How much does it cost to file bankruptcy?
Filing on your own costs about $360 to $440 for Chapter 7, and less if you qualify for a fee waiver. Here is every cost, and how to lower it.
Court filing fees
The fee is the same in every bankruptcy court in the country. It is set by federal law and the Judicial Conference of the United States.
| Chapter | Total fee | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | $338 | $245 filing fee, $78 administrative fee, $15 trustee surcharge |
| Chapter 13 | $313 | $235 filing fee, $78 administrative fee |
Fees in effect since December 1, 2023. Source: Bankruptcy Court Miscellaneous Fee Schedule.
Paying the fee in installments
If you cannot pay the whole fee at once, file Official Form 103A (Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments) with your petition. You can pay in up to 4 installments, and the last one is generally due within 120 days of filing (the court can allow up to 180 days). Some courts want a first payment on filing day.
While you are paying in installments, you cannot pay a lawyer or petition preparer for the case. If you miss a payment, the court can dismiss your case.
Getting the fee waived (Chapter 7)
In Chapter 7, the court can waive the fee entirely if your household income is less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and you cannot afford to pay in installments. File Official Form 103B (Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived) with your petition. People who receive means-tested benefits like SNAP or SSI often qualify. There is no fee waiver in Chapter 13.
Required courses
- Credit counseling before you file, from a provider approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. Usually $10 to $50.
- Financial management (debtor education) after you file. Usually $10 to $50.
Approved providers must offer the courses free or at a reduced cost if you cannot afford them. Ask before you pay. The U.S. Trustee Program lists approved providers.
Lawyer fees
Lawyer fees depend on your area and how complicated your case is. As a rough guide:
- Chapter 7: about $1,000 to $3,500, usually paid in full before filing.
- Chapter 13: about $3,000 to $6,000. Most of it is usually paid through your plan, so you may only need a few hundred dollars up front. Many courts set a standard fee lawyers can charge without extra review.
Many bankruptcy lawyers offer a free first consultation, which is a good way to find out whether your case is simple enough to handle yourself. Legal aid offices and law school clinics help some low-income filers for free.
Petition preparers and online services
A bankruptcy petition preparer is someone who is not a lawyer but types your forms for a fee. Preparers cannot give legal advice, must sign the forms and disclose their fee (Official Form 119), and many courts cap what they can charge. Our filing tool does the same job for free and keeps your answers on your own device.
Other costs to plan for
- Credit reports to find all your creditors: free at AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Printing, copies, and postage if you file on paper.
- Amending your creditor list after filing: $34 per amendment, so list every creditor the first time.
- Chapter 13 trustee fee: up to 10% of what you pay through the plan, built into your plan payment.
Total cost at a glance
| How you file | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 |
|---|---|---|
| On your own | About $360 to $440 ($0 to $100 with a fee waiver) | About $335 to $415, plus plan payments |
| With a lawyer | About $1,400 to $3,900 | About $3,300 to $6,400, mostly through the plan |
Court fee plus both courses, with typical lawyer fees. Estimates, not quotes.
Bankruptcy cost questions
How much does it cost to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
The court filing fee is $338. With the two required courses, filing on your own costs about $360 to $440. With a lawyer, expect roughly $1,000 to $3,500 more.
Can I file bankruptcy for free?
Nearly. In Chapter 7, the court can waive the filing fee if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty line, and course providers must offer reduced or free courses if you cannot pay. Our tool that prepares the forms is free.
Can I pay the bankruptcy filing fee in payments?
Yes. File Official Form 103A with your petition to ask to pay in up to 4 installments, generally within 120 days of filing.
Is the filing fee the same in every state?
Yes. Bankruptcy is federal, so every bankruptcy court charges $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13.
Why is Chapter 13 more expensive than Chapter 7?
The court fee is slightly lower, but Chapter 13 lawyers charge more because the case lasts 3 to 5 years. The good news is that most of the fee is paid through your plan rather than up front.
Save on preparation costs
Our free tool fills in the official court forms with your answers, including the fee installment and waiver applications.