# bankruptcycost.org -- Full Content > Last updated: 2026-09-25 This file contains the full text content of all pages on bankruptcycost.org. Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project (openbankruptcyproject.org). --- ## Bankruptcy Attorney Fees by State [2026]: National Averages and Rule 2016(a) Filings Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/attorney-fees-by-state.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Fees by State | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Filing Fee Waiver | Cost of NOT Filing | Cost of Inaction bankruptcycost.com What bankruptcy attorneys charge across the country - and why it varies so much Home›Bankruptcy Attorney Fees by State - National Averages Bankruptcy Attorney Fees by State - National Averages Filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the chapter and complexity. Fee waivers and installment payments are available for those who qualify. National Average Ranges ChapterLow EndNational AverageHigh 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/RegionChapter 7 AverageChapter 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 Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org Student Loans in Bankruptcy -- bankruptcystudentloans.org Free Means Test Calculator -- meanstest.org --- ## Bankruptcy Attorney Fees [2026]: $1,500-$3,500 Chapter 7 Range and 11 USC 329 Reasonableness Standard Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/attorney-fees.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Cost of NOT Filing bankruptcycost.com What bankruptcy actually costs - filing fees, attorney fees, and everything in between Home›Bankruptcy Attorney Fees: What to Expect - bankruptcycost.org›bankruptcycost.org Bankruptcy Attorney Fees: What to Expect Last updated: March 2026 Attorney fees are typically the largest cost in a bankruptcy case. Understanding how fees work in each chapter, what "no-look" fees are, and what to watch out for will help you make an informed decision and avoid overpaying. Chapter 7 attorneys require payment in full before filing for a simple reason: the bankruptcy discharge eliminates most pre-filing debts. Attorney Fees by Chapter Chapter Typical Fee Range Payment Timing Typical Upfront Amount Chapter 7 $1,000 - $2,500 Before filing Full fee Chapter 13 $2,500 - $5,000 Through the plan $0 - $500 Chapter 11 $10,000 - $50,000+ Administrative expense Large retainer Chapter 12 $2,000 - $5,000 Through the plan $0 - $500 How Attorney Fees Work in Chapter 7 Chapter 7 attorneys require payment in full before filing for a simple reason: the bankruptcy discharge eliminates most pre-filing debts. If an attorney had not been paid before the petition date, their unpaid fee would become a dischargeable debt - meaning the client would owe them nothing after the case concludes. This creates a barrier for some filers. If you cannot afford $1,000 to $2,500 upfront, you have a few options: Payment plans with the attorney: Some attorneys allow you to make payments over a few months before they file your case Legal aid: Free representation for qualifying individuals Pro se filing: Filing without an attorney (not recommended for most people) Consider Chapter 13: If you have regular income, Chapter 13 allows attorney fees to be paid through the plan How Attorney Fees Work in Chapter 13 Chapter 13 treats attorney fees as a priority administrative claim under 11 U.S.C. Section 503. This means the attorney's fee is paid through the 3-to-5-year repayment plan, just like other priority debts. The practical effect: you do not need to come up with thousands of dollars before you file. Most Chapter 13 attorneys structure their fees as follows: Pre-filing retainer: $0 to $500 (varies by attorney and district) Remaining fee: Paid monthly through your Chapter 13 plan payments Post-confirmation work: Some attorneys charge additional fees for work after plan confirmation (motions, modifications, contested matters) What Are "No-Look" Fees? Many bankruptcy districts have established "no-look" fee guidelines - a presumptive attorney fee amount that the court will approve without requiring detailed billing records. If an attorney charges at or below the no-look amount, the fee is approved as a matter of course. No-look fees vary significantly by district. Examples: Southern District of Florida: approximately $4,500 Western District of Missouri: approximately $3,500 Northern District of Illinois: approximately $4,000 Southern District of Texas: approximately $3,500 If an attorney wants to charge more than the no-look amount, they must file a detailed fee application with the court, itemizing their time and justifying the higher fee. The court can approve, reduce, or deny the excess amount. Why this matters: The no-look fee system is designed to keep attorney costs reasonable. But it also means that in some districts, nearly every attorney charges the same amount regardless of case complexity or quality of service. Your best tool for evaluating an attorney is their track record, not their price. How Attorney Fees Work in Chapter 11 Chapter 11 cases are significantly more complex and expensive. Attorney fees are approved by the court as administrative expenses under 11 U.S.C. Section 330. Attorneys must file detailed fee applications showing their hourly rates, time spent, and the reasonableness of each charge. Chapter 11 fees vary enormously: Small business Sub V cases: $10,000 - $25,000 for straightforward cases Traditional Chapter 11: $25,000 - $100,000+ Large corporate cases: Millions of dollars (these are not relevant to most readers) What Factors Affect Attorney Fees? Several factors influence how much an attorney charges: Geographic location: Fees in major cities are 30-50% higher than rural areas Case complexity: Assets, disputes with creditors, or business ownership increase fees Attorney experience: More experienced attorneys typically charge more, but may handle your case more efficiently Firm size: Solo practitioners and small firms often charge less than large firms Volume practice: High-volume firms may offer lower per-case fees but spend less time on each case Red Flags: When Attorney Fees Signal a Problem Watch out for these warning signs: Fees significantly above the district average without clear justification "Filing only" fees where the attorney files your petition but does not represent you through the case Pressure to file immediately before you have gathered all required documents No written fee agreement - always get the fee in writing before paying anything Large non-refundable retainer with vague descriptions of what it covers Extra charges for every phone call or email in a consumer case Evaluate your attorney's track record: Before hiring anyone, learn how to assess their actual case outcomes. Our 2026 guide on evaluating bankruptcy attorney ratings walks through how to use court data, dismissal rates, and completion rates to make a real comparison rather than relying on online reviews. You can also explore district-level data on the national dashboard. How to Save on Attorney Fees Get multiple consultations: Most bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations. Meet with 2-3 before deciding. Ask about the no-look fee: If you are in a Chapter 13 district with a no-look fee, your attorney should not charge more without good reason. Prepare your documents: The more organized you are (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, debt lists), the less time your attorney spends on data gathering, which can reduce fees. Ask what is included: Make sure your fee covers representation through discharge, not just the filing. Check legal aid: If your income is low, you may qualify for free representation. See fee waiver options. Next: Attorney fees are the biggest cost, but not the only one. Read about hidden costs you should know about, or see the complete cost overview. Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison -- chapter7vs13.org Free Means Test Calculator -- meanstest.org 1099-C Cancellation of Debt Tax Guide -- 1099cdebt.com --- ## Average Cost of Bankruptcy by State - Attorney Fees & Filing Costs [2026] - Bankruptcy Cost Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/average-cost-by-state.html Average Cost of Bankruptcy by State How much bankruptcy costs depends heavily on where you live Home » Average Cost by State The average cost to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy is approximately $1,800 total (filing fee + attorney + counseling). Chapter 13 averages about $4,200 in fees, with attorney fees paid through the repayment plan. Costs vary significantly by state and city. National Average Bankruptcy Cost The average cost to file bankruptcy in the United States is approximately $1,800 for Chapter 7 and $4,200 for Chapter 13 (including filing fees, attorney fees, and credit counseling). But these national averages hide enormous regional variation - attorney fees alone can range from $500 to $4,000+ for Chapter 7 depending on your state and city. How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost by Region RegionCh. 7 Attorney FeeCh. 13 Attorney FeeCh. 7 Total Rural South/Midwest$500-$1,200$2,500-$3,500$900-$1,700 Mid-size cities$1,000-$1,800$3,000-$4,000$1,400-$2,300 Major metro areas$1,500-$2,500$3,500-$5,000$1,900-$2,900 NYC / SF / LA$2,000-$4,000+$4,000-$6,000+$2,400-$4,400+ Court filing fees are the same everywhere: $338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13. The difference in total cost is almost entirely driven by attorney fees. What Drives Cost Differences Between States Three factors explain most of the variation in bankruptcy costs across states: Local attorney market: Areas with more bankruptcy attorneys have lower fees due to competition Court fee guidelines: Many districts set no-look fee amounts that cap what attorneys typically charge Cost of living: Attorney overhead (rent, staff, insurance) directly affects what they charge clients Bankruptcy Filing Fees: The Only Fixed Cost Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference and are the same in every court: $338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13, $1,738 for Chapter 11, and $306 for Chapter 12. These fees can be paid in installments (up to 4 payments over 120 days). The Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely for filers with income below 150% of poverty guidelines. How to Find the Cheapest Bankruptcy Attorney Start by checking your district's no-look fee guideline on the bankruptcy court's website. This tells you what the court considers a reasonable fee. Then compare multiple attorneys - many offer free consultations. Ask about payment plans, flat fees vs. hourly billing, and what is included in the quoted price. For the lowest possible cost, consider filing without a lawyer or contacting legal aid for free representation. Frequently Asked Questions What is the average cost to file bankruptcy in 2026? The average cost to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy is approximately $1,800 total (filing fee + attorney + counseling). Chapter 13 averages about $4,200 in fees, with attorney fees paid through the repayment plan. Costs vary significantly by state and city. How much is it to file bankruptcy in a cheap state? In the least expensive states and rural areas, Chapter 7 can cost as little as $900-$1,200 total. Some attorneys in low-cost areas charge $500-$800 for straightforward Chapter 7 cases. How much does filing bankruptcy cost if I do it myself? Filing pro se reduces your cost to approximately $368-$438 total - just the $338 filing fee plus $30-$100 for the two required credit counseling courses. The filing fee may be waived for low-income filers. Check your bankruptcy discharge eligibility with our free screening tool. Free Discharge Screener About This Data: Content based on federal bankruptcy law (Title 11, U.S. Code). District-level statistics from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database. This is educational content, not legal advice. Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Discharge Screener How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost Free bankruptcy education. Not legal advice. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost - Attorney Fees, Filing Fees & Plan Payments [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/chapter-13-cost.html Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost What you will actually pay for a Chapter 13 case - and the hidden risk most attorneys do not emphasize Home » Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost Chapter 13 costs $3,300 to $5,400 in attorney and court fees, plus your monthly plan payments over 3-5 years. The filing fee is $313, attorney fees range from $3,000 to $5,000 (usually paid through the plan), and credit counseling costs $30-$100. Court Filing Fee: $313 The Chapter 13 filing fee is $313. Unlike Chapter 7, the Chapter 13 filing fee cannot be waived - but it can be paid in up to four installments over 120 days (180 days with court approval). Use Official Form 103A to request installments. Attorney Fees: $3,000 - $5,000 Chapter 13 attorney fees are higher because the attorney manages your case for 3-5 years. The critical difference from Chapter 7: attorney fees are typically paid through the Chapter 13 plan, meaning you may pay little or nothing upfront. Most districts set a no-look fee - a presumptive reasonable amount attorneys can charge without detailed justification. This ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the district. Attorneys can request more than the no-look amount by filing a detailed fee application. The Dismissal Risk Nobody Talks About Here is the cost reality most attorneys will not emphasize: 