Prince George County Bankruptcy Attorney
Quick Answer
Prince George County residents file bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division. With approximately 64 filings per year and a nearly even 52% Chapter 7 / 48% Chapter 13 split — reflecting the county’s mix of military homeowners at Fort Gregg-Adams and working families — Merna Law serves all of Prince George County entirely by phone and Zoom. Free consultation: 1-800-662-8813.
By John G. Merna, Esq. | Last Reviewed: June 2026 | The Merna Law Group, P.C.
Prince George County sits south of Richmond along the Appomattox and James rivers, adjacent to the independent cities of Petersburg, Hopewell, and Colonial Heights. The county is home to Fort Gregg-Adams (formerly Fort Lee), one of the Army’s largest training installations, which brings a significant military and federal civilian workforce to the area. When debt, garnishments, or foreclosure threaten your financial stability, Merna Law handles every step remotely. We serve all of Prince George County including Prince George Court House, Disputanta, and surrounding communities — entirely by phone and Zoom, from your free consultation through your discharge.
Chapter 7 — Eliminate Unsecured Debt
Chapter 7 discharges credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and most unsecured debt in approximately 90 to 120 days. At 52%, Chapter 7 is the slight majority choice in Prince George County for residents who pass the Virginia means test.
Chapter 13 — Stop Foreclosure, Repayment Plan
Chapter 13 stops foreclosure immediately and allows Prince George County homeowners to repay arrears over three to five years. Cases in the Richmond Division are assigned to Trustee Carl Bates or Trustee Joseph Wade. With a 48% Chapter 13 rate, homeowners — including military families at Fort Gregg-Adams — regularly use Chapter 13 to protect equity.
Stop Calls and Garnishments Immediately
Filing triggers the automatic stay under 11 U.S.C. § 362 immediately — stopping wage garnishments, bank levies, foreclosure, repossession, and all creditor calls the moment your petition is filed.
Coverage Throughout Prince George County
Merna Law serves all of Prince George County — Prince George Court House, Disputanta, and communities along the Route 460, I-295, and Route 301 corridors. We handle your entire case by phone and Zoom. No office visit required.
Homestead Exemption — Principal Residence
Virginia protects up to $50,000 in equity in your principal residence from creditors (Va. Code § 34-4). This applies to all householders regardless of age. In addition, you may exempt up to $5,000 in other personal property (or $10,000 if you are age 65 or older), plus $500 per dependent as a wildcard exemption. In Chapter 13, your home equity above this amount is protected as long as your plan pays at least what creditors would receive in a Chapter 7 liquidation.
Vehicle, Tools & Personal Property Exemptions
Virginia protects up to $10,000 in motor vehicle equity (Va. Code § 34-26(8)), up to $10,000 in tools of your trade (§ 34-26(7)), up to $5,000 in household furnishings (§ 34-26(4a)), and up to $1,000 in clothing (§ 34-26(4)). Retirement accounts — 401(k), IRA, pension — are fully exempt under federal and Virginia law. Your Merna Law attorney will apply every available exemption to protect the maximum amount of your property.
Amounts verified June 2026 — Va. Code Title 34. Next CPI-U adjustment: April 1, 2027.
Free Bankruptcy Consultation — Prince George County
Phone or Zoom — no office visit required. A licensed Virginia bankruptcy attorney reviews your income, debts, and property at no cost.
How Merna Law Handles Your Prince George County Bankruptcy — Step by Step
1
Free Phone Consultation
A licensed Virginia bankruptcy attorney reviews your income, debts, and property by phone. No obligation, no office visit required.
2
Document Collection
Upload documents through our secure client portal. Everything handled remotely from Prince George County.
3
Petition Preparation
We prepare your complete petition, schedules, and means test. You review and sign electronically.
4
Filing & Automatic Stay
Your petition is filed electronically with the EDVA Richmond Division. The automatic stay takes effect immediately.
5
341 Meeting by Phone or Zoom
The creditors’ meeting is by phone or video — no travel to Richmond. Most meetings last under 10 minutes.
6
Discharge & Fresh Start
Your discharge order is delivered electronically. Case complete — without a single in-person visit.
Phone and Zoom — Everything Remote
No office visit. No commute. Your free consultation, document review, and 341 Meeting are all handled by phone or Zoom. Merna Law has served Virginia clients entirely remotely since 2020 — from your first call to your discharge.
Secure Client Portal
Share documents, sign forms, and track your case status through Merna Law’s encrypted client portal — accessible from any device, any time, from anywhere in Virginia.
About Prince George County
Prince George County was formed in 1703 from Charles City County and named in honor of Prince George of Denmark, the consort of Queen Anne. The county sits at the confluence of the Appomattox and James rivers, bordered by the independent cities of Petersburg to the west, Hopewell to the north, and Colonial Heights to the north. Its county seat is Prince George Court House. The county’s most significant institution is Fort Gregg-Adams — formerly Fort Lee — one of the Army’s largest Combined Arms Support Command training centers. Fort Gregg-Adams employs tens of thousands of active-duty soldiers, reservists, and civilian workers, making the military a defining presence in the county’s economy and residential character. The county has a population of approximately 40,000 and is characterized by a blend of military residential housing, rural farmland, and commercial development along the Route 460 and I-295 corridors. Bankruptcy cases from Prince George County are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division.
Prince George County Official Website · Prince George County on Wikipedia · Fort Gregg-Adams on Wikipedia
Virginia Chapter 7 Income Limits — Current U.S. Trustee Figures
1 person: $78,491 · 2 people: $101,171 · 3 people: $123,159 · 4 people: $144,826 (+$11,100 per additional person). Source: U.S. Trustee Program. If your income exceeds these limits, you may still qualify through the full means test analysis — Merna Law calculates this at no charge during your free consultation.
Prince George County Bankruptcy — Frequently Asked Questions
Which bankruptcy court handles Prince George County cases?
All Prince George County cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, at 701 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. The 341 meeting is by phone or video.
Who are the Chapter 13 trustees for Prince George County?
Chapter 13 cases from Prince George County are administered by Trustee Carl Bates or Trustee Joseph Wade.
Will I lose my home if I file bankruptcy in Prince George County?
Virginia protects up to $50,000 in home equity under Va. Code § 34-4. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure immediately and lets you catch up on arrears over three to five years.
Can active-duty military at Fort Gregg-Adams file bankruptcy?
Yes. Active-duty service members can file bankruptcy in Virginia. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides additional protections. Call us to discuss how your military status affects your filing options.
Can I file without driving to Richmond from Prince George County?
Yes. Merna Law handles everything remotely by phone or Zoom. The 341 meeting is by phone or video — no travel required.
How long does Chapter 7 take in the Richmond Division?
Typically 90 to 120 days from filing to discharge.
Ready to File Bankruptcy in Prince George County?
Call us or schedule online — your free consultation is the first step to a fresh financial start. No office visit required.
