Key Facts: Melanie Sacks is a Jacksonville bankruptcy attorney who has filed 6,354+ bankruptcy cases over 27+ years of practice. She holds a Martindale-Hubbell BV Distinguished rating, an Avvo 10.0 “Superb” rating, and is named among the Top 3 Bankruptcy Lawyers in Jacksonville by Three Best Rated®. FL Bar #158070 — active since 1998. The Middle District of Florida is the 3rd busiest bankruptcy court in the nation. Call (904) 396-5557 for a free consultation.
Jacksonville Bankruptcy Attorney • FL Bar #158070
6,354+ cases filed • 27+ years of experience • 10,000+ satisfied clients
Martindale-Hubbell BV Distinguished • Avvo 10.0 Rating
(904) 396-5557 — Free Consultation
About Melanie Sacks
I have dedicated my entire legal career to one thing: helping Jacksonville families and individuals eliminate crushing debt and rebuild their financial lives through the protections provided by federal bankruptcy law. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 1998, I have personally guided more than 6,354 clients through Chapter 7 liquidation, Chapter 13 wage earner reorganization, and Chapter 11 business restructuring proceedings in the Middle District of Florida, which ranks as the 3rd busiest bankruptcy court in the nation with 21,048 total filings in 2024 alone. That volume of experience means I have seen virtually every financial scenario a Jacksonville resident or small business owner can face, from straightforward consumer Chapter 7 cases that discharge unsecured debt in three to six months, to complex Chapter 13 plans that stop foreclosure and restructure secured obligations over three to five years. My Avvo 10.0 Superb rating and Martindale-Hubbell BV Distinguished rating reflect that depth of experience.
I know that by the time someone calls a bankruptcy attorney, they’ve usually been losing sleep for months. Creditors are calling. Wages are being garnished. The stress affects everything — your health, your marriage, your ability to focus at work. I’ve seen it thousands of times, and I want you to know something: filing bankruptcy is not the end of your financial life. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.
At Sacks & Sacks, my husband Adam handles the family law side of our practice while I focus exclusively on bankruptcy. That’s all I do. This singular focus means I know the Middle District of Florida bankruptcy court inside and out — the trustees, the procedures, the exemptions, the timelines. When you work with me, you’re getting someone who has done this over 6,000 times.
Education & Credentials
I earned my undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in 1992 and my Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan in 1998, where I developed the analytical foundation and attention to procedural detail that bankruptcy practice demands. I passed the Florida Bar on my first attempt and immediately began practicing law in the state, focusing on consumer and business bankruptcy from the outset of my career. Over the 27+ years since my admission, I have built one of the most extensive bankruptcy caseloads in Northeast Florida, filing more than 6,354 cases in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. I am admitted to practice before both the Florida Bar (Bar #158070) and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, and I maintain active memberships in the American Bankruptcy Institute and the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Bar Admissions
- Florida Bar — admitted 1998, active and in good standing (Bar #158070)
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Practice Areas
My practice focuses exclusively on consumer and business bankruptcy under all three major chapters of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, making me one of the few attorneys in Jacksonville whose entire caseload is devoted to helping individuals and businesses navigate the federal bankruptcy system. This singular focus over 27+ years and more than 6,354 filed cases means I know the Middle District of Florida bankruptcy court inside and out, including the trustees, the local rules, the exemption strategies unique to Florida, and the procedural timelines that determine whether a case succeeds or fails. Whether you qualify for a Chapter 7 fresh start, need a Chapter 13 repayment plan to save your home from foreclosure, or require a Chapter 11 business reorganization to keep your company operating, I will evaluate your financial situation and recommend the filing strategy that provides the strongest legal protection available to you under federal law. My practice areas include:
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy — Liquidation and fresh start. Most unsecured debt is eliminated in 3–6 months. Florida’s unlimited homestead exemption means most filers keep their home.
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy — Wage earner reorganization. Restructure debts over 3–5 years while keeping all your assets. Stops foreclosure and catches up on mortgage arrears.
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy — Business reorganization. Allows companies to continue operating while restructuring debt obligations.
- Debt Consolidation & Negotiation — When bankruptcy isn’t the right fit, I help negotiate directly with creditors to reduce and restructure what you owe.
- Credit Score Recovery — Every client gets my proprietary 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program at no extra cost.