40-50% of Chapter 13 cases are dismissed before discharge. If your case is dismissed, you have paid thousands in attorney fees and plan payments - and received no discharge. The attorney gets paid even if your case is dismissed. This makes the true expected cost of Chapter 13 significantly higher than the sticker price. If you pay $4,000 in attorney fees and $15,000 in plan payments over 2 years before dismissal, you have spent $19,000 with nothing to show for it. Cost Comparison: Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 vs Chapter 11 Cost ComponentChapter 7Chapter 13Chapter 11 Sub V Court filing fee$338$313$1,738 Attorney fees$1,000-$2,500$3,000-$5,000$10,000-$50,000 Duration3-4 months3-5 years3-5 years Discharge rate93%+~40-50%Varies Total$1,400-$2,900$3,300-$5,400$12,000-$52,000 Frequently Asked Questions How much does Chapter 13 bankruptcy cost in total? Chapter 13 costs $3,300 to $5,400 in attorney and court fees, plus your monthly plan payments over 3-5 years. The filing fee is $313, attorney fees range from $3,000 to $5,000 (usually paid through the plan), and credit counseling costs $30-$100. Do I have to pay a Chapter 13 attorney upfront? Usually not. Most Chapter 13 attorneys allow their fees to be paid through the repayment plan over 3-5 years. You may need to pay a small retainer ($0-$500) before filing, with the rest paid through monthly plan payments to the trustee. What happens to attorney fees if my Chapter 13 is dismissed? The attorney keeps whatever fees have been paid through the plan up to that point. If your case is dismissed after 2 years, the attorney may have received $2,000-$3,000 of their total fee. You do not get a refund for the dismissed case. Check your bankruptcy discharge eligibility with our free screening tool. Free Discharge Screener About This Data: Content based on federal bankruptcy law (Title 11, U.S. Code). District-level statistics from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database (37.9 million cases, 94 districts, FY 2008-2024). This is educational content, not legal advice. Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Discharge Screener How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost Exemptions by State Free bankruptcy education. Not legal advice. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cost - Filing Fees, Attorney Fees & Total Cost [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/chapter-7-cost.html Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cost Complete breakdown of every fee you will pay in a Chapter 7 case Home » Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cost Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs $1,400 to $2,900 total. The court filing fee is $338, attorney fees range from $1,000 to $2,500, and credit counseling costs $30-$100 for two required courses. All fees must be paid before filing, though the court filing fee can be waived or paid in installments. Court Filing Fee: $338 The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338 as of 2026. This is paid to the bankruptcy court clerk when you file your petition. Low-income filers with household income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines can request a complete fee waiver using Form 103B. The court can also allow payment in up to four installments over 120 days. Attorney Fees: $1,000 - $2,500 Chapter 7 attorney fees vary significantly by region. In rural areas, fees may be as low as $800-$1,200. In major metropolitan areas, expect $1,500-$3,000+. Most Chapter 7 attorneys require full payment before filing because the automatic stay prevents post-petition collection of pre-petition debts - including attorney fees. Many bankruptcy courts publish no-look fee guidelines that set a presumptive reasonable fee amount. You can check your district's guideline on the court's website. Credit Counseling: $30 - $100 Two mandatory courses are required: pre-filing credit counseling ($15-$50, must be completed within 180 days before filing) and post-filing debtor education ($15-$50, completed after filing but before discharge). Both can be done online in 1-2 hours each. Many agencies offer fee waivers for low-income filers. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Cost Comparison Cost ComponentChapter 7Chapter 13 Court filing fee$338$313 Attorney fees$1,000-$2,500$3,000-$5,000 Credit counseling$30-$100$30-$100 Payment timingAll upfrontThrough plan Total$1,400-$2,900$3,300-$5,400 How to Reduce Chapter 7 Costs The cheapest way to file Chapter 7 is pro se (without an attorney). Your total cost can be as low as $368 - just the filing fee plus credit counseling. However, pro se Chapter 7 cases have higher dismissal rates due to paperwork complexity. Other cost-reduction strategies: fee waiver (Form 103B for income below 150% poverty), installment payments (up to 4 payments over 120 days), legal aid (free representation through LSC-funded organizations at lawhelp.org), and law school clinics that provide free bankruptcy representation. Frequently Asked Questions How much does it cost to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2026? Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs $1,400 to $2,900 total. The court filing fee is $338, attorney fees range from $1,000 to $2,500, and credit counseling costs $30-$100 for two required courses. All fees must be paid before filing, though the court filing fee can be waived or paid in installments. Can I file Chapter 7 for free? The filing fee can be waived if your income is below 150% of federal poverty guidelines. Free legal representation is available through legal aid organizations and law school clinics. Credit counseling agencies may waive fees for low-income filers. So yes, it is possible to file Chapter 7 at zero cost. Why are Chapter 7 attorney fees so different in different cities? Attorney fees reflect local cost of living, competition, and court-set fee guidelines. In districts with many bankruptcy attorneys, competition keeps fees lower. Some courts publish no-look fee amounts that attorneys can charge without detailed justification. Check your bankruptcy discharge eligibility with our free screening tool. Free Discharge Screener About This Data: Content based on federal bankruptcy law (Title 11, U.S. Code). District-level statistics from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database (37.9 million cases, 94 districts, FY 2008-2024). This is educational content, not legal advice. Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost Exemptions by State Free bankruptcy education. Not legal advice. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Cost of Not Filing Bankruptcy [2026]: When Wage Garnishment and Judgment Interest Exceed Filing Cost Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/cost-of-doing-nothing.