So far, 2025 has been a year of constant ups and downs, marked by increasing unpredictability. Financial markets have responded accordingly, fluctuating wildly and dramatically impacting investments and 401(k) accounts. Adding to the tumult, rising costs and the threat of new tariffs are stretching household budgets thinner than ever.
At the same time, the much-hyped promise of artificial intelligence, paired with sustained instability, has triggered layoffs across industries. Additionally, this continued financial uncertainty has resulted in a 16% increase in individual Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings, according to a May 6 story from the MortgagePoint.
This surge means that bankruptcy attorneys are busier than ever and need all the help that they can get to streamline their burgeoning caseloads and increase efficiency. Enter bankruptcy software, which addresses many of the challenges associated with this practice area.
The sheer volume and complexity of paperwork, combined with the need for precise timing and compliance, make these proceedings especially vulnerable to human error and administrative bottlenecks. Bankruptcy matters are document-intensive and procedurally rigid, requiring meticulous management of petitions, schedules, proofs of claim and court filings. Inflexible statutory deadlines must be carefully tracked, and clear and effective internal and client communication is essential.
That’s where bankruptcy software comes in. It can automate routine tasks and workflows, generate documents, support e-filing and manage billing and processes. If the right software tools are in place, friction is reduced from client intake to payment collection, and firmwide productivity is maximized.
Before you choose
Below, we’ll examine several bankruptcy software tools and their current functionality. While this isn’t a comprehensive list of every product on the market, it provides an overview of the main features and differentiators, enabling you to make thoughtful, informed choices about the tools best suited for your law firm’s needs.
A noteworthy development across many legal technology platforms is the move toward incorporating generative AI. For all the tools discussed, it’s worth inquiring about implemented and planned updates, as AI advancements are likely to change how bankruptcy filings and related documentation are assembled.
Before reviewing specific options, it’s important to note that the bankruptcy tools discussed below are cloud-based. This means that your data will reside on third-party servers. The duty of technology competence requires that technology providers be carefully evaluated. This includes understanding where the data will be stored, who will have access to it, how frequently it’s backed up, and how the provider will safeguard that data.
If a platform includes AI-driven features, additional due diligence is necessary. You’ll want to explore accuracy metrics, understand how client and firm data is protected, and verify whether any information entered into the system will be used to train AI models in the future.
With these considerations in mind, let’s take a look at a few of the cloud-based bankruptcy software tools currently available to firms. Pricing will be listed if it is available on the company’s website.
Bankruptcy tools for law firms
First, let’s focus on law practice management software for bankruptcy firms. Jubilee Pro is one example. It offers comprehensive cloud-based bankruptcy software that includes e-filing and features like document management, credit report imports, client texting and LawPay-powered online payments. Pricing is available on the website and is dependent on your firm’s specific needs.
Another option is NextChapter, a cloud-based platform for managing Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. Features vary across different pricing tiers and can include a client portal, CM/ECF e-filing, means testing, document automation and payment tools. AI features support smart form validation, workflow triggers and task automation. Pricing starts at $159 per year for up to four cases and up to six concurrent users.
Best Case by Stretto offers a fully web-based bankruptcy platform called the Best Case cloud. The annual subscription includes forms for Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 local and federal filings and 10 gigabytes of data and document storage. Other features include e-filing, task management, a client portal and document management. It also includes automated updates, a secure client portal and tools to ensure compliance. Pricing starts at $99 per user per month.
Another tool for bankruptcy firms is BK Questionnaire, a cloud-based intake tool that automates the process of collecting debtor information. Using interview-style questions, it streamlines data entry for petitions and document requests, reducing administrative burdens. It integrates with NextChapter and Jubilee, and pricing starts at $39.99 for the standard plan. It’s unclear whether this price is for a single lifetime fee or a monthly subscription fee, nor is it apparent whether it’s for a single user or the entire firm.
Getting on the same page
Whether you’re interested in a technology upgrade or are seeking to implement bankruptcy software for the first time, you have a lot of viable options to choose from. No matter your firm’s needs, one of these cloud-based tools is sure to be a good fit and will streamline your firm’s operations and reduce inefficiencies, ensuring that everyone in your firm is on the same page.
Effectively managing bankruptcy cases can be a challenging endeavor, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Do your research, choose the right tool, and you’ll be well on your way to a more productive, profitable bankruptcy practice.
Nicole Black is a Rochester, New York-based attorney, author and journalist, and she is the principal legal insight strategist at Affinipay. She is the nationally recognized author of Cloud Computing for Lawyers and is a co-author of Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier, both published by the American Bar Association. She writes regular columns for ABAJournal.com and Above the Law, has authored hundreds of articles for other publications, and she regularly speaks at conferences regarding the intersection of law and emerging technologies. Follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @nikiblack, or she can be reached at [email protected].
