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Experienced Legal Guidance for Your Bankruptcy and Debt Relief Needs
At Vanhemelrijck Law Offices, P.C., our attorneys are committed to providing knowledgeable, personalized legal representation to individuals, families, and small-business owners facing financial challenges. With extensive experience in bankruptcy and debt-relief matters, our legal team takes the time to understand each client’s circumstances and explain their available options clearly. From Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy to issues involving wage garnishment, creditor lawsuits, foreclosure, and vehicle repossession, we work closely with our clients throughout the legal process. Serving San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding Texas communities, our goal is to provide experienced legal guidance with personal attention and respect.
J. Robert Vanhemelrijck – San Antonio Bankruptcy Attorney
J. Robert Vanhemelrijck is the Founding and Managing Partner of Vanhemelrijck Law Offices, P.C., a San Antonio bankruptcy law firm serving individuals, families, and small businesses throughout San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding Texas communities.
With extensive experience in consumer and small business bankruptcy, Mr. Vanhemelrijck has personally handled the filing of more than 7,500 bankruptcy cases in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. His experience includes helping clients navigate financial challenges involving overwhelming debt, creditor collection activity, wage garnishment, vehicle repossession, foreclosure concerns, and other serious financial pressures.
Experienced San Antonio Bankruptcy Attorney
Throughout his legal career, Mr. Vanhemelrijck has developed extensive experience in bankruptcy law and federal court matters. Before establishing Vanhemelrijck Law Offices, P.C., he worked for Koffel and Jump, Attorneys, where he was responsible for managing mortgage and lien avoidance matters.
While with Koffel and Jump, Attorneys, he also provided litigation support to W. Mark Jump and Christal Caudill, a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee, on matters involving bankruptcy and tax issues.
His legal experience also includes working with the federal judiciary. Mr. Vanhemelrijck assisted a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, Brownsville Division, with the drafting and preparation of court orders and decisions. He also assisted a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division in Columbus, with the drafting and preparation of court orders and decisions.
This combination of bankruptcy practice, federal court experience, and legal research and writing has provided Mr. Vanhemelrijck with a strong foundation for representing clients facing complex financial and bankruptcy matters.
Bankruptcy Education and Legal Experience
Mr. Vanhemelrijck has also contributed to the continuing education of bankruptcy practitioners. He provided substantial assistance with the drafting and preparation of three Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations addressing the effects of the 2005 amendments to the Bankruptcy Code.
The presentations included:
- “Divorce, Alimony and Support Under the New Bankruptcy Act” — presented by Bankruptcy Professor Creola Johnson of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
- “The Automatic Stay, Effects of the Dismissal of a Prior Case(s) That Was Pending Within the Previous Year: The Need to File a Motion to Extend the Automatic Stay and a Motion for an Expedited Hearing” — presented by W. Mark Jump.
- “The Treatment of 910 PMSI Claims on Vehicles Purchased for Personal Use Under Amended Code Section 1325’s Hanging Paragraph” — presented by W. Mark Jump.
Education and Professional Memberships
Mr. Vanhemelrijck earned his Juris Doctor degree from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in Columbus, Ohio, where he received the Excellence for the Future Award.
He earned his undergraduate degree from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration.
He is a member of:
- National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys
- State Bar of Texas
- American Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
Mr. Vanhemelrijck is also a fluent Spanish speaker and writer, providing the ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking clients regarding their bankruptcy and financial concerns.
Serving San Antonio and Surrounding Texas Communities
Vanhemelrijck Law Offices, P.C. represents clients dealing with financial difficulties and seeking information about their legal options. Whether someone is considering Chapter 7 bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy, debt relief, foreclosure protection, or other solutions to overwhelming debt, understanding the available options is an important first step.
With more than 3,500 bankruptcy case filings personally handled in the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, Mr. Vanhemelrijck brings extensive bankruptcy experience to his legal practice.
He serves clients throughout San Antonio, Bexar County, and surrounding Texas communities and is also a fluent Spanish speaker and writer.
Community Involvement
Outside of his legal practice, Mr. Vanhemelrijck has participated in community service, including volunteering with the Political Asylum Project of Austin, Texas.
He is also an animal lover and has two dogs, including one rescued from The Animal Defense League, a San Antonio humane organization.
If you are looking for a San Antonio bankruptcy attorney and are dealing with overwhelming debt, creditor harassment, wage garnishment, vehicle repossession, or the threat of foreclosure, learning about your legal options can help you determine what steps may be available to you.
Stephanie Silvia
Associate Attorney
Raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Stephanie has a passion for helping others and has brought that passion to helping consumer debtors in Texas. Stephanie joined Vanhemelrijck Law Offices as an associate attorney in 2024 after earning her Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University. Previously, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Nova Southeastern University. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys traveling and spending time with family, particularly taking trips to Florida and visiting the theme parks.
David Werner
Debtor Bankruptcy Attorney
Born in upstate New York and raised in Arizona, I moved to San Antonio over 30 years ago to attend St. Mary’s Law School and never left. After a few years of practicing insurance defense for an A/V rated firm, I wanted to be more hands on in helping people rather than big companies.
So, in January 2000 I became a debtor bankruptcy attorney and have proudly represented thousands of good people over the years. Helping others doesn’t just stop with me as my wife is a first-grade teacher, one daughter is a kindergarten teacher, and another daughter is a middle school music teacher/band director.
In my 30 years as an attorney, I have appeared in JP Court, County and District State Courts, Probate Court, and Bankruptcy Courts. I also was involved from the beginning in a case that went to the United States Supreme Court which was decided unanimously in the debtor’s favor.
Degrees and Admissions:
Graduated University of Arizona 1992
Graduated St. Mary’s University School of Law 1996
Admitted to the State Bar of Texas 1996
Admitted to the District Court, Western District of Texas 2000
Admitted to the District Court, Southern District of Texas 2003
Admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States of America 2015
Why Choose Vanhemelrijck Law Offices P.C.?
What areas of bankruptcy and debt relief does your firm handle?
Vanhemelrijck Law Offices focuses on bankruptcy and debt-relief matters, including Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, creditor issues, wage garnishment, foreclosure, vehicle repossession, credit card debt, and other financial challenges. We help individuals, families, and qualifying small-business owners understand their legal options.
How does your personalized approach help clients?
Every financial situation is different. We take the time to understand your specific circumstances, explain your available options, and develop a legal strategy based on your individual needs and goals. Our focus is on providing clear, straightforward guidance throughout the process.
What experience does your firm have handling bankruptcy cases?
Attorney J. Robert Vanhemelrijck has personally handled more than 3,500 consumer and small-business bankruptcy cases in the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. His extensive experience allows him to help clients navigate the bankruptcy process and understand what to expect at each stage.
What can I expect when I meet with a bankruptcy attorney?
You can expect compassionate, professional guidance without judgment. During your consultation, we will listen to your concerns, review your financial circumstances, answer your questions, and explain potential legal options. Our goal is to help you make informed decisions about your financial future.
How does Vanhemelrijck Law Offices put clients first?
We believe clients deserve accessible communication, personalized attention, and practical legal guidance. From your initial consultation through your case, we work to keep you informed and help you understand each step of the process. We also offer free consultations with an attorney and evening and weekend availability for added convenience.