67/100LFR Score
Ranked #1 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 113 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Bankruptcy Lawyers in Merced, CA: 2026 rankings
17 bankruptcy lawyers ranked by LFR ScoreUpdated 0 paid placements in this rankingHow we rank →
The short answer
- 1
Highest LFR Score in Merced: Law Offices of Jeffrey D. Rowe, LFR Score 67/100; 5.0★ from 113 Google reviews.
- 2
Open 24 hours (per Google): Modesto Bankruptcy Attorneys, posts 24/7 hours; ranked #2 of 17.
- 4
Most-reviewed: Law Office of Thomas P. Hogan, 279 Google reviews at 4.3★, the most of 17 ranked; ranked #4.
Rankings can't be bought. Lawyers can't pay to change their rank or score. How we rank
17 Merced bankruptcy lawyers are ranked here by LFR Score, from nine published factors. 1 is open 24/7, 2 open Saturdays and 1 open Sundays, based on posted hours. The median Google rating is 4.4★ across 17 rated law firms.
Top 10 bankruptcy lawyers in Merced at a glance
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
| Rank | Business | LFR Score | Google rating | Based in | Hours | Notable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Law Offices of Jeffrey D. Rowe | 67 | 5.0★ (113) | Merced | — | Top score |
| 2 | Modesto Bankruptcy Attorneys | 66 | 4.9★ (98) | Modesto, 37 mi away | Open 24 hrs (Google) | Open 24 hours |
| 3 | Law Office of Seth L. Hanson | 61 | 5.0★ (120) | Modesto, 37 mi away | — | — |
| 4 | Law Office of Thomas P. Hogan | 60 | 4.3★ (279) | Modesto, 37 mi away | — | Most reviews |
| 5 | Law Office of Flor A. Tataje | 59 | 4.9★ (65) | Modesto, 37 mi away | — | — |
| 6 | Salgado Law Office | 58 | 4.4★ (91) | Modesto, 37 mi away | — | — |
| 7 | Central Valley Business & Tax | 57 | 3.9★ (16) | Ceres, 32 mi away | Sat | — |
| 8 | Rai Law Firm | 57 | 4.5★ (36) | Modesto, 37 mi away | — | — |
| 9 | Law Offices of Mark S. Nelson | 56 | 4.4★ (28) | Modesto, 37 mi away | — | — |
| 10 | Borton Petrini, LLP | 55 | 3.9★ (37) | Modesto, 37 mi away | — | — |
All 17 bankruptcy lawyers in Merced, in rank order
Ordered by LFR Score, a 0–100 score from nine published factors. Paid placement never changes the order.
Ranked by our published LFR Score from public data, not by payment; a rank is not an endorsement or a prediction of results.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
66/100LFR ScoreRanked #2 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 98 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
61/100LFR ScoreRanked #3 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 120 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
60/100LFR ScoreRanked #4 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.3★ from 279 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
59/100LFR ScoreRanked #5 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.9★ from 65 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
58/100LFR ScoreRanked #6 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 91 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Ceres, 32 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #7 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#8 Rai Law Firm
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
57/100LFR ScoreRanked #8 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.5★ from 36 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
56/100LFR ScoreRanked #9 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.4★ from 28 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #10 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 37 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #11 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.1★ from 19 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#12 Dan Farrar Law
Based in Turlock, 24 mi away
55/100LFR ScoreRanked #12 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#13 Haddix Law Firm
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #13 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 4.6★ from 11 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
#14 Latino Law
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #14 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.9★ from 16 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 40 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #15 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 5.0★ from 3 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
54/100LFR ScoreRanked #16 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 3.6★ from 15 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 7 of 9 factors; bar status and recency not yet collected.
Based in Modesto, 37 mi away
53/100LFR ScoreRanked #17 because of its Google rating and practice area focus: 1.0★ from 4 Google reviews, listed on Google as “Bankruptcy attorney”.
Based on 6 of 9 factors; bar status, recency and availability not yet collected.
