How much does it cost to file for bankruptcy?
Most pay around $1,500 in attorney fees alone
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Filing for bankruptcy can come with steep costs, even before your debts are discharged. You’ll need to pay court filing fees, complete required counseling courses and cover attorney fees, which often cost more than $1,000.
For Chapter 13, those costs can be much higher. While fee waivers and self-representation are possible in some cases, the overall cost of bankruptcy can still reach several thousand dollars, depending on your situation.
Filing fees for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy start around $300 but can increase depending on court actions.
Jump to insightMost people pay around $1,500 in attorney fees alone, which is often the largest cost in the bankruptcy process.
Jump to insightRequired counseling courses and other add-ons can raise the total cost of bankruptcy.
Jump to insightLow-income filers may be able to reduce costs through fee waivers or legal aid.
Jump to insightDebt consolidation, credit counseling or negotiation could help you avoid bankruptcy altogether.
Jump to insightFiling fees for bankruptcy
When you file for bankruptcy, you’ll pay court filing fees and credit counseling fees, at a minimum. But in most cases, you’ll want to hire a bankruptcy attorney to help walk you through the process. That can end up costing thousands of dollars.
Here’s how the fees break down when filing for bankruptcy. As of publishing, the filing fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $335 and $310. But there may be other court fees that add to your costs, including amendments, motions and other court services. This can add hundreds of dollars or more to your total court costs.
Additional court fees may apply depending on the type of bankruptcy you file. The following table lists common fees from the U.S. Courts website, with amounts accurate as of publication.
Examples of additional court fees
| Fee type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Filing a change to your list of debts or creditors | $34 |
| Filing a complaint | $350 |
| Motion to reopen a Chapter 7 case | $245 |
| Motion to reopen a Chapter 13 case | $235 |
| Fee for insufficient funds | $53 |
Attorney fees and their impact
Attorney fees can be a bit of a wild card when you’re filing for bankruptcy. While some attorneys charge a flat rate for bankruptcy services, others charge a high hourly rate. In general, you can expect to pay over $1,000 for even the most basic bankruptcy case should you choose to hire legal help.
According to research by Nolo, most Chapter 7 filers paid between $1,000 and $1,750 in attorney fees, with an average of $1,450, based on data collected in 2020. The article, updated in 2025, states that fees could rise by up to 25% due to inflation. Chapter 7 attorney fees are usually paid upfront before filing.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy can cost a lot more, due to a longer process and potentially more case complexity. In general, expect to pay around $2,500 to $5,000 for attorney fees in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case. These fees are usually built into the debt repayment plan.
While attorney fees may seem prohibitive, seeking legal counsel is often advisable when filing for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy doesn't eliminate all debts; obligations like student loans, child support, alimony and certain taxes are typically nondischargeable.
In addition, bankruptcy can significantly impact your finances, taxes and credit score. For instance, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains on your credit report for up to 10 years, while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy stays for up to seven years. Proper legal guidance can help navigate these complexities, potentially saving you more in the long run than the cost of attorney fees.
Additional costs of filing for bankruptcy
There may be additional costs to filing for bankruptcy, including a required credit counseling class. These fees can add up and increase your overall bankruptcy costs.
- Credit counseling fees: Before you file for bankruptcy, you are typically required to attend at least one credit counseling session. You can work with a credit counselor or take an online class. Classes usually cost under $100. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of approved agencies you can reach out to.
- Debt education course: As with credit counseling classes, you may need to take a debt education course after filing for bankruptcy. These classes can cost from $10 to $100, depending on the course.
- Asset sale fees: If you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your trustee will sell your nonexempt assets to cover some of your debt. The sale of these assets may also come with fees.
Strategies to reduce bankruptcy costs
While bankruptcy can end up costing you thousands of dollars, there are a few strategies that you can use to reduce the cost.
- Get free or low-cost legal advice: Legal aid nonprofit foundations may offer low-cost or even free consultations to help you with the basics of bankruptcy. From reviewing your finances to advising you on your next steps, real legal help may be available without spending thousands.
