National Average Ranges
| Chapter | Low End | National Average | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | $750 | $1,500 | $3,500+ |
| Chapter 13 | $2,500 | $3,500 | $6,000+ |
These ranges reflect attorney fees only. Filing fees ($338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13), credit counseling, and other costs are additional.
Why Fees Vary by State
- Cost of living: Attorneys in New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles charge more than attorneys in rural Mississippi or West Virginia.
- No-look fees: Many Chapter 13 districts set a "no-look" fee that attorneys can charge without court scrutiny. These range from $2,500 to $6,000+ depending on the district.
- Competition: Areas with many bankruptcy attorneys tend to have lower fees due to competitive pressure.
- Case complexity: Business cases, cases with significant assets, or cases requiring adversary proceedings cost more everywhere.
Selected State Averages
| State/Region | Chapter 7 Average | Chapter 13 Average |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| California (urban) | $1,800 | $4,000 |
| Florida | $1,200 | $3,000 |
| Illinois (Chicago) | $1,500 | $3,500 |
| Kansas/Missouri | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| New York (NYC) | $2,000 | $4,500 |
| Ohio | $1,000 | $3,000 |
| Texas | $1,200 | $3,500 |
These are estimates based on published fee data and court records. Actual fees vary by attorney, case complexity, and local market conditions.
Urban vs Rural
Urban attorneys typically charge 20-50% more than rural attorneys for the same type of case. However, rural areas may have fewer attorneys to choose from, which can offset some of the cost advantage.
Cross-References
- Attorney fee basics -- How fees work in each chapter
- howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.org -- Complete cost breakdown
- howtofilebankruptcy.org -- Step-by-step filing guide
- chapter7vs13.org -- Compare costs between chapters