Law Offices of Richard B. Rosenblatt in Baltimore: A Sole-Proprietor Bankruptcy Practice for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Filers

Richard B. Rosenblatt operates a solo bankruptcy law practice in Baltimore, focused on Chapter 7 liquidation and Chapter 13 repayment plans for individuals and small business owners facing debt. This is not a high-volume mill or a branch office of a regional firm; it is a single attorney working from a defined location, which affects both pricing and how cases are handled.

What the Practice Handles

Rosenblatt's core work is personal bankruptcy filing and defense. Chapter 7 cases discharge unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans) through asset liquidation in a trustee-supervised process; Chapter 13 cases restructure debt into a court-approved repayment plan over three to five years, often allowing filers to keep secured assets like a car or home. The practice also handles the mandatory credit counseling documentation and financial management courses required by federal bankruptcy law before and after filing.

The practice generally does not handle business bankruptcies (Chapter 11), which demand specialized restructuring work, or appeal work in the bankruptcy appellate panels. If your case involves significant creditor disputes or complex asset questions, Rosenblatt's role is to advise whether those issues are manageable within the Chapter 7 or 13 framework; cases that demand adversary litigation may need co-counsel or referral.

Fees and Payment Structure

Most Baltimore bankruptcy attorneys charge either a flat fee for a straightforward Chapter 7 case (typically $1,200 to $1,800, depending on complexity and local court fees) or a flat fee for a Chapter 13 repayment plan (typically $2,500 to $4,000, also depending on the plan term and asset situation). Rosenblatt's fee sits in that market range; verify the current rate and ask whether it includes the mandatory credit counseling filing, the bankruptcy petition preparation, creditor meeting attendance, and post-filing management. Some attorneys structure fees so the client pays the attorney's portion upfront and the trustee-approved portion from the repayment plan; Rosenblatt uses a standard engagement agreement that you should review before signing.

Initial consultation is typically free or a flat fee under $100; this is your chance to ask whether your case qualifies for Chapter 7 (based on the federal "means test" income threshold for Maryland) or requires Chapter 13. Payment plans are available for clients who cannot pay the full attorney fee upfront.

How It Compares to Other Baltimore Bankruptcy Attorneys

Baltimore has two broad categories of bankruptcy practices: solo or small-firm attorneys like Rosenblatt, and larger bankruptcy mills or debt-relief clinics. Larger firms handle far more cases per attorney and often charge lower per-case fees (under $1,000 for Chapter 7) but spend less time on individual case strategy or creditor negotiation; they are cost-effective if your case is routine. Solo practices like Rosenblatt allow direct attorney contact, more detailed financial review before filing, and customized advice on whether you can save a house through Chapter 13 rather than lose it in Chapter 7. The trade-off is longer turnaround time and higher total cost.

If you are approaching bankruptcy because of a recent job loss, medical debt, or divorce, a solo attorney's detailed intake process can clarify whether filing is the right step or whether alternatives like debt settlement or creditor negotiation would work better. If you are already committed to filing and want speed and minimal cost, a high-volume firm may suit you better.

Who This Practice Suits

Rosenblatt's practice works well for individuals filing their first bankruptcy, with stable employment or steady income, clear debt categories (medical, credit card, auto loan), and an interest in understanding the process before court. Chapter 13 filers who want to save a house or keep a financed car benefit from detailed planning; a solo attorney can model scenarios and explain trade-offs in a way a high-volume practice often cannot.

The practice does not suit someone in crisis needing same-week filing, someone with complex creditor disputes or fraud allegations, or someone who needs Spanish-language intake (Rosenblatt's office operates in English; if you need translation, ask during the consultation call, as the practice may have referrals).

What the First Visit Involves

Initial consultations are usually by phone or in-office; you will be asked to bring or have ready a list of debts (card balances, loan amounts, medical bills), income documents (paystubs, tax returns, proof of benefits), and a rough inventory of assets (car, home, bank accounts, retirement savings). The attorney will run a basic means test calculation to determine Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 eligibility and ask about your housing plans, priority debts (child support, taxes, recent wages owed), and whether you have nonexempt assets a trustee could seize.

Before filing, you complete a mandatory credit counseling course (online, $15 to $50, one to two hours). After your petition is filed, you attend a "341 meeting of creditors" with a bankruptcy trustee and potentially your creditors; the attorney's office provides guidance and may accompany you. For Chapter 13, the trustee proposes a repayment plan within 14 days; Rosenblatt will review it and flag objections if the plan mishandles your home or car.

Hours, Location, and Parking

Rosenblatt's office is in Baltimore; specific street address, phone number, and hours should be verified directly with the office before visiting or calling. Most solo attorneys in Baltimore work business hours Monday through Friday, with some Thursday or Friday evening availability by appointment. If you prefer in-office consultation, confirm whether the office accepts walk-ins or requires scheduling.

Street parking is typical in most Baltimore neighborhoods; if the office is downtown or in a commercial building, ask whether there is a lot or validated parking nearby.

Why This Practice Matters in Baltimore

Baltimore's bankruptcy court is one of the busier district courts in the Fourth Circuit, handling thousands of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings each year. A solo practitioner who knows the local trustee panels, judge preferences, and how Maryland's homestead exemption applies to your specific situation offers value that a toll-free number or mail-in service cannot. Rosenblatt's role is to help a Baltimore filer navigate federal bankruptcy law in the context of state property laws and the local court's actual practice, not template bankruptcy.