider before the court enters a discharge. A separate federal disclosure rule requires firms that help consumers file to call themselves “debt relief agencies,” which is why that phrase appears on so many Chattanooga firms’ websites and intake documents. Read as background rather than legal advice, these are the consumer-facing rules that frame the process.

The process itself unfolds in federal court, not state court. Chattanooga petitions are filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, whose Southern Division takes in Hamilton County along with surrounding counties such as Bradley, Marion, Polk, Rhea, Meigs, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, and McMinn. Because bankruptcy law is federal, the substantive rules hold steady across Tennessee, yet trustee assignments, procedural steps, and filing customs still differ from district to district. That is a frequent reason Chattanooga filers seek out an attorney who regularly practices before the Eastern District.

The lawyer who handles such a case is licensed by the state even though the proceeding is federal. Tennessee admits attorneys through the Tennessee Supreme Court, with the Board of Law Examiners overseeing admission and the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR) overseeing discipline. A resident considering a Chattanooga bankruptcy lawyer can confirm through the BPR that the attorney is admitted and in good standing before retaining anyone. Demand for that counsel is steady: Chattanooga is home to roughly 185,783 people as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and qualified consumer-debt help is a practical need for households and small businesses throughout Hamilton County.

For individuals, the decision usually narrows to Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 liquidates, discharging many unsecured debts on a relatively quick timeline for those whose income falls below the means-test threshold. Chapter 13 reorganizes instead, setting a three-to-five-year repayment plan that lets a debtor cure a delinquent mortgage or car loan and retain the secured property. Income, the assets involved, and the categories of debt all determine which chapter is appropriate, and weighing those factors is the attorney’s role in any given financial picture.

Top Bankruptcy Attorney Providers in Chattanooga

1. Kenneth C. Rannick, P.C.

Address: 4416 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Phone: (423) 205-7744
Website: https://www.bankruptcychattanooga.com
Services: Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Subchapter V small business reorganization, credit card debt relief
Description: Kenneth C. Rannick, P.C. is a Chattanooga bankruptcy practice on Brainerd Road, led by attorney Kenneth C. Rannick, who has been board certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification since 1994. The firm states that Rannick has filed more than 17,000 bankruptcies over a career spanning more than 39 years. The practice focuses on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer cases, credit card debt relief, and Subchapter V small business reorganization, and it serves Hamilton, Bradley, Marion, Polk, Sequatchie, Bledsoe, Rhea, Meigs, and McMinn counties. The firm explicitly identifies itself as a debt relief agency that helps people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code, consistent with the federal disclosure requirement.

2. Tom Bible Law

Address: 6112 Shallowford Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 874-6628
Website: https://www.tombiblelaw.com
Services: Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Chapter 12 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, credit card and medical debt relief, tax debt, student loan matters, foreclosure defense, repossession defense, wage garnishment defense
Description: Tom Bible Law, the Law Office of W. Thomas Bible Jr., is a bankruptcy practice with a Chattanooga office on Shallowford Road. The firm’s attorneys include Tom Bible and John Roan, and its practice spans Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, and Chapter 13 cases. Beyond core bankruptcy work, the firm helps clients address credit card and medical debt, tax debt, student loans, foreclosure, repossession, wage garnishment, and creditor harassment. The breadth of chapters handled, including Chapter 12 for family farmers and fishermen, distinguishes the practice from firms that handle only consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases. The firm also maintains an office in Tullahoma to serve clients in the wider region.

3. Burk & Ramsey, LLC

Address: 5600 Brainerd Road, Entrance A, Suite B-4, Eastgate Town Center, Chattanooga, TN 37411
Phone: (706) 841-2220
Website: https://burkandramsey.com
Services: Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debt relief
Description: Burk & Ramsey, LLC is a Chattanooga bankruptcy firm located in the Eastgate Town Center on Brainerd Road. The practice is led by attorney Millard Ramsey, who earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1996, an MBA with a finance concentration in 2003, and a law degree from John Marshall Law School in 2008, where he graduated near the top of his class and served as managing editor of the law review. Before opening his own practice, Ramsey worked with one of the larger bankruptcy firms in the Tennessee Valley. The firm focuses on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer cases and debt relief, supported by experienced paralegal staff, and identifies itself as a debt relief agency that helps people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bankruptcy Attorney in Chattanooga

Q: Which court handles a Chattanooga bankruptcy case?

Bankruptcy is federal, so a Chattanooga case is filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. The district’s Southern Division covers Hamilton County along with nearby counties such as Bradley, Marion, Polk, Rhea, Meigs, and Sequatchie. Because procedures and trustee practices vary by district, many filers choose a lawyer who regularly practices before the Eastern District court.

Q: What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?

Chapter 7 is a liquidation that can discharge many unsecured debts relatively quickly for filers who qualify under the means test, which compares income against state medians. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan lasting three to five years that lets a debtor catch up on secured debts, such as a mortgage or car loan, and keep that property. An attorney evaluates income, assets, and the type of debt to determine which chapter fits a particular situation.

Q: How do I verify that a Chattanooga bankruptcy attorney is licensed?

Tennessee attorneys are licensed by the Tennessee Supreme Court. You can confirm that a lawyer is admitted and in good standing, and check for any public disciplinary history, through the Board of Professional Responsibility (BPR). Admission is overseen by the Board of Law Examiners, while the BPR handles licensing status and discipline.

Q: Do I have to take any courses before or after filing bankruptcy?

Yes. Under the 2005 BAPCPA, an individual must complete pre-filing credit counseling from a provider approved by the U.S. Trustee Program before the case is filed, and a pre-discharge debtor education (financial management) course from an approved provider before a discharge is granted. Both requirements apply to most consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings.

Q: Why do bankruptcy firms call themselves “debt relief agencies”?

A federal disclosure law requires firms that provide bankruptcy assistance to consumers to identify themselves as debt relief agencies and to state that they help people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Seeing that language on a Chattanooga firm’s website or paperwork is normal and reflects compliance with that federal requirement rather than anything unusual about the firm.

Q: Where can I file a complaint about a bankruptcy attorney or a debt-related business in Chattanooga?

Concerns about an attorney’s professional conduct can be directed to the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, which handles licensing and discipline for Tennessee lawyers. Complaints about deceptive business practices more generally can go to the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which administers the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping copies of your engagement agreement, payment records, and relevant correspondence strengthens any complaint.