- Get your court fees waived: If your income is low, you may qualify for fee waivers. For example, Chapter 7 filers earning under 150% of the federal poverty line can apply using a form from the court. Fee waivers aren’t available for Chapter 13, but installment payment plans may be an option.
- Represent yourself: You can skip hiring an attorney, but this is rarely ever advisable due to the complexity and financial implications of bankruptcy cases. But if you simply can’t afford a lawyer and choose to file without one, free online legal tools like Upsolve can give you guidance on how to fill out and file the right forms.
FAQ
How much do you pay monthly for bankruptcies?
With Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you’ll set up a reasonable monthly payment with your creditors based on your available discretionary income. This amount can vary based on your income, assets and outstanding debts.
With Chapter 7 bankruptcy, usually there’s no monthly fee.
What is the downside to filing for bankruptcy?
The downside is that filing for bankruptcy can severely hurt your credit score. Bankruptcy can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years, which may limit future borrowing opportunities. You may also need to sell off assets to cover a portion of your outstanding debts.
What are some costs of filing for bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy costs can include court filing fees, attorney fees, and required credit counseling and debtor education courses. You may also have to pay for additional court services, like filing motions or making changes to your case. Altogether, costs can reach thousands of dollars depending on your situation.
Can you file for bankruptcy without an attorney?
Yes, you can file for bankruptcy without an attorney, but it’s usually not recommended. Bankruptcy law is complex, and filing incorrectly can delay your case, cost you more money or affect your credit longer. An attorney can help ensure your debts are properly discharged in Chapter 7 or that your repayment plan is correctly set up in Chapter 13.
Alternatives to filing for bankruptcy
When you’re drowning in debt, filing for bankruptcy may seem like the only option, but there are other alternatives that can help you manage debt.
Credit counseling
Credit counseling agencies may be able to help you establish a reasonable debt management plan with your creditors, protecting your score and giving you a payment plan you can afford. Counselors work with your creditors to agree on affordable payments, and you send a single payment to the credit counseling agency that they distribute.Debt consolidation loans
If your payments are too high, you may be able to consolidate your debts into a single monthly payment with a debt consolidation loan. These types of personal loans often have lower interest rates than credit cards and short-term loans, and the longer payoff terms give you a lower monthly payment. You’ll need a decent credit score to qualify, so it works best for those who apply before missing any payments.Balance transfer cards
If you have several credit cards with high interest rates and monthly payments, you might consider a 0% balance transfer credit card. These cards allow you to move your credit card balances from several cards onto one card. Since many balance transfer cards come with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate for the first 12 to 15 months, this can lower your interest payments to zero, allowing you to pay down your debts more quickly.Negotiating with your creditors
Your creditors may be open to negotiation if you can’t make your current payments. Some may lower your monthly payments by extending the payoff timeline, while others might offer hardship plans that pause payments until your income improves.In some cases, creditors may agree to settle your debt for less if you can make a lump sum payment. It’s worth trying to negotiate before you miss payments, since it could help you protect your credit while paying down debt.
Debt settlement
Debt settlement companies help you negotiate your debts for a smaller payoff amount, but there are caveats. With debt settlement companies, you may pay high fees. Settlement may also hurt your credit score if you stop making payments and go into default as part of the negotiation. Good debt settlement companies will help you navigate the process and settle your debts quickly.Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- United States Courts, “Chapter 7 - Bankruptcy Basics.” Accessed June 3, 2025.
- United States Courts, “Chapter 13 - Bankruptcy Basics.” Accessed June 3, 2025.
- Nolo, “Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: What Will It Cost and Will It Wipe Out My Debts?” Accessed June 3, 2025.
- U.S. Department of Justice, “List of Credit Counseling Agencies Approved Pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 111.” Accessed June 3, 2025.
- Legal Services Corporation, “I Need Legal Help.” Accessed June 3, 2025.
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Central District of California, “Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments/Application to Have Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived.” Accessed June 3, 2025.
- Upsolve, “Eliminate Your Debt With Bankruptcy.” Accessed June 3, 2025.
