Indianapolis bankruptcy law firm handling Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 filings for Indiana individuals and couples. Free consultations; $0 down Chapter 13 available.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Jackson & Oglesby Law LLC is a consumer bankruptcy law firm based in Indianapolis, Indiana, founded around 2010 and BBB-accredited since January 6, 2012. The firm is led by partners Michael Jackson and Dana Oglesby, who bring a combined 30+ years of legal experience exclusively in consumer bankruptcy. Operating from four office locations across central Indiana — two in Indianapolis, one in Greenwood, and one in Muncie — the firm serves individuals and married couples throughout the region who are facing unmanageable personal debt.
The firm handles only two practice areas: Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which allows qualified filers to discharge most unsecured debts through a liquidation process, and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which establishes a court-supervised repayment plan typically lasting three to five years. Jackson & Oglesby offers free initial consultations to all prospective clients. For Chapter 7, the firm advertises competitive attorney fees, while Chapter 13 filings are available with $0 down for qualified individuals — a meaningful access point for clients who cannot afford upfront legal costs. Flexible payment arrangements are available, though specific dollar amounts are not published on their website.
What distinguishes Jackson & Oglesby is its deliberate focus: this is not a general law firm that handles bankruptcy as one of many practice areas. Every attorney, every staff member, and every process is oriented around consumer bankruptcy specifically. The firm holds membership in the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA), the Indiana State Bar Association, the Indianapolis Bar Association, and the Kentucky Bar Association (Dana Oglesby is also licensed in Kentucky). Client reviews on Google (5.0/5 from 64 reviews) and Trustindex (5-star from 49+ reviews) consistently highlight staff responsiveness and compassionate handling of what are often stressful, emotionally difficult situations.
For Indiana residents who have already determined that bankruptcy is their best path forward, Jackson & Oglesby presents a credible, accessible option with a proven track record. The firm's main limitations are geographic (Indiana filers only) and scope-related: they do not offer debt settlement, debt negotiation, credit counseling, or credit repair services. Clients seeking alternatives to bankruptcy — such as debt management plans or settlement negotiations — would need to look elsewhere. Exact fee information is not available online, requiring a consultation to get real cost details.
While repairing your credit, a secured card builds positive payment history from day one. Several options require no credit check.
Yes. Jackson & Oglesby Law LLC is a registered company headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, founded in 2010. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau and are BBB-accredited.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
Jackson & Oglesby Law LLC is best suited for Indiana individuals and married couples who have concluded that bankruptcy — either Chapter 7 discharge or Chapter 13 restructuring — is their most viable path out of unmanageable debt. The $0 down Chapter 13 option and free consultations make the firm accessible to clients with limited liquidity. The key caveat: this is strictly a bankruptcy law practice, not a debt settlement service or credit counseling agency, so clients exploring non-bankruptcy alternatives will need to look elsewhere.
Woodforest National Bank is a community bank operating inside Walmart stores offering Second Chance Checking for ChexSystems-flagged consumers and full retail banking services.
Best for: Consumers with ChexSystems records who need a second chance checking account to re-enter mainstream banking, Walmart and Sam's Club shoppers who want in-store banking with weekend and evening hours
Bank of America Financial Center in Kensington, Philadelphia offering full-service banking with walk-up ATM, in-person specialist consultations, and mobile banking access.
Best for: Customers in the Kensington/Philadelphia area seeking full-service banking with local branch access, Small business owners needing commercial deposit services and merchant banking solutions
Christian Family Credit Union is a faith-based financial institution offering checking, savings, loans, and credit cards with a mission focused on Kingdom building and financial stewardship.
Best for: Christian families seeking adoption financing with faith-aligned lending values, Churches and Christian ministries requiring building project financing or ministry account services
Whether you're recovering from bankruptcy, divorce, job loss, or years of debt, here's a practical roadmap for rebuilding your financial life.
Read guide →Compare the three most effective debt payoff methods with real examples. Find the strategy that matches your personality and financial situation.
Read guide →When you're retired, disabled, or on a fixed income, debt feels impossible. Here's a realistic plan that doesn't pretend you can just 'earn more.'
Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example
You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
A federal agency created in 2010 to protect consumers from unfair financial practices. They write rules, supervise financial companies, and handle consumer complaints.
The CFPB is your most powerful ally against predatory lenders. Filing a complaint with them gets a response from the company within 15 days — companies take CFPB complaints seriously.
Example
A debt collector calls your workplace after you told them to stop. You file a CFPB complaint online. Within 15 days, the collection agency responds and agrees to stop. The CFPB tracks complaint patterns across all companies.