Also serving Merced
8 more bankruptcy lawyers within 40 mi that we can't rank yet: too few reviews, or a practice area we couldn't confirm. Listed A to Z.
| Business | Google rating | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| AAA Bankruptcy Assistance | In Merced | |
| Alpert Steven A | 37 mi | |
| Bankruptcy Law Office | 8 mi | |
| Budget Bankruptcy | 5.0★ (1) | 36 mi |
| Friend Younger PC | 3.0★ (2) | 37 mi |
| Macdonald Fernandez LLP | 37 mi | |
| Mark S. Nelson Law Offices Bankruptcy Department | 5.0★ (2) | 37 mi |
| Mussman & Mussman, LLP | 5.0★ (1) | 39 mi |
How we ranked Merced bankruptcy lawyers
We scored 17 Merced bankruptcy lawyers on nine factors, weighted as shown. A law firm is ranked when its practice area is confirmed and it has 3 or more Google reviews or a claimed profile. A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency. Other unknown factors are left out, not counted as zero. Scores last refreshed November 9, 2026.
Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Attorney advertising businesses are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.
| Factor | Weight | Computed from | In Merced data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reputation | 25% | Google star rating, adjusted for how many reviews back it | Measured |
| Bar status | 10% | An active bar or law society record matched to a lawyer at the firm (not measured until a record source is loaded) | Not yet collected |
| Review volume | 10% | Number of Google reviews, compared with the most-reviewed firm on the list | Measured |
| Recency | 10% | Share of reviews from the last 12 months | Not yet collected |
| Availability | 5% | Weekly office hours, Saturday, Sunday, and phones answered 24/7 | Measured |
| Practice focus | 15% | How clearly the firm practises this area (its Google category and name) | Measured |
| Proximity | 5% | An office in the city scores highest, less the farther away it is | Measured |
| Claimed profile | 10% | The firm has claimed its Law Firms Ranked profile (free and paid earn the same) | Measured |
| Law Firms Ranked reviews | 10% | Verified client reviews collected by Law Firms Ranked: their rating and how many there are | Measured |
How to choose a bankruptcy lawyer
- Check the lawyer’s status and any public discipline in the state bar or law society directory.
- Ask how many bankruptcy law matters the lawyer handles each year, and who at the firm will do the work.
- Get the fee arrangement in writing: hourly, flat or contingency, and which costs are charged on top.
- Ask how and how often the firm will update you, and how fast it answers calls and emails.
- Read recent reviews for how the firm communicated and billed, not only for outcomes.
- Ask whether the lawyer, not only staff, will review your forms and go with you to the meeting of creditors.
- Meet more than one firm; many offer a short first consultation, sometimes free.
Questions to ask a bankruptcy lawyer
- How would you approach a matter like mine, and what are the realistic options?
- How do you charge, and what will the total likely cost?
- Who will be my main contact, and how quickly do you reply?
- Which chapter fits my situation, and why?
- Which of my property is exempt?
- Is there any conflict of interest that would stop you representing me?
Terms explained
- Contingency fee
- A fee that is a share of the money recovered, paid only if there is a recovery. Common in injury cases; not allowed for criminal defense or for securing a divorce.
- Retainer
- Money paid up front and held in a trust account, which the lawyer draws on as fees are earned.
- Flat fee
- One set price for a defined piece of work, such as a will or an uncontested matter.
- Limited-scope representation
- Paying a lawyer for part of a matter only, such as reviewing documents or coaching for one hearing (also called unbundled services).
- Statute of limitations
- The deadline to file a lawsuit or charge. It differs by state or province and by type of claim.
- Good standing
- A lawyer’s status as active and eligible to practise with a state bar or law society.
- Law society
- The body that licenses and disciplines lawyers in a Canadian province or territory.
- Board certification
- Recognition in a field of law by a state program or an organisation accredited for that purpose. Lawyers may only claim it when they hold it, naming the certifying body.
- Attorney–client privilege
- The rule that keeps confidential communications between a client and lawyer, made for legal advice, out of court.
- Conflict check
- The search a firm runs before taking a matter to make sure it does not represent someone on the other side.
- Pro bono
- Legal work done for free, usually for people who cannot afford a lawyer.