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Fees by State | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Filing Fee Waiver | Cost of NOT Filing | Cost of Inaction bankruptcycost.com When the cost of doing nothing exceeds the cost of filing Home›The Cost of NOT Filing Bankruptcy - When Inaction Is More E The Cost of NOT Filing Bankruptcy Filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the chapter and complexity. Fee waivers and installment payments are available for those who qualify. The Hidden Costs of Inaction Many people avoid bankruptcy because they focus on the cost of filing - attorney fees, filing fees, credit counseling. But they overlook the cost of not filing. For many people, inaction is far more expensive. Compound Interest on Unpayable Debt Credit card debt at 25-30% APR doubles every 3-4 years if you make only minimum payments. A $20,000 credit card balance at 25% interest that you cannot pay down costs you $5,000 per year in interest alone. Over five years, that is $25,000 - more than most Chapter 7 cases cost in total. Example: $30,000 in credit card debt at 24% APR. Minimum payments of $600/month. After 5 years of minimum payments: you will have paid $36,000 and still owe $28,000. Filing Chapter 7 would have eliminated the entire balance for roughly $1,500-$2,500 in attorney and filing fees. Wage Garnishment If a creditor sues you and gets a judgment, they can garnish up to 25% of your disposable earnings in most states. For someone earning $4,000/month after taxes, that is $1,000/month taken directly from your paycheck - $12,000 per year. Bankruptcy stops all garnishment immediately through the automatic stay. Any garnished funds taken within 90 days before filing may be recoverable. Lawsuit Costs Defending a collection lawsuit - even if you lose - costs time and money. Missing work for court hearings, stress-related health costs, and the risk of a default judgment (which adds court costs and attorney fees to what you owe) all compound the damage. Foreclosure Deficiency In many states, if your home is foreclosed and sells for less than you owe, the lender can pursue you for the deficiency - the difference. On a $200,000 mortgage where the home sells for $150,000 at foreclosure, you could face a $50,000 deficiency judgment, plus the lender's attorney fees. Bankruptcy can eliminate deficiency liability along with all other dischargeable debts. Tax Consequences Forgiven or settled debt may be reported as taxable income on a 1099-C. If a creditor forgives $15,000 in debt, you could owe $3,000-$5,000 in taxes on that "income." Debts eliminated in bankruptcy are explicitly excluded from this tax rule under IRC Section 108(a)(1)(A). The Math Cost of NOT Filing (Annual)Amount Interest on $30K credit card debt (24%)$7,200 Wage garnishment (25% of $4K/month)$12,000 Missed work for court hearings$500-$2,000 Stress-related health costsVariable Total annual cost of inaction$19,700+ Cost of Filing Chapter 7Amount Attorney fee$1,000-$2,500 Filing fee$338 (waivable) Credit counseling (2 courses)$30-$100 Total one-time cost$1,368-$2,938 Cross-References Cost of NOT filing - detailed analysis howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.org howtofilebankruptcy.org chapter7vs13.org Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org 1099-C Cancellation of Debt Tax Guide -- 1099cdebt.com Student Loans in Bankruptcy -- bankruptcystudentloans.org --- ## Cost of Not Filing Bankruptcy [2026]: Garnishment, Judgment Interest, and Long-Term Credit Damage Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/cost-of-not-filing.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Cost of NOT Filing bankruptcycost.com What bankruptcy actually costs - filing fees, attorney fees, and everything in between Home›The Cost of NOT Filing Bankruptcy - bankruptcycost.org›bankruptcycost.org The Cost of NOT Filing Bankruptcy Last updated: March 2026 People avoid bankruptcy because it feels expensive. But the real question is not "Can I afford to file bankruptcy?" The real question is "Can I afford NOT to?" For most people drowning in debt, the cost of continuing without bankruptcy protection far exceeds the cost of filing. This page puts real numbers to the cost of delay. Filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the chapter and complexity. Fee waivers and installment payments are available for those who qualify. Wage Garnishment: $3,000 - $12,000+ per Year Once a creditor gets a court judgment against you, they can garnish your wages. Under federal law, creditors can take up to 25% of your disposable earnings (or the amount by which your weekly pay exceeds 30 times the federal minimum wage, whichever is less). For someone earning $40,000 per year: Maximum garnishment: approximately $10,000 per year (25% of disposable earnings) Over 3 years of delay: up to $30,000 taken from paychecks Multiple creditors: garnishments can stack, with each taking their turn The math: A Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs $1,400 - $3,000 total and stops garnishment immediately through the automatic stay. One year of wage garnishment at $10,000 costs more than three bankruptcies. Every month you delay, you lose money that could have stayed in your pocket. Vehicle Repossession: $5,000 - $15,000+ If you fall behind on car payments, the lender can repossess your vehicle - often without warning. The costs cascade quickly: Repo fees: $300 - $500 charged to you Storage fees: $20 - $50 per day while you try to recover the vehicle Auction loss: Repossessed vehicles sell at auction for far below market value (often 50-60% of retail) Deficiency balance: You owe the difference between the loan balance and the auction sale price Replacement transportation: Without a car, you may lose your job or face costly alternatives Example: You owe $15,000 on a car worth $12,000. After repossession, it sells at auction for $8,000. You now owe a $7,000 deficiency balance, have no car, and still face collection on the remaining debt. Total economic loss: the car ($12,000 value) plus the deficiency ($7,000) plus lost income from transportation problems. Filing bankruptcy before repossession invokes the automatic stay, which prevents the lender from taking your vehicle while the case is active. In Chapter 13, you can cure arrears and keep the vehicle. Foreclosure: $20,000 - $100,000+ Losing your home to foreclosure is one of the most devastating financial events a family can experience: Lost equity: Whatever equity you have built over the years is at risk if the foreclosure sale price is low Relocation costs: Security deposits, first/last month rent, moving expenses: $3,000 - $8,000 Higher housing costs: Renters with foreclosures pay higher deposits and may be denied housing entirely Deficiency judgment: In many states, the bank can sue you for the difference between the sale price and mortgage balance Tax consequences: Forgiven mortgage debt may be taxable income (though exceptions exist) A Chapter 13 bankruptcy can cure mortgage arrears over the 3-to-5-year plan and allow you to keep your home. The automatic stay stops foreclosure proceedings immediately upon filing. Medical Debt Compounding: Thousands Per Year Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States. Left unpaid, medical bills compound in several ways: Collection fees: Agencies add 25-50% to the original balance Interest: Some states allow interest on medical debt judgments (6-12% annually) Credit damage: Unpaid medical collections tank your credit score, increasing costs on everything from insurance to apartments Lawsuit risk: Hospitals and collection agencies increasingly sue over unpaid medical bills, leading to garnishment Example: A $10,000 medical bill sent to collections becomes $13,000 with collection fees. A judgment adds post-judgment interest at 9% per year. After two years, you owe $15,340 - all from an original $10,000 bill. That $10,000 bill would have been discharged in a $1,500 Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Lawsuit Judgments and Post-Judgment Interest Once a creditor sues you and wins a judgment, the clock works against you. Most states allow post-judgment interest ranging from 4% to 12% per year. The judgment also opens the door to: Wage garnishment (up to 25% of disposable income) Bank account levies (seizing money from your bank account) Property liens (attaching to real estate you own, including your home) These collection tools compound. A $5,000 credit card judgment at 10% post-judgment interest becomes $6,050 after two years - and that is before garnishment, bank levies, and the attorney fees the creditor adds to the balance. The Psychological and Health Cost Debt stress is not just a financial problem. Research consistently shows that unmanageable debt correlates with: Depression and anxiety: People with unmanageable debt are 3x more likely to experience mental health problems (Royal College of Psychiatrists) Physical health: Chronic stress from debt is linked to elevated blood pressure, insomnia, and weakened immune response Relationship strain: Financial stress is a leading cause of divorce and family conflict Avoidance behaviors: Unopened mail, unreturned phone calls, and self-isolation are common among people overwhelmed by debt These costs are real even if they do not show up on a balance sheet. Many bankruptcy filers report enormous psychological relief within days of filing, once the automatic stay stops the collection calls. The Comparison: Filing vs. Not Filing Scenario Cost of Filing Cost of NOT Filing (1 Year) $30K credit card debt, garnishment $1,500 - $2,500 $7,500 - $10,000 garnished $15K medical bills in collections $1,500 - $2,500 $3,750+ in fees and interest Car at risk of repossession $300 - $500 upfront (Ch. 13) $5,000 - $15,000 total loss Mortgage 3 months behind $300 - $500 upfront (Ch. 13) $20,000+ equity at risk Multiple lawsuits pending $1,500 - $2,500 $5,000 - $20,000+ in judgments When NOT Filing Might Be the Right Choice To be fair, bankruptcy is not always the answer. You may not need to file if: You are "judgment proof": If you have no income, no assets, and no property, creditors cannot collect even with a judgment. Filing may not help because there is nothing to protect. The debt is small and manageable: If you owe $3,000 and can pay it off in 6-12 months, the cost and credit impact of bankruptcy may not be worth it. The statute of limitations has passed: Old debts may be uncollectible. Filing bankruptcy could restart the clock on some obligations. You are close to paying off debts: If you are 6 months from being debt-free, the finish line may be more cost-effective than filing. For everyone else - the people losing sleep over collection calls, watching garnishments eat their paychecks, or facing the loss of their car or home - the cost of filing bankruptcy is almost always less than the cost of waiting. Take the first step: Most bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations. Before you hire one, read our guide on how to evaluate a bankruptcy attorney's track record using court data rather than online reviews. See the complete cost breakdown to understand what you will pay. Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison -- chapter7vs13.org 1099-C Cancellation of Debt Tax Guide -- 1099cdebt.com Student Loans in Bankruptcy -- bankruptcystudentloans.org --- ## Bankruptcy Filing Fee Waiver [2026]: Form 103B Eligibility Under 28 USC 1930(f) and Installment Plans Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/fee-waiver.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Cost of NOT Filing bankruptcycost.com What bankruptcy actually costs - filing fees, attorney fees, and everything in between Home›Can I File Bankruptcy for Free? Fee Waivers and Installment Plans - bankruptcycost.org›bankruptcycost.org Can I File Bankruptcy for Free? Fee Waivers and Installment Plans Last updated: March 2026 Yes, it is possible to file bankruptcy for free or close to free. Between fee waivers, installment plans, legal aid organizations, and pro bono attorneys, there are multiple paths to filing even if you have very little money. This page explains each option. Complete Official Form 103B (Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived) File it with your bankruptcy petition The court reviews your income and expenses If approved, the $338 filing fee is waived entirely If denied, you can request to pay in installments instead Important: A fee waiver... Option 1: Fee Waiver (Chapter 7 Only) Chapter 7 is the only chapter of bankruptcy where the court filing fee can be completely waived. This is known as filing "in forma pauperis" (IFP), which is Latin for "in the manner of a pauper." The legal basis is 28 U.S.C. Section 1930(f). Who Qualifies To qualify for a Chapter 7 fee waiver, you must demonstrate both of the following: Your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. This is based on your total household income, not just your individual income. You are unable to pay the filing fee even in installments. The court considers your income, expenses, and any available cash or assets. Income Thresholds (150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines) Household Size Annual Income Monthly Income 1 person$22,590$1,883 2 people$30,660$2,555 3 people$38,730$3,228 4 people$46,800$3,900 5 people$54,870$4,573 6 people$62,940$5,245 Add $8,070 per year for each additional person. Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds. How to Apply Complete Official Form 103B (Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived) File it with your bankruptcy petition The court reviews your income and expenses If approved, the $338 filing fee is waived entirely If denied, you can request to pay in installments instead Important: A fee waiver only covers the $338 filing fee. It does not cover attorney fees, credit counseling, or debtor education. However, if you qualify for a fee waiver, you likely also qualify for free credit counseling and free legal aid. Option 2: Installment Payments (All Chapters) If you do not qualify for a fee waiver (or are filing under Chapter 13, 11, or 12 where waivers are not available), you can pay the filing fee in installments. How Installment Payments Work File Official Form 103A (Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments) with your petition The fee is split into up to four payments All payments must be completed within 120 days of filing The court can extend this to 180 days for good cause The first payment is due at filing (can be as low as 25% of the total fee) No interest is charged Installment Schedule Example (Chapter 13 - $313) Payment Amount Due Date 1st installment$78.25At filing 2nd installment$78.25Within 30 days 3rd installment$78.25Within 60 days 4th installment$78.25Within 120 days Warning: While paying in installments, you are prohibited from paying any other fees to anyone - including your attorney - until the filing fee is fully paid. This rule exists in Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1006(b)(3). If you violate this rule, the court can dismiss your case. Option 3: Legal Aid (Free Attorney Representation) Legal aid organizations provide free legal services to low-income individuals, including bankruptcy representation. If you qualify, you receive a licensed attorney at no cost. How to Find Legal Aid LawHelp.org: Enter your zip code to find legal aid organizations in your area Legal Services Corporation (LSC): The largest funder of civil legal aid in the U.S. - lsc.gov/get-legal-help Local bar association: Most bar associations maintain pro bono referral programs Law school clinics: Many law schools operate bankruptcy clinics where supervised law students handle cases for free Eligibility Most legal aid organizations use income-based eligibility, typically requiring household income at or below 125-200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Some organizations also consider assets and the nature of your legal problem. Legal aid demand consistently exceeds supply. Many organizations have waiting lists or limit the types of bankruptcy cases they accept. Apply as early as possible. Option 4: Pro Bono Attorneys Some private bankruptcy attorneys take a certain number of cases for free (pro bono) each year. Pro bono work is encouraged by the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which suggest attorneys provide at least 50 hours of pro bono service annually. Ways to find pro bono help: State and local bar associations: Most have formal pro bono programs Volunteer Lawyers Project: Active in many states National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA): Some member attorneys take pro bono cases Bankruptcy court websites: Some courts maintain lists of attorneys willing to take pro bono cases Option 5: Pro Se Filing (Self-Representation) You have the right to file bankruptcy without an attorney ("pro se"). This reduces your cost to just the filing fee ($338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13) plus mandatory course fees ($30-100). However, pro se filing comes with significant risks: Higher dismissal rates: Pro se cases are dismissed at much higher rates than attorney-represented cases Complex paperwork: Bankruptcy petitions require detailed schedules of assets, debts, income, and expenses Exemption mistakes: Claiming the wrong exemptions can result in losing property you could have kept Procedural traps: Missing deadlines, failing to attend hearings, or not responding to creditor objections can torpedo your case Chapter 13 plans: Writing a confirmable Chapter 13 plan without legal training is extremely difficult The math: If a pro se Chapter 7 case gets dismissed due to errors, you have spent $338 (or more, if you refile) and months of effort with nothing to show for it. A $1,500 attorney fee that results in a successful discharge is almost always the better investment. If cost is the barrier, exhaust the legal aid and pro bono options above before filing pro se. Summary: Filing Bankruptcy on a Budget Option Upfront Cost Best For Fee waiver + legal aid $0 Very low income, Chapter 7 Legal aid + installments $78 - $85 Low income, any chapter Chapter 13 + installments $78 - $500 Regular income, attorney paid through plan Pro se + fee waiver $0 Very low income (high risk) Pro se + installments $78 - $85 Budget-constrained (high risk) The bottom line: being unable to afford a bankruptcy attorney is not a reason to delay filing. There are real options for reducing costs to near zero. Start by contacting legal aid in your area, then explore fee waivers and installment plans. Before hiring an attorney: Understand their track record first. Our 2026 guide on evaluating bankruptcy attorney ratings explains how to read court data - dismissal rates, completion rates, and more - so you can compare attorneys meaningfully. A cheap attorney with a 60% dismissal rate is no bargain. Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison -- chapter7vs13.org Free Means Test Calculator -- meanstest.org --- ## Bankruptcy Filing Fee Waiver - Income Requirements and Form 103B - Bankruptcy Cost Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/filing-fee-waiver.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Fees by State | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Filing Fee Waiver | Cost of NOT Filing | Cost of Inaction bankruptcycost.com How to reduce or eliminate the court filing fee based on income Home›Bankruptcy Filing Fee Waiver - Income Requirements and Form Bankruptcy Filing Fee Waiver - Income Requirements and Form 103B To request a fee waiver, file Official Form 103B (Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived) with your bankruptcy petition. Who Qualifies for a Fee Waiver? Under 28 U.S.C. Section 1930(f), the court can waive the Chapter 7 filing fee entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. For 2024-2025: Household Size150% Poverty Level (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,883 2 people$30,660$2,555 3 people$38,730$3,228 4 people$46,800$3,900 Fee waivers are only available in Chapter 7 cases. Chapter 13 filers cannot receive a fee waiver but can pay in installments. How to Apply: Form 103B To request a fee waiver, file Official Form 103B (Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived) with your bankruptcy petition. The form requires: Your household income from all sources Monthly expenses Property you own (assets) Whether you can pay in installments The court reviews the application and may grant the waiver, deny it, or schedule a hearing. If denied, you can still request installment payments. Installment Payment Alternative If your income is too high for a