A time limit (typically 3-6 years, varies by state) after which a creditor can no longer sue you to collect a debt. The debt still exists, but they lose the legal power to force payment.
Knowing your state's statute of limitations prevents you from being tricked into paying debts that are legally uncollectable. Beware: making a payment can restart the clock.
Example
You have a $3,000 credit card debt from 2019. Your state has a 4-year statute of limitations. In 2024, a collector calls demanding payment. The statute has expired — they cannot sue you.
A federal law that limits what debt collectors can do. They can't call before 8am or after 9pm, can't harass you, can't lie, and must stop contacting you if you request in writing.
Knowing your FDCPA rights stops abusive collection tactics. If a collector violates the law, you can sue for up to $1,000 per violation plus attorney fees.
Example
A collector calls your workplace 3 times after you told them not to. That's 3 FDCPA violations. You hire a consumer attorney (free — they get paid by the collector). The collector settles for $3,000.
A court order that requires your employer to withhold part of your paycheck and send it directly to a creditor. Usually happens after a creditor sues you and wins a judgment.
Federal law limits garnishment to 25% of disposable income. Some states have lower limits. Student loans and taxes can be garnished without a court order.
Example
You owe $8,000 on a defaulted credit card. The bank sues, gets a judgment, and garnishes your wages. On a $3,000/month net paycheck, they take $750/month until the debt is paid.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Consolidation works best when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
Negotiating with creditors to accept less than the full amount you owe — typically 40-60 cents on the dollar. Usually done after you've already fallen behind on payments.
Settlement can save thousands, but it severely damages your credit (settled accounts show for 7 years) and the IRS may tax the forgiven amount as income.
Example
You owe $15,000 on a credit card and negotiate a settlement of $7,500 (50%). You save $7,500 but: your credit drops 100+ points, the account shows 'settled' for 7 years, and you may owe taxes on the $7,500 forgiven.
When a creditor declares your debt a loss after 180 days of nonpayment and removes it from their books. But you still owe the money — they just stop expecting to collect it themselves.
A charge-off is one of the most damaging entries on your credit report and stays for 7 years. The debt is usually sold to a collection agency who will pursue you for it.
Example
You stop paying your $4,000 credit card. After 180 days, the bank charges it off and sells the debt to a collector for $800. The collector now contacts you demanding the full $4,000 (they profit from what they collect above $800).
When an unpaid debt is transferred or sold to a third-party collection agency that specializes in recovering the money. Collection accounts appear on your credit report for 7 years.
Even a $50 collection account can drop your score 50-100 points. Some newer FICO models (FICO 9) ignore paid collections, but many lenders still use older models.
Example
An old $200 gym bill goes to collections. It appears on all 3 credit reports and drops your 720 score to 640. Paying it helps with newer scoring models but under FICO 8 (still widely used), a paid collection still hurts.
A type of bankruptcy that wipes out most unsecured debts (credit cards, medical bills) by liquidating non-exempt assets. It stays on your credit for 10 years.
Chapter 7 gives you a fresh start but at a steep cost: 10 years on your credit, difficulty getting loans, and you may lose assets. Income must be below your state's median to qualify.
Example
You have $45,000 in credit card debt and earn $35,000/year. Chapter 7 erases the debt. You keep exempt property (basic car, household items). Your score drops to ~500 but you're debt-free.
A type of bankruptcy where you keep your assets but follow a court-approved 3-5 year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts. Stays on credit for 7 years.
Chapter 13 is better than Chapter 7 if you have a home or assets you want to keep. It can stop foreclosure and let you catch up on mortgage payments over 3-5 years.
Example
You're 3 months behind on your mortgage and have $30,000 in credit card debt. Chapter 13 stops foreclosure and puts you on a 5-year plan: you pay $600/month to catch up on the mortgage and pay 40% of the credit card debt.
A court ruling that says you legally owe a specific amount to a creditor. It gives the creditor power to garnish wages, freeze bank accounts, or place liens on your property.
Judgments are enforceable for 10-20 years (varies by state) and can be renewed. They give creditors far more collection power than a simple unpaid debt.
Example
A credit card company sues you for $8,000 and wins a judgment. They can now garnish 25% of your paycheck ($750/month on a $3,000 net salary) and freeze your bank account.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
Affiliate Disclosure: CreditDoc may earn a commission when you click links to Jackson & Oglesby Law LLC and other services. These commissions help us maintain our free research. Our editorial team independently evaluates all services. Compensation does not influence our ratings or rankings. Learn more.