Most people who call a bankruptcy lawyer in Orlando have more than one problem. There’s the credit card balance that doubled. The medical bill from AdventHealth. And somewhere in the pile, a student loan that follows them no matter what. That last one is the tricky part. Bankruptcy can wipe out a lot, but student debt plays by its own rules.
Those rules just shifted in Central Florida. In July 2026, the bankruptcy court for the Middle District of Florida, which hears Orlando cases, launched a Student Loan Discharge Program that sets a standard process for borrowers trying to discharge federal student loans inside a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case. That makes the lawyer you pick matter even more. I looked at Orlando-area firms that handle both bankruptcy and student loan problems, and six earned a spot.
Takeaway: Who to Call First
Lewis Roberts, PA is the top pick in Orlando for people juggling bankruptcy questions and student loan trouble at the same time. Attorney Lewis Roberts has more than 20 years of debt relief experience and handles bankruptcy, student loans, and IRS tax problems under one roof. You meet with him directly, and he handles your case from start to finish. The office sits in Altamonte Springs, serves clients across Florida, and speaks Spanish. If you want one lawyer who can look at all your debt and tell you straight what bankruptcy can and can’t fix, start with Lewis Roberts.
Orlando Student Loan and Bankruptcy Firms Compared
| Firm | Main Focus | Student Loan Help | Experience | Location | Good Match For |
| Lewis Roberts, PA | Bankruptcy, student loans, tax relief | Default, garnishment, consolidation, repayment plans, discharge review | 20+ years | Altamonte Springs | Mixed debt: bills, student loans, and taxes |
| Juan Burgos Law | Chapter 7, 11, 13, and Subchapter V | Discharge cases under the new 2026 court program | Free online discharge screener | Orlando | Spanish or Portuguese speakers testing a discharge claim |
| Law Offices of Joseph J. Mancuso, PA | Bankruptcy, foreclosure, debt relief | Negotiation and repayment help | Licensed since 1991 | Orlando, Casselberry | Long-time homeowners facing foreclosure |
| Badgley Law Group | Chapter 13 and wage garnishment | Paycheck protection while you sort out other debt | Regular practice in the Orlando Division | Orlando | Workers whose wages are being garnished |
| Nater Law Firm, PLLC | Personal bankruptcy | Forgiveness and repayment options | Flat-fee practice | Orlando | Filers who want a set price upfront |
| Tejes Law | Bankruptcy and civil litigation | Student loans inside bankruptcy | Practicing since 2008 | Orlando | Cases with a lawsuit or collection fight |
How I Sorted Them
I kept it simple. Each firm had to file consumer bankruptcy cases in the Orlando division of the Middle District of Florida. Each had to show real student loan work or the Chapter 13 skills that protect a paycheck while debt gets sorted out. And each needed a public track record: years of practice, reviews, or a clear list of services you can check yourself.
1. Lewis Roberts, PA
Here’s what makes this office different. Most bankruptcy firms stop at the petition. Lewis Roberts keeps going. His student loan practice covers getting federal loans out of default, stopping wage garnishment, ending tax refund intercepts, consolidation, choosing a repayment plan, and reviewing whether you qualify for an administrative discharge. He’s also honest about the odds. Discharging student loans in bankruptcy is rare, and he says so. But if you fall into that small group who can, he’ll tell you.
Add in tax resolution, including offers in compromise and IRS installment agreements, and you get a lawyer who can see your whole financial picture. Clients mention quick replies, even on weekends, and no surprises along the way. Other attorneys refer bankruptcy clients to him too.
Why call: You have student loans plus other debt and want one plan that covers all of it.
Website: lrlawoffice.com | Address: 999 Douglas Ave #2214 Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
2. Juan Burgos Law
Timing puts this firm on the list. Juan Burgos Law began taking student loan discharge cases right after the Middle District launched its new program, and it built a free Student Loan Discharge Screener so people can check where they stand before they ever see a courtroom. The firm handles Chapter 7, 11, 13, and Subchapter V cases and gives direct counsel in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Why call: You want to know if the new court program could actually erase your federal loans.
Website: juanburgoslaw.com
3. Law Offices of Joseph J. Mancuso, PA
Joseph Mancuso has been licensed in Florida since 1991, with offices in downtown Orlando and Casselberry. His practice covers bankruptcy, debt settlement, and foreclosure, and his student loan page focuses on negotiating with lenders and putting together the paperwork for a workable plan.
Why call: A foreclosure notice is on the table next to your student loan bills.
Website: orlandodebtlawyer.com
4. Badgley Law Group
Garnishment eats a paycheck fast. Badgley Law Group focuses on stopping it, and the firm points out that the automatic stay kicks in the same day a Chapter 13 petition is accepted, which forces the employer to stop taking money. Its attorneys appear regularly in the Orlando Division and know how the local Chapter 13 trustee reviews and confirms plans.
Why call: Money is already coming out of your wages, and you need it to stop now.
Website: badgleylawgroup.com
5. Nater Law Firm, PLLC
Money is already tight when you file. That’s why attorney Fanny Nater uses flat-fee pricing with no hidden charges, so you know the full cost before you start. The firm also walks clients through student loan forgiveness and repayment choices alongside the bankruptcy itself.
Why call: You want a clear price before you commit.
Website: naterlaw.com
6. Tejes Law, PLLC
Joshua Tejes has handled bankruptcy and civil litigation since 2008, working for both individuals and creditors in hundreds of cases. Seeing the creditor side gives him a useful read on how lenders think. The firm offers free consultations for student loan bankruptcy questions.
Why call: A creditor already sued you, or a collection fight is heading to court.
Website: tejeslaw.com
Three Questions to Ask at Your Consultation
Will you look at my federal student loan records before we talk plans? A good lawyer will ask you to pull your loan history from studentaid.gov first. Will you personally handle my case, or will I work with staff? And what exactly does your fee cover if my case needs a separate discharge proceeding? That’s where surprise bills show up.
FAQ
Can student loans be discharged in bankruptcy in Florida?
Sometimes. You have to file a separate proceeding inside your bankruptcy and show that repaying would cause undue hardship. The Middle District of Florida’s new 2026 program gives Orlando borrowers a standard process for federal loans held by the Department of Education, so it’s worth asking a lawyer whether you qualify.
Will bankruptcy stop student loan wage garnishment?
Filing puts an automatic stay in place, which stops most collection, including garnishment, while the case is open. It doesn’t erase the loan by itself.
What’s the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 wipes out most unsecured debt in a few months if you pass the income test. Chapter 13 sets up a three to five year payment plan and often helps people keep a house or car.
Will I lose my home if I file in Florida?
Not usually. Florida has one of the strongest homestead exemptions in the country, and filing stops a foreclosure right away.
How much does a bankruptcy lawyer in Orlando cost?
It depends on the chapter and the firm. Chapter 7 is often a flat fee, while Chapter 13 fees are usually paid through the plan. Get the number in writing before you sign.