What Sets Me Apart
The 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score Program
Getting out of debt is only half the journey. Every bankruptcy client at Sacks & Sacks receives complimentary enrollment in my proprietary credit recovery program. This isn’t a generic handout — it’s a structured, step-by-step roadmap I developed after seeing thousands of clients struggle with the “what now?” after discharge. Many clients see meaningful credit score improvement within months of their case closing.
$0 Down Filing
I understand that when you need a bankruptcy attorney, you’re already in financial distress. That’s why I offer $0-down bankruptcy filing for qualifying cases. You shouldn’t have to go deeper into debt to get out of debt.
Virtual-First Service
You can work with me entirely from home — no office visits or court appearances required in most cases. From the initial consultation to filing your petition, I handle everything remotely. This approach reduces stress and makes the process as convenient as possible during an already difficult time.
Case Results & Track Record
Over 27+ years and 6,354+ filed cases, I have built one of the largest bankruptcy practices in Northeast Florida. These numbers reflect the volume, speed, and consistency my clients can expect when they choose Sacks & Sacks.
Volume & Speed
- 6,354+ bankruptcy cases filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Average time from consultation to filing: 5 business days through our Fast File program
- Same-day document preparation available for urgent cases facing wage garnishment, repossession, or foreclosure sale deadlines
- 99%+ Chapter 7 discharge rate
- 3-6 month average case completion for Chapter 7 filings from petition to discharge order
- Immediate automatic stay protection stops all creditor collection activity the moment we file (11 U.S.C. § 362)
Credit Rebuilding Results
Getting out of debt is only the first step. What happens to your credit score afterward is what matters most. Every client receives complimentary enrollment in my 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program.
- Average credit score increase of 69 points within the first year after discharge (LendingTree)
- Many clients reach 700+ credit score within 12-18 months by following the 7-step program
- Credit card approval within 6-12 months of discharge using the secured credit card strategy
- Mortgage qualification within 2-4 years after Chapter 7 (FHA requires 2-year wait, conventional 4 years)
- Auto loan approval often immediate with rates improving significantly after 12-18 months of rebuilding
The filing stays on your credit report for 7 years (Chapter 13) or 10 years (Chapter 7), but its impact diminishes rapidly. Most credit score recovery happens in the first 12-24 months.
Professional Memberships
- The Florida Bar — active member since 1998
- American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI)
- National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA)
- Jacksonville Bankruptcy Bar Association
- Jacksonville Bar Association
Awards & Recognition
- Martindale-Hubbell “BV Distinguished” Rating — recognizing exceptional legal ability and high ethical standards
- Avvo 10.0 “Superb” Rating — the highest possible score, based on 44 client reviews
- Three Best Rated® — named one of the Top 3 Bankruptcy Lawyers in Jacksonville, FL (selected through a 50-point inspection covering reputation, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost, and general excellence)
- 4.6-Star Rating — across 226+ verified client reviews on Birdeye
About Our Firm
The Law Offices of Sacks & Sacks, P.A. is a family-run boutique law firm that Adam and I founded in Jacksonville in 2007. With over 50 years of combined legal experience between us, we offer the depth of knowledge you would expect from a large firm with the personal attention that only a small, family-operated practice can provide. When you call our office, you speak directly with the attorney handling your case. You will never be passed off to a paralegal or junior associate for your initial consultation, your case strategy, or your court appearances. That level of direct access is rare at larger firms, and it is one of the reasons our clients consistently leave five-star reviews.
Adam handles all family law matters — divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and alimony. I handle all bankruptcy matters. This division lets each of us do what we do best, and our clients benefit from that focus.
We’re located at 1646 Emerson St., Suite B, Jacksonville, FL 32207, but most of our bankruptcy clients work with us entirely remotely.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
If you are struggling with overwhelming debt, facing creditor lawsuits, wage garnishment, vehicle repossession, or home foreclosure, I want you to know: federal bankruptcy law provides real legal protections that can stop collection actions and give you a genuine fresh start. I have personally guided more than 6,354 Jacksonville-area residents and business owners through the bankruptcy process over 27+ years of practice in the Middle District of Florida. I have seen every financial situation you can imagine, and I can help you too.
When you call (904) 396-5557, you will speak directly with me for a free, no-pressure consultation. I will review your financial situation, explain whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or an alternative like debt consolidation is the right path for you, and answer every question you have about the process, timeline, and cost.
I offer $0-down filing for qualifying cases because you should not have to go deeper into debt to get out of debt.
Call (904) 396-5557 for a free bankruptcy consultation. No judgment, no pressure — just honest answers from someone who has done this over 6,000 times.
