Filing bankruptcy typically costs somewhere between $300 and $3,500 total, depending on whether you hire an attorney and which chapter you file. The court filing fee itself is fixed nationwide at $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, but most of the real cost comes from attorney fees, which vary widely based on your case’s complexity, your location, and whether you’re filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
How much does bankruptcy cost?
Bankruptcy costs generally range from $300 to $3,500 total. A simple Chapter 7 case handled by an attorney often runs $1,000 to $1,750 including the filing fee, while Chapter 13 cases, which involve a multi-year repayment plan, tend to cost $3,000 to $4,500 because of the additional work involved over the life of the case. Filing without an attorney, called filing pro se, can bring the cost down to just the court filing fee plus any required course fees.
The total cost breaks into three main pieces: the court filing fee, attorney fees if you hire one, and the cost of two mandatory courses every filer has to complete. Each piece has a fairly predictable range, which makes it possible to budget for bankruptcy even before talking to a lawyer.
Breaking down the costs
| Cost item | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $338 | $313 |
| Attorney fees (typical range) | $1,000 – $1,750 | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| Credit counseling course | $10 – $50 | $10 – $50 |
| Debtor education course | $10 – $50 | $10 – $50 |
| Typical total with attorney | $1,400 – $2,200 | $3,400 – $5,000 |
| Typical total filing without attorney | $400 – $500 | Rarely filed without an attorney due to complexity |
Chapter 13 costs more largely because the work doesn’t end at filing. Attorneys typically stay involved throughout the 3–5 year repayment plan, handling court appearances, plan modifications, and creditor disputes that come up over that period — work a flat Chapter 7 fee doesn’t need to cover.
Why attorney fees vary so much
A few factors push attorney fees up or down within these ranges:
- Case complexity — Owning a business, having significant assets, or facing a creditor objection generally costs more than a straightforward case with mostly credit card debt
- Location — Attorney fees in major metro areas tend to run higher than in smaller cities or rural areas
- Flat fee vs. hourly billing — Most bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee for routine cases, but complications can shift billing to an hourly rate
- Local court norms — Some bankruptcy courts have “no-look” fee guidelines that set a commonly accepted flat fee range for routine Chapter 13 cases in that district
Can you file bankruptcy without paying anything upfront?
Several options exist for filers who can’t cover the costs all at once:
- Fee waiver for Chapter 7. If your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty line, you can request a full waiver of the $338 filing fee using Form 103B.
- Installment payments. Courts generally allow the filing fee to be paid in up to four installments over 120 days instead of all at once.
- Pro bono legal aid. Many areas have legal aid organizations or law school clinics that handle bankruptcy cases for free or a reduced fee for qualifying low-income filers.
- Filing pro se. Representing yourself avoids attorney fees entirely, though Chapter 7 without a lawyer requires careful attention to exemption rules, and Chapter 13’s ongoing complexity makes self-filing far riskier.
Hidden or easy-to-miss costs
A few costs catch people off guard because they’re not part of the headline attorney fee:
- Credit report fees, if your attorney pulls one as part of preparing your filing
- Document amendment fees, if forms need correction after filing, sometimes billed separately by attorneys
- Additional fees for adding creditors discovered after the initial filing
- Costs tied to reaffirming a debt, such as keeping a financed car, which sometimes involves a separate reaffirmation agreement process
Asking your attorney for a complete, itemized cost estimate before signing anything helps avoid surprises partway through the case.
Is bankruptcy worth the cost?
For many filers, the upfront cost is small compared to the debt being discharged. Someone clearing $20,000 in credit card debt for a $1,500 attorney fee is, in raw dollar terms, coming out significantly ahead. The harder costs to weigh are the credit score impact and the fact that a Chapter 7 stays on a credit report for up to 10 years, and Chapter 13 for up to 7 — costs that don’t show up on an invoice but matter for future borrowing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the bankruptcy filing fee the same everywhere? Yes, the federal court filing fee ($338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13) is set nationally and doesn’t vary by state, though attorney fees do.
Can I get the filing fee waived completely? Yes, if your income falls below 150% of the federal poverty line for your household size, you can request a full fee waiver for Chapter 7.
Why is Chapter 13 more expensive than Chapter 7? Chapter 13 involves a 3–5 year repayment plan that requires ongoing attorney involvement, while Chapter 7 is typically resolved within a few months.
Can I pay my bankruptcy attorney over time? Many attorneys allow payment plans for Chapter 7 fees, though the full fee (or a substantial portion) is often required before filing since attorney fees themselves can’t always be discharged retroactively.
Is it cheaper to file bankruptcy without a lawyer? Yes, filing pro se avoids attorney fees, but mistakes in asset exemptions or paperwork can be costly, especially in Chapter 13, which is rarely recommended without legal help.
Do I have to pay for credit counseling and debtor education separately? Usually yes, these are separate, relatively small fees ($10–$50 each) for two different required courses, paid directly to the approved course provider rather than to your attorney.
Bottom line
Total bankruptcy costs typically land between $1,400 and $2,200 for a Chapter 7 case with an attorney, and $3,400 to $5,000 for Chapter 13, though fee waivers, installment plans, and legal aid can bring the cost down significantly for filers who qualify. Before committing to an attorney, ask for a full breakdown of fees in writing so you know exactly what’s included before you start the process.
This article is for general information and isn’t legal advice. Bankruptcy costs and fee waiver eligibility can change, so confirm current figures with your local bankruptcy court or a licensed bankruptcy attorney.