Steven C. Fraser, P.A. represents bankruptcy clients across Ward 1 of the District of Columbia — covering Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, LeDroit Park, Mount Pleasant, Park View, Pleasant Plains, Shaw, U Street Corridor, and Howard University. The current Ward 1 councilmember is Brianne Nadeau. All representation is virtual: no office visits required, no commute, no time off work. The free consultation is conducted by phone or video on a schedule that fits your day.
Ward 1 covers some of DC's most densely populated and rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. Many Ward 1 residents are renters facing rising rents combined with student debt and credit card balances.
What We Handle for Ward 1 Residents
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy — discharge of credit card debt, medical bills, payday loans, and most unsecured debt in 4 to 6 months. Learn more →
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy — keep the house, cure mortgage arrears, restructure secured debt over 3 to 5 years. Learn more →
- Stop wage garnishment — automatic stay halts garnishment instantly upon filing. Learn more →
- Defend against debt-buyer lawsuits — DC Superior Court Calendar 18 cases brought by Midland, Portfolio Recovery, LVNV, and other debt buyers. Learn more →
- Automatic stay violations under § 362(k) — when creditors keep collecting after you file. Learn more →
- FDCPA & FCRA enforcement — debt-collector harassment and credit-report errors. Learn more →
Ward 1 Neighborhoods Served
- Adams Morgan
- Columbia Heights
- LeDroit Park
- Mount Pleasant
- Park View
- Pleasant Plains
- Shaw
- U Street Corridor
- Howard University
Filing Procedure for Ward 1 Residents
All DC bankruptcy cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia, located in the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse at 333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001. Venue is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1408 and is the same for every ward in the District. Court appearances — the 341 Meeting of Creditors and any Chapter 13 confirmation hearing — are conducted virtually by the court. There is no in-person courtroom appearance required for routine consumer cases.
Cost
The fee structure is the same as for any DC bankruptcy filing. Detailed breakdown:
- Chapter 7: $1,750 single filer / $2,000 married couple flat fee + $338 court filing fee. Total: $2,088 / $2,338. Full breakdown →
- Chapter 13: $5,499 standard / $6,499 business flat fee + $313 court filing fee. $1,850 upfront retainer, remainder paid through the plan. Full breakdown →
- Fee waivers: Available in Chapter 7 for filers below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines under Official Form 103B. Particularly common in Ward 7 and Ward 8.
Schedule a Free Consultation
The consultation is free and typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes by phone or video. No payment information is collected. Submissions through this website are confidential as prospective-client communications under DC Rule of Professional Conduct 1.18.
DC Direct: 202-417-8128
Online scheduling: calendly.com/fraserlawyers
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to come to a downtown office to hire a Ward 1 bankruptcy attorney?
No. Steven C. Fraser, P.A. operates a virtual practice for all DC representation. Consultations are by phone or video. Documents are exchanged through a secure online portal. Court appearances — the 341 Meeting of Creditors and Chapter 13 confirmation — are conducted virtually by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia. Ward 1 residents do not need to travel for any aspect of the case.
Where does my bankruptcy case get filed if I live in Ward 1?
All DC bankruptcy cases — regardless of which ward the debtor lives in — are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia, located at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse, 333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington DC 20001. Venue is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1408 and is the same for every ward.
What does a Ward 1 bankruptcy filing cost?
The same as any DC bankruptcy filing. Chapter 7: $1,750 single filer / $2,000 married couple, plus a $338 court filing fee (which can be waived for Chapter 7 filers below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines). Chapter 13: $5,499 flat for standard cases / $6,499 for business cases, with $1,850 due upfront and the remainder paid through the plan, plus a $313 court filing fee.
Will I have to disclose anything specific to Ward 1 in my filing?
Bankruptcy schedules require disclosure of property location, mortgages, leases, and creditors — including any DC-specific items like ground leases on Ward 1 property, DC Water arrears, or DC Office of Tax and Revenue tax debts. Ward 1 address history must be disclosed, but the filing process and forms are otherwise the same throughout DC.