The moment your case is filed, the calls stop. The garnishment stops. The fear stops. And when creditors cross the line after that — Attorney Fraser pursues them personally in federal court.
A DC bankruptcy practice that pairs filing with active federal-court enforcement of your rights as a debtor.
Garnishment active? Foreclosure scheduled? The automatic stay stops both — sometimes within 24 hours. Call: 202-417-8128
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Steven C. Fraser, Esq. is a bankruptcy attorney licensed in Washington, DC (DC Bar No. 460026) and Florida (FL Bar No. 625825), practicing exclusively in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, automatic stay enforcement, FDCPA debt collector violations, and FCRA credit report disputes. His DC practice is entirely virtual — consultations by phone or video, documents via secure portal. He is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator (Cert. No. 37256 CFR). Free consultation: 202-417-8128.
The Moment You File,
Everything Stops.
The phone stops ringing. Those bright red past-due notices stop filling the mailbox. The wage garnishment that has been draining your paycheck every two weeks — gone. The foreclosure sale date that has been keeping you awake at 3 a.m. — stopped. The threat of a vehicle being repossessed from the parking lot at work — eliminated.
With that weight removed, something remarkable happens: you can think clearly again. You can make good decisions. You can begin to rebuild — with a lawyer who is not done fighting for you the moment the discharge order is signed.
Creditor Calls
All collection contact must stop immediately — calls, texts, letters, emails.
Wage Garnishment
Your employer must stop deducting from your paycheck as of the filing date.
Foreclosure
Any pending foreclosure sale is halted — including DC Superior Court proceedings.
Repossession
Vehicle repossession is prohibited. Already repossessed? Recovery may be possible.
Lawsuits & Judgments
Active lawsuits are frozen and judgment enforcement is immediately prohibited.
Bank Levies
Creditors cannot seize funds from your bank accounts once the stay is in effect.
What If a Creditor Ignores the Stay?
After filing, many cases simply move toward discharge. Attorney Fraser actively monitors for stay violations — and when creditors willfully ignore the federal court order, he pursues them. Under 11 U.S.C. § 362(k), you may be entitled to actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees — paid by the creditor who violated your rights.
Two Powerful Paths to a Fresh Start
Chapter 7 eliminates most unsecured debt in 4–6 months. Chapter 13 lets you keep your home, catch up on arrears, and repay on a structured plan. Both begin with immediate federal protection.
Chapter 7
The fastest path to discharge. Most unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, payday loans — eliminated.
Flat fee — no hidden costs. Filing fee paid directly to the court.
Student loan modifications, tax resolution, and mortgage modifications are not included in the base fee and are quoted separately.
Need time to get the fee together? We can work with you.
The full fee must be paid before your case is filed — but you don’t have to pay it all at once. Make payments at your own pace using our secure online payment portal. When the balance is paid in full, we file immediately.
Ready to start? Call 202-417-8128 or pay online below.Chapter 13
Keep your home. Cure mortgage arrears. Repay what you can afford over a court-supervised plan.
Flat fee. Most of the attorney fee is paid through the Chapter 13 plan rather than at filing.
Student loan adversary proceedings, tax resolution, and mortgage modification work are not included in the base fee and are quoted separately.
Estimate My Plan Payment →DC Advantage — Two Exemption Systems: DC filers may choose between federal exemptions under § 522(d) (homestead: $31,575; wildcard up to $17,475 for renters) or DC’s own unlimited homestead under D.C. Code § 15-501 — no dollar cap on home equity if owned 1,215+ days. Attorney Fraser analyzes both systems for every client before filing.
Do You Qualify? Find Out in 3 Minutes.
Applies the official federal means test to your income and household. No account required. No credit check. 2026 DOJ median income data for DC and Florida.
Bankruptcy Eligibility Calculator
Official Form B 122A-1The Lawyer Behind Every Case
I became a bankruptcy attorney because I believed people in financial crisis deserved a real advocate — someone in the room when they need help most, not after the crisis has passed. Most people see bankruptcy as an end. I see it as a strategic financial tool used by some of the most famous leaders and innovators in history — Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln, Henry Ford, Mick Fleetwood, Marvin Gaye, Meat Loaf, 50 Cent, and MC Hammer all used bankruptcy to restructure and come back stronger — and I am honored to help you do the same. Financial collapse carries a shame the system does nothing to ease, but the law is powerful when someone who knows it is standing in your corner. A fresh start should feel like one.
Florida: U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern, Middle & Southern Districts · U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle & Southern Districts
Where Many Bankruptcy Filings End,
This One Doesn’t.
Many firms consider their work complete when the discharge order enters. They file your petition, attend your 341 meeting, and move on to the next case. What happens after — how creditors treat you, how your credit report reflects the case, whether collectors respect the court’s order — is not their concern. It is ours.
DC Bankruptcy Guides & Insights
Plain-English answers to the questions DC residents actually ask
DC Chapter 7 Means Test: What the Numbers Actually Mean in 2026
The 2026 DOJ median income figures for DC have shifted — and whether you fall above or below the line determines everything. Here’s what the means test actually calculates and what happens if your income exceeds the median.
Read More →The DC Unlimited Homestead Exemption: How to Keep Your Home in Bankruptcy
DC gives filers a choice most states don’t: federal exemptions capped at $31,575, or DC’s unlimited homestead with no ceiling on equity — if you’ve owned for 1,215+ days. The decision can be worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Read More →Automatic Stay Violations in DC: What to Do When a Creditor Keeps Calling After You File
The automatic stay takes effect the instant you file — no hearing required. When creditors ignore it, § 362(k) authorizes actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. These claims are often left on the table after discharge. Attorney Fraser pursues them when warranted.
Read More →Bankruptcy Questions,
Plain-English Answers
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