The phone never stops
Creditors call at work, at dinner, and on weekends. You start screening every number because you already know what the call is about.
Bankruptcy & Debt Relief · Augusta · Dublin · Statesboro, GA
We can help you file bankruptcy and stop creditor pressure.
If collection calls, garnishment, repossession, or foreclosure are closing in, you still have options. We help people across Georgia use Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or Subchapter 5 to protect what the law allows and move forward with a clear plan.
Free, confidential consultation
Respect, not judgment
100+ years of combined experience
Chapter 7 Chapter 13 Subchapter 5
A real plan, in writing
Three Georgia offices
We know where you are
Debt has a way of making good people feel bad.
Debt trouble usually has a reason. A job ends. A medical bill arrives. A marriage comes apart. The income that used to cover everything no longer does, and the calls begin.
The threats feel real
Garnishment, repossession, foreclosure, and lawsuits have real deadlines. Ignoring the notices does not make those deadlines stop.
The shame keeps you quiet
You may think you should have handled this on your own. You do not have to. Bankruptcy law exists because financial problems can outgrow a person's ability to fix them alone.
Do not wait for a sale date, garnishment order, or repossession to choose for you. Find out what can still be protected before you file anything.
Meet your guide
We have walked this road with thousands of Georgians.
Most people who call us did not arrive here because of one reckless decision. Something changed: work, health, family, or the cost of keeping up. We start with what happened and what needs protection now.
Angela McElroy-Magruder has practiced in Georgia since 1991 and was the first attorney serving Augusta, Statesboro and Dublin to earn board certification in consumer bankruptcy. Her published cases include disputes involving mortgage servicing and consumer protection. We will tell you what bankruptcy can do, what it cannot do, and which option fits your facts.
100+
Years of combined experience
3
Office locations serving you
Free
Confidential first consultation
1979
Trusted in Augusta since
Helping people resolve difficult debt problems, and find their way back to solid ground.
Your path forward
Tell us what is happening. We will show you the next step.
You do not need to choose a bankruptcy chapter before you call. That is part of our job.
Tell us what changed
Call, text, or request a free consultation. We listen first and ask about the debts, income, property, and deadlines that matter.
See your real options
We compare Chapter 7, Chapter 13, Subchapter 5, and non-bankruptcy options. You will know what each path can protect and what it requires.
File with a plan
If bankruptcy is the right answer, we prepare the case, deal with the court and trustee, and help enforce the protections that apply after filing.
How we help
Full-service help when life turns hard.
Our firm has years of experience guiding families through difficult financial and personal legal times. A few of the ways we help:
Foreclosure & Mortgage Defense
Extensive experience in mortgage abuse and foreclosure matters, including cases that shaped Georgia law.
Divorce & Family Law
Helping families reach a fair settlement and move forward with dignity.
Personal Injury
Standing with you when you have been injured, including wrongful death and trucking cases.
Wills & Powers of Attorney
Preparing the documents that protect you and the people who depend on you.
Stop Wage Garnishment
If money is already coming out of your paycheck, learn how bankruptcy may stop the garnishment.
Bankruptcy FAQ
Answers to the questions most people are afraid to ask out loud.
Articles & Resources
Read up on bankruptcy and divorce on your own time, at your own pace.
What happens when you call
Start with the facts. Leave with a clear next step.
No mystery. No pressure. And no bill for finding out where you really stand.
- A free, private sit-down with a real Georgia bankruptcy attorney, not a call-center screener.
- A plain-English read on your situation: what you owe, what can be protected, and what the law actually allows.
- Your options in writing, so you can decide with a clear head instead of fear.
- Straight answers about your home, your car, your wages, and your peace of mind.
Bring every notice with a date on it. Garnishments, repossessions, and foreclosure sales run on legal schedules. Filing can stop many collection actions, but timing and prior cases matter. The earlier we see the documents, the more accurately we can tell you what remains possible.
The consultation is free and confidential. The only thing it costs is the time it takes to tell us your story.
P.S. You do not have to commit to filing during the consultation. First, find out where you stand.
In their own words
What clients say about working with us.
Chapter 13
"Ms. Angie was real helpful at helping me with my bankruptcy. I would recommend her to anyone with any kind of legal problem. Thank you."
Debra B.
Great Experience
"I was so embarrassed when I found myself needing to file. I had the greatest experience with the whole staff. Everyone was super helpful as I worked through all of the steps. I highly recommend!"
Jeanine
Well Pleased
"Lisa is very kind and professional. She really knows her way around the process. She helped me a lot and was non-judgmental, with a compassionate spirit. Everyone in the office is kind and friendly."
Crystal H.
Exceptional Firm
"Thank you for assisting me on this journey. The process wasn't easy, but your techniques and strategies helped me regain a fresh start. I am truly thankful. I hope the firm continues to help hurting people."
Elaine W.
The people in your corner
Meet the attorneys who will help you make a plan.
Bankruptcy & Consumer Litigation
Angela McElroy-Magruder
Admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar, Angie has handled published cases involving Georgia mortgage servicing and consumer protection. She is an artist and beekeeper outside the courtroom.
View profile →
Litigation & Personal Injury
John P. Claeys
An Augusta native and University of Georgia Law graduate who has handled thousands of civil cases since entering practice in 1979.
View profile →
Bankruptcy & Family Law
Kelly Brashear Kitchens
A former Augusta prosecutor who tried more than 100 cases before devoting her practice to helping families through bankruptcy and family law.
View profile →Straight answers
Questions you are probably afraid to ask.
In many cases, no. Georgia's exemptions and the right chapter are designed to protect essential property. We will tell you honestly what is at risk and what is not before you file anything.
Your consultation is confidential. A bankruptcy filing is a public court record, but the court does not send a general announcement to friends or neighbors. We handle every case with discretion and respect.
In most cases, filing creates an automatic stay that stops collection calls, garnishments, and many foreclosure actions. Exceptions apply, and a creditor may ask the court to lift the stay, so tell us about any deadline right away.
Chapter 7 can erase qualifying debt quickly. Chapter 13 reorganizes what you owe into a manageable plan. Subchapter 5 is a streamlined path for small businesses. We help you choose the one that fits.
Your first consultation is free. You will know your real options before you spend a single dollar on a filing.
No. It is a legal tool Congress created so honest people can recover from circumstances they did not choose. Using it is responsible, not shameful.
We are here to help
Picture the first morning the phone rings and it is not a threat.
You do not have to figure this out before you call. Tell us what is happening. We will explain whether bankruptcy can stop the immediate pressure, what property may be protected, and what you need to do next.
Augusta
512 Telfair Street
Augusta, GA 30901
Phone: 706-724-6000
Fax: 706-724-3363
Dublin
1205 Bellevue Place, Suite A
Dublin, GA 31021
Phone: 478-275-8311
Fax: 478-275-8399
Statesboro
200 South Main Street
Statesboro, GA 30458
Phone: 912-764-7000
Fax: 912-489-7196
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Request your free consultation.
Tell us how to reach you and what kind of help you need. Please do not include Social Security numbers, account numbers or confidential documents.
Prefer to call or text?
Text is a convenient way to reach us after hours. It is not monitored as an emergency service. For our main office line, call 706-724-6000.
Claeys, McElroy-Magruder & Kitchens is a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and we serve clients throughout Augusta, Dublin, Statesboro and the surrounding Georgia communities. The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.