Text: 775-378-6289
Call: 775-329-7979 
620 E Plumb Ln. Ste. 210, Reno, NV  89502

"The Bankruptcy Lady"

Mary Beth Gardner

Free Consultations

Get To Know The Bankruptcy Lady

My name is MARY BETH GARDNER and I am a bankruptcy attorney. I am duly licensed to practice law by, and in good standing with, the State Bar of Nevada. My Bar Number is 3955. My office is in Reno, but I represent people all over Northern Nevada, including Carson City and all the rural areas. 

Unlike many bankruptcy attorneys who advertise on the internet, with me, there are no “packets", no "appearance attorneys", no para-legals or legal assistants – none of the things that put distance between you and an attorney (if there really is one). I am more than just "an attorney available to help you through the entire process."

I will be your attorney and you will work directly with me from start to finish. You call; you talk to me. We meet; you meet with me. You have questions; I answer them. I review your documents (paystubs, tax returns & bank statements). I prepare your petition. We review and you sign your papers with me at your side, page by page. 

I have been an attorney for many years and I am very good at what I do. I am easy to talk to. I am never judgmental. I take all calls and I return missed calls promptly. I work quickly. I pay close attention to my clients' needs and their circumstances. Most importantly, I will take excellent care of you. I am easily accessible, readily accommodating, and available 24/7. 

Contact me for a FREE in-person or telephone consultation: 

TELEPHONE: (775) 329-7979 

TEXT: (775) 378-6289

EMAIL: marybethgardner@hotmail.com


  • Is Bankruptcy For Me?

     Bankruptcy may be the answer to your financial problems. 


    Bankruptcy can get you out of debt from credit cards, payday loans, medical bills, repossession deficiencies, money judgments and more. 


    Bankruptcy can give you a clean slate. Garnishments can be stopped. Vehicle repossessions and foreclosures can be postponed and, in some instances, stopped. There's even the opportunity to seek mortgage modification in Chapter 13 cases and to work out the arrears on your car if you want to keep it. Older income taxes may be made to go away under both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. All lawsuits are stopped when a bankruptcy case is filed. 


    When you file bankruptcy, all those annoying & harassing phone calls are stopped! 

  • Can I Keep My House?

    Yes, but you've got to keep paying for it. It also needs to be homesteaded - I will prepare your homestead without additional charge. If you are behind in your house payments and/or you need a modification, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be your saving grace. If you are current in your payments, or own your home outright, you can do a Chapter 7 (after a homestead is recorded). 

  • Can I Keep My Car(s)?

    Yes, but if you still owe on it/them, you have to keep making the payments and keep up the insurance. If you want to give it back, you can do so in a Chapter 7 and not owe a dime. 

  • Can I Keep My Retirement?

    Yes, up to a million dollars, IF it is held in a manner consistent with various sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

  • Can I File Singly Without My Spouse?

    Yes, but if you are legally married and living together, your spouse's income must included (because we are a community property state). However, if you are legally separated or physically separated (i.e., living apart), your spouse's income need not be included. 

  • Is There a Minimum Amount I Must Owe Before Filing?

    No. Whether you owe a little or a lot, it can have an adverse impact on your life and bankruptcy can provide the relief you need

Bankruptcy in Nevada

A Little About the Petition Process

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 bankruptcies are generally painless and move quite quickly. You keep your car(s) and your house, as long as you keep up your payments, and your retirement accounts are safe. Whether you qualify for Chapter 7 depends on your gross income for the preceding six months. To make sure you can file for Chapter 7 relief, I encourage you to bring six months of income information (paystubs, etc) when you come in for your free consultation. 

I charge an attorney fee of $1,000.00 (sometimes less) for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy. Retain my services for $100.00 down, and we'll make a payment plan that works for you


Court Filing Fees

 My attorney fee does not include the Court's filing fee, which is $338.00 for Chapter 7 and $313.00 for Chapter 13. In either, the filing fee can be paid to the Court over a period of four months after your petition is filed. In some Chapter 7 cases the filing fee may be waived based on your gross income..

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 cases are those in which you make a monthly payment to the Chapter 13 Trustee for a period of three to five years to pay off part or all of your debt. The amount of the payment is determined by your ability to pay and, with a few exceptions, not the amount you owe. 

A Chapter 13 may be what you need if you're behind on your mortgage; if you need to modify your mortgage; if you are way behind on your car payments & want to keep the car; if you've been making car payments for at least three years & still owe more than the car is worth; if you have a second mortgage but are underwater on your first mortgage, if you have filed for & received a Chapter 7 discharge within the preceding eight years; or, if you need time to pay off a tax debt. 

Those are a few of the many reasons why people choose Chapter 13 over Chapter 7, but often times it’s not a matter of choice - it is because you make too much money to qualify for a Chapter 7. That’s why I encourage you to bring six months of income information to your free consultation. 

The standard fee for all attorneys in this area for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is $5,000.00, but the amount that I will ask you to pay to me up front is negotiable. My preference is to be paid $1,000.00 up front, but there are circumstances where that is simply not feasible and that is why I say it's negotiable. The remainder gets paid out of the money that you pay monthly to the Chapter 13 Trustee.


I Am Here For You!

I will give you an honest assessment of what is best for your situation. You may need and qualify for a Chapter 7; or you might need a Chapter 13; or, you may only need some credit repair guidance. If I can’t help you, I won’t waste your time or money, or mine. I am an honest attorney, and I will put your interests first. Your free consultation is a privileged communication. 

If you would like, I can certainly ask current or prior clients to provide references on my behalf. I don’t ask for testimonials because bankruptcy is a personal matter. 

I am easily accessible, readily accommodating, and available 24/7. Please reach out and get your questions answered. You need to know your options! 


Best of All

I may understand many of your struggles in a very personal way. I do not judge. My job is to pull you out from under whatever debt is crushing you. My job is to make your life easier.


"Mary Beth provided us with options and recommendations considering our current financial objectives. She provided insight into potential law changes that could affect us and made recommendations considering the current laws. She was thorough and made the entire process seem simple."

Anonymous for Lawyers.com

Get Started Today!

Don't wait! Contact me for a free telephone or in-person consultation. Let me help you figure out your best next steps. The sooner you act, the sooner you get relief. 

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