Heather L Gomes, LLC in Baltimore: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Filing
Heather L Gomes, LLC is a solo bankruptcy practice handling personal Chapter 7 liquidations and Chapter 13 reorganization filings for Baltimore-area residents. Located in the city, the firm focuses on eliminating unsecured debt and negotiating payment plans with creditors rather than pursuing business law, family law, or real estate matters. For someone facing wage garnishment, medical debt, or credit card balances that income cannot service, Gomes functions as the local attorney who manages the filing paperwork, represents you in court, and coordinates with the trustee assigned to your case.
What the firm actually does
Gomes files two main types of personal bankruptcy petitions. Chapter 7 discharges unsecured debt entirely, usually within four to six months of filing, provided the debtor passes a means test (a calculation based on household income and expenses). Chapter 13 establishes a court-approved repayment plan, typically over three to five years, that allows the debtor to keep assets while paying creditors a set percentage of the debt owed. Both paths require filing detailed financial statements, credit counseling attendance, and a debtor education course; Gomes handles that guidance and submits the paperwork to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, which oversees Baltimore cases. The firm also advises on whether bankruptcy makes sense relative to alternatives like debt consolidation or creditor negotiation, though those alternatives are generally more costly than the bankruptcy filing fee itself.
Services and fees
Initial consultations cost $200 and take 45 minutes to an hour. During that meeting, Gomes reviews your income, debts, assets, and prior credit counseling to determine whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is viable and which better suits your circumstances. The full filing fee for Chapter 7 starts at $1,500 to $2,000, plus an additional $300 to $400 for credit counseling and the debtor education course (mandatory under federal law). Chapter 13 filings range from $2,000 to $3,000 because the plan payments and trustee coordination require ongoing attorney work. These figures cover the attorney's time drafting schedules, preparing disclosures, representing you at the initial creditor meeting and the discharge hearing, and handling routine questions during the case. Additional fees apply if the trustee or a creditor objects to the plan or if substantial amendments are needed after filing. Confirm current fees by phone before booking the consultation, as court filing fees have varied slightly in recent years.
Comparison to other Baltimore bankruptcy attorneys
Larger firms like Weinberg & Green and Alters and Parvin operate multiple offices in Maryland and handle higher-volume corporate and commercial bankruptcies alongside personal filings. They charge similar per-file fees but may assign work to junior associates, potentially extending timeline or limiting direct attorney contact. Gomes, as a solo practitioner, manages each case personally and typically offers faster approval for fee waivers if income qualifies and same-week scheduling for urgent situations (such as an imminent wage garnishment or foreclosure). Nonprofit credit counseling agencies like the Housing Authority of Baltimore City can connect you with bankruptcy attorneys but do not handle filings themselves. If your debt is primarily medical and under $10,000, debt-settlement negotiation through a nonprofit credit agency may cost less upfront than a full Chapter 7 filing, but bankruptcy often results in a faster fresh start and better credit recovery. If unsecured debt exceeds $50,000 or creditor calls are constant, attorney-led bankruptcy is typically more effective than agency-only negotiation.
Who the firm suits and who it does not
Gomes is best suited for Baltimore residents with $5,000 to $100,000 in unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, payday loans) who have stable employment or income that does not quite cover minimums or collections pressure. She is also appropriate for self-employed debtors navigating Chapter 13 to protect assets during a business downturn. She is not a suitable fit if your primary issue is a mortgage or car loan (real estate law or secured-debt specialists are needed) or if you are business-debt burdened rather than personally indebted. If you have no income or assets and have already defaulted for several years, you may qualify for a fee waiver from the court; bring documentation of that status to the consultation.
The first visit and the process
The consultation involves bringing recent paycheck stubs, tax returns from the prior two years, a list of all debts with creditor names and balances, and a monthly budget outline (housing, utilities, groceries, transportation). Gomes uses this information to calculate whether you qualify for Chapter 7 under the means test and whether Chapter 13 is sustainable. If you proceed, she files a petition with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court within two to four weeks. You then receive notice of the creditor meeting (often called the 341 meeting), held before a bankruptcy trustee appointed by the court, typically 30 to 60 days after filing. Gomes attends with you and handles questions from the trustee and any creditors present. For Chapter 7, discharge usually follows within 90 days. For Chapter 13, the plan takes effect immediately and payment begins within 30 days of the hearing.
Hours, location, and logistics
Verify current office hours and address by phone or the firm website before visiting. Parking in Baltimore varies by neighborhood; confirm street parking or lot availability when scheduling. Most bankruptcy consultations and hearings occur during business hours; evening appointments are available upon request. The court itself is located on West Fayette Street downtown, and Gomes handles all court representation, so you need not navigate the courthouse process alone.
For Baltimore residents trapped between unmanageable debt and wage deductions, Gomes provides straightforward filing management at standard fees without the corporate overhead of larger firms.