full waiver but you cannot afford to pay the filing fee upfront, you can file Official Form 103A (Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments). The court will typically allow you to pay in up to 4 installments over 120 days. When paying in installments: The first installment is due at filing or within 14 days You cannot pay an attorney until the filing fee is paid in full Failure to make installment payments can result in case dismissal What About Chapter 13? There is no fee waiver available for Chapter 13 cases. However, the $313 Chapter 13 filing fee can be paid in installments, and most Chapter 13 attorneys include the filing fee in their overall fee structure, which is paid through the plan. Cross-References Filing fees by chapter Fee waiver overview howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.org howtofilebankruptcy.org prosedebtors.org - Resources for self-represented filers Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org 1099-C Cancellation of Debt Tax Guide -- 1099cdebt.com Student Loans in Bankruptcy -- bankruptcystudentloans.org --- ## Bankruptcy Filing Fees [2026]: Chapter 7 ($338), Chapter 13 ($313), Chapter 11 ($1,738) Under 28 USC 1930 Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/filing-fees.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Cost of NOT Filing bankruptcycost.com What bankruptcy actually costs - filing fees, attorney fees, and everything in between Home›Bankruptcy Filing Fees by Chapter (2024-2026) - bankruptcycost.org›bankruptcycost.org Bankruptcy Filing Fees by Chapter (2024-2026) Last updated: March 2026 Every bankruptcy case begins with a filing fee paid to the court. These fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and are uniform across all 94 federal bankruptcy courts. The fee amount depends solely on which chapter you file under. The filing fee covers the administrative cost of processing your bankruptcy case. When you pay the filing fee, the court: Assigns a case number and judge Issues the automatic stay (which immediately stops most collection actions) Schedules the 341 Meeting of Creditors Sends notices to all listed... Complete Fee Schedule Chapter Filing Fee Description Chapter 7 $338 Liquidation for individuals and businesses Chapter 9 $1,738 Municipality reorganization Chapter 11 $1,738 Business reorganization Chapter 12 $278 Family farmer or fisherman adjustment Chapter 13 $313 Wage earner repayment plan Chapter 15 $1,738 Cross-border insolvency The filing fee is a one-time cost paid when your petition is filed with the court. It is separate from any attorney fees, credit counseling fees, or other costs associated with your case. What the Filing Fee Covers The filing fee covers the administrative cost of processing your bankruptcy case. When you pay the filing fee, the court: Assigns a case number and judge Issues the automatic stay (which immediately stops most collection actions) Schedules the 341 Meeting of Creditors Sends notices to all listed creditors Maintains your case docket throughout the proceeding The filing fee does NOT cover: attorney fees, mandatory pre-filing credit counseling, post-filing debtor education, or any other professional services. Installment Payment Option If you cannot pay the full filing fee at the time of filing, you may request to pay in installments. This option is available for all chapters of bankruptcy. How installment payments work: File an Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments (Official Form 103A) The fee is divided into up to four installments All installments must be paid within 120 days of filing The court may extend this to 180 days for cause shown The first installment is due at filing; the final installment cannot be later than 120 (or 180) days after You cannot pay anyone else (including your attorney) until the filing fee is paid in full There is no interest or additional charge for paying in installments. However, failing to make installment payments on time can result in your case being dismissed. Fee Waiver (Chapter 7 Only) Chapter 7 is the only chapter where the filing fee can be waived entirely. This is called filing "in forma pauperis" (IFP). To qualify, you must demonstrate that: Your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines You are unable to pay the fee in installments To request a fee waiver, file Official Form 103B (Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived) along with your petition. The court will review your income and expenses to determine eligibility. 2024-2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines (150% Threshold for Fee Waiver) Household Size Annual Income Threshold Monthly Income Threshold 1$22,590$1,883 2$30,660$2,555 3$38,730$3,228 4$46,800$3,900 5$54,870$4,573 6$62,940$5,245 Source: HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines. Add $8,070 for each additional household member. Alaska and Hawaii have higher thresholds. For complete details on fee waivers, installment plans, and free filing options, see Can I File Bankruptcy for Free? Fees for Other Bankruptcy Actions Beyond the initial filing fee, certain actions during a bankruptcy case carry additional fees: Action Fee Converting from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13$25 Converting from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7$25 Reopening a closed caseSame as original filing fee Amending schedules$32 Motion for relief from the automatic stay$181 Filing a proof of claim after the deadline$26 These fees are typically paid by the party filing the motion or amendment, not necessarily the debtor. Where to Pay Filing fees are paid to the Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court in the district where you file. Most courts accept: Money order or cashier's check (preferred) Cash (at the clerk's office) Credit or debit card (some courts) Electronic payment through CM/ECF (for attorneys filing electronically) Personal checks are generally not accepted. If you file electronically through an attorney, the attorney typically handles the fee payment on your behalf. Next: Filing fees are just one component of bankruptcy cost. See how attorney fees work or read the complete cost overview. Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison -- chapter7vs13.org 1099-C Cancellation of Debt Tax Guide -- 1099cdebt.com --- ## Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy [2026]: Credit Counseling, Debtor Education, and Property Valuations Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/hidden-costs.html Skip to main content ☰ Menu Cost Overview | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Cost of NOT Filing bankruptcycost.com What bankruptcy actually costs - filing fees, attorney fees, and everything in between Home›Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy You Should Know About - bankruptcycost.org›bankruptcycost.org Hidden Costs of Bankruptcy You Should Know About Last updated: March 2026 Most guides to bankruptcy cost only mention the filing fee and attorney fee. But there are several additional expenses - some mandatory, some easy to overlook - that add to your total out-of-pocket cost. Here is every hidden cost you should plan for. Filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the chapter and complexity. Fee waivers and installment payments are available for those who qualify. Mandatory: Credit Counseling ($15 - $50) Before you can file any bankruptcy case, you must complete a credit counseling course from an agency approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. This requirement was added by the 2005 BAPCPA amendments (11 U.S.C. Section 109(h)). Cost: $15 to $50 (some agencies offer it free for low-income filers) Duration: Approximately 60-90 minutes Format: Available online, by phone, or in person Timing: Must be completed within 180 days before filing Certificate: You receive a certificate that must be filed with your petition The counseling session covers budgeting, debt management alternatives, and whether bankruptcy is the right option for you. You must complete it regardless of which chapter you file under. Tip: Some approved agencies waive or reduce the fee if your income is below the poverty line. The U.S. Trustee's website maintains a list of approved credit counseling agencies organized by state. Mandatory: Debtor Education ($15 - $50) After filing, you must complete a financial management (debtor education) course before receiving your discharge. This is a separate requirement from the pre-filing credit counseling. Cost: $15 to $50 Duration: Approximately 2 hours Format: Available online, by phone, or in person Timing: Must be completed after filing but before discharge Deadline: Chapter 7: within 60 days of the 341 Meeting; Chapter 13: before the last plan payment Failure to complete the debtor education course will prevent the court from granting your discharge - even if everything else in your case goes perfectly. Do not skip or delay this step. Document Gathering and Preparation Filing bankruptcy requires extensive documentation. Gathering these documents takes time and may involve direct costs: Document Potential Cost Notes Tax returns (last 2-4 years) $0 - $50 Free from IRS.gov; paid if using a tax preparer Pay stubs (6 months) $0 Usually available from employer or payroll system Bank statements (6 months) $0 - $25 Free online; some banks charge for paper copies Vehicle valuations $0 NADA or KBB online (courts typically use NADA) Property appraisal $0 - $400 Only needed if real estate equity is significant Credit reports $0 Free from annualcreditreport.com Copying and printing $10 - $30 For documents that need to be provided to your attorney Your attorney will provide a checklist of required documents. Being organized and thorough from the start can save time and reduce attorney fees for cases billed hourly. Lost Wages for Court Appearances Bankruptcy requires at least one mandatory court appearance: the 341 Meeting of Creditors. Depending on your chapter and circumstances, you may have additional hearings. Chapter 7 Time Commitment 341 Meeting: Usually 5-15 minutes of actual testimony, but you may wait 30-60 minutes for your turn. Budget half a day including travel time. Additional hearings: Rare in routine Chapter 7 cases. May occur if there are objections to exemptions or discharge. Chapter 13 Time Commitment 341 Meeting: Same as Chapter 7 (plan half a day) Confirmation hearing: Some districts require debtor attendance; others do not. If required, plan for another half day. Ongoing hearings: If creditors object to your plan or you need to modify it, each hearing may require time off work. The cost depends on your wages and whether your employer offers paid time off. At a $20/hour wage, a half-day absence costs approximately $80. Over the life of a Chapter 13 case, total lost wages for hearings could reach $200-500. Credit Impact: The Long-Term Indirect Cost A bankruptcy filing appears on your credit report for: Chapter 7: 10 years from the filing date Chapter 13: 7 years from the filing date This can affect your ability to borrow money and the interest rates you are offered. However, the actual impact is more nuanced than most people think: The credit score paradox: Many people who file bankruptcy already have severely damaged credit from missed payments, collections, and judgments. Filing bankruptcy often causes an initial credit score drop, but many filers see their scores improve within 12-18 months of discharge because the overwhelming debt has been eliminated. A fresh start with manageable debt is often better for your credit than years of missed payments. The real cost of credit impact is in higher interest rates on future borrowing: Auto loans: Expect 3-8% higher interest rates for the first 2-3 years post-discharge Mortgages: FHA loans are available 2 years after Chapter 7 discharge; conventional loans after 4 years Credit cards: Secured cards are available immediately; unsecured cards within 1-2 years Insurance: Some insurers use credit-based scores, so premiums may be slightly higher Potential Additional Attorney Charges Some situations trigger additional attorney fees beyond the initial flat fee or no-look amount: Amended schedules: If you need to add or change information after filing ($100-300 per amendment) Contested matters: If a creditor objects to your exemptions, discharge, or plan ($500-2,000+) Plan modifications: If your income changes and the plan needs updating ($200-500) Adversary proceedings: If someone sues you within the bankruptcy case ($1,000-5,000+) Ask your attorney upfront what is included in their fee and what would trigger additional charges. Complete Hidden Cost Summary Hidden Cost Amount Mandatory? Credit counseling (pre-filing)$15 - $50Yes Debtor education (post-filing)$15 - $50Yes Document gathering$0 - $100Practically yes Lost wages (hearings)$80 - $500Varies Credit impact (higher rates)VariesIndirect Amended schedules$100 - $300Only if needed Typical total hidden costs $110 - $700 Perspective: These hidden costs add $110 to $700 to your total bankruptcy expense. That sounds significant until you compare it to the cost of NOT filing - ongoing garnishments, repossessions, and compounding debt. Read the cost of not filing for the full comparison. Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy costs and fees: Court Fee Schedule Official fees Fee Waiver Form Installment payments Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ approved list CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer guide Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid finder FJC Bankruptcy Statistics Federal Judicial Center Attorney Fee Research Google Scholar Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Dismissed Bankruptcy