- Legal aid
- Publicly funded legal help for people with low incomes, through legal aid offices, public defenders or provincial legal aid plans.
Bankruptcy lawyers in Merced: frequently asked questions
Which bankruptcy lawyer has the highest LFR Score in Merced?
By LFR Score, the highest-ranked bankruptcy lawyer in Merced, CA is Law Offices of Jeffrey D. Rowe with an LFR Score of 67/100. It has 5.0★ from 113 Google reviews. Modesto Bankruptcy Attorneys (#2) and Law Office of Seth L. Hanson (#3) follow. We ranked 17 bankruptcy lawyers on nine factors, last updated November 9, 2026.
How many bankruptcy lawyers are there in Merced?
LawFirmsRanked ranks 17 bankruptcy lawyers serving Merced, CA. 1 of them is based in Merced; the rest serve it from nearby towns. Another 8 within 40 mi are listed but not ranked yet. Counts are as of November 2026.
Which bankruptcy lawyers in Merced are open 24/7?
1 ranked bankruptcy lawyer in Merced posts 24/7 hours. The highest-ranked is Modesto Bankruptcy Attorneys (#2). Hours come from each law firm's Google listing as of November 2026, so call to confirm.
Which bankruptcy lawyers in Merced work on weekends?
2 of 17 ranked bankruptcy lawyers post Saturday hours and 1 post Sunday hours. The highest-ranked open Saturdays are Modesto Bankruptcy Attorneys (#2) and Central Valley Business & Tax (#7). Posted hours are office hours; many firms meet clients by appointment outside them.
What Google rating do Merced bankruptcy lawyers have?
The median Google rating among 17 rated bankruptcy lawyers in Merced is 4.4★, with a median of 28 reviews. Law Office of Thomas P. Hogan has the most, 279 reviews, and ranks #4. We adjust ratings for review count, so a few five-star reviews cannot top the list.
How does LawFirmsRanked rank bankruptcy lawyers?
Each bankruptcy lawyer gets a 0–100 LFR Score from nine published factors, led by reputation (25%), practice focus (15%), review volume (10%) and recency (10%). A law firm with no Google reviews scores zero on rating, review volume and recency; other factors we cannot measure are left out. Only law firms with a confirmed practice area and 3 or more reviews, or a claimed profile, are ranked.
Do bankruptcy lawyers outside Merced count in this ranking?
Yes, if they are within 40 mi of the Merced city center, our service radius for bankruptcy lawyers. Each listing shows where the law firm is based and how far away it is. Proximity is 5% of the LFR Score, so a nearby law firm gets a small edge.
Can bankruptcy lawyers pay to rank higher on LawFirmsRanked?
No. The LFR Score never reads payment status, and this ranking has 0 paid placements. Up to 3 Featured law firms may appear above the list, labelled Attorney advertising and showing their honest rank.
How do bankruptcy lawyers in Merced, CA charge?
Consumer bankruptcy lawyers usually charge a flat fee for Chapter 7; Chapter 13 fees are often paid partly through the repayment plan and are reviewed by the court. Under federal law they must give you written disclosures and a written contract (11 U.S.C. §§526–528). Lawyers using Clio billed an average of $481 an hour in this area (Clio Legal Trends data, October 2026; all areas $362). Ask for the fee arrangement in writing before you agree.
What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 sells non-exempt property to pay creditors and usually ends in a few months; Chapter 13 keeps your property under a three- to five-year repayment plan. Income and assets decide which you can use. This is general information, not legal advice.
How is this list of bankruptcy lawyers in Merced, CA ranked?
By LFR Score only, from public data on reviews, practice focus, office location and hours. Firms labelled “Attorney advertising” paid for that placement; payment never changes a rank, and a rank is not an endorsement.
Does a lawyer need an office in Merced?
No, but the lawyer must be licensed in your state (or, for federal matters such as immigration, in some state). A local office makes meetings and court appearances easier, so proximity is one of our factors.
Update log for Merced
- November 2026: LFR Scores recalculated for 17 bankruptcy lawyers serving Merced.
More bankruptcy lawyers and Merced pages
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