Law Firm Overview

Welcome to the Bankruptcy Clinic P.C., “Your First Step to a Fresh Start.” At the Bankruptcy Clinic, we understand that sometimes bad things happen to good people. You may have recently been laid off, suffered an unforeseen medical problem, struggled through a messy divorce, lost a valued love one, invested in a bad business venture, or simply made some mistakes along the way. That’s okay. We understand. We are here to help!

The law provides a way, a perfectly legitimate, legal, and honorable way to stop foreclosures, repossessions, lawsuits, garnishments, and to stop annoying phone calls from debt collectors. The federal bankruptcy laws were provided for people like you to help you get back on your feet again.

It has been said bankruptcy is one of the top five life changing events in a person’s life. Sometimes, it takes a good deal of courage to take that first step. We understand. However, bankruptcy does not mean you are an irresponsible person or a failure. After all, the average millionaire files for bankruptcy three times in a lifetime. Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Donald Trump, and Mark Twain, names we often associate with success, have all filed for bankruptcy. In fact, bankruptcy is a much more responsible way of dealing with your creditors than hiding out or simply hoping the problem will disappear. At the Bankruptcy Clinic, we can fully relate to your situation. As a result, we treat you with the courtesy and respect you deserve. The best thing we offer you is peace of mind.

What makes us different from other bankruptcy firms? At the Bankruptcy Clinic, we emphasize a direct, hands-on attorney approach with each of our clients through all phases of the bankruptcy preparation process. As opposed to other bankruptcy law firms, all appointments are conducted entirely one-on-one with a skilled, knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney. Where other firms might choose to cut corners by having their clients deal primarily with a designated secretary or paralegal, we do not allow decisions regarding our client financial future to be dictated in such a potentially reckless manner. The stakes are simply too high. After all, your financial future is at stake. As a result, we enjoy a positive reputation in southern Illinois. We pride ourselves on the fact that 50% of our clients come to us as a result of client and attorney referrals.

Our knowledge and experience in bankruptcy also sets us apart. At the Bankruptcy Clinic, we file more bankruptcies than any other firm in southern Illinois outside of the metro east region. ¹ We have fully staffed offices in Carbondale, Marion, and Mt. Vernon, Illinois to fully serve our clients. Our attorneys, Jay B. Howd, Michael G. Curry, and Lyndon G. Willms combine nearly 40 years of bankruptcy law experience while filing over 10,000 cases in southern Illinois. In the process, we have eliminated or discharged hundreds of millions of dollars of debts on behalf of our clients. If you believe your financial situation might be bad, we can assure you we have seen much, much worse.

If you are facing a garnishment, foreclosure, lawsuit, repossession, or harassing phone calls, we urge you to do your homework and learn all you can about the bankruptcy process. After you have educated yourself, we encourage you to make that call to the Bankruptcy Clinic where our attorney consultations are always free. Call us today for Your First Step to a Fresh Start.

Jay B. Howd, President and Managing Attorney, Bankruptcy Clinic, PC

^{1- The metro east region is comprised of St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe counties that are docketed in Alton and East St. Louis. We are not actively practicing in these counties at the present time. The counties we currently serve are comprised of Williamson, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Randolph, Saline, Perry, Alexander, Massac, Union, Johnson, Pulaski, White, Washington, Wayne, Wabash, Hamilton, Gallatin, Edwards and Hardin. We have also recently expanded to serve the counties of Marion, Clay, Richland, Bond and Clinton.}

Areas of Practice

• Bankruptcy Law
• Debtor/Creditor

West Practice Categories

Bankruptcy Law, Debtor/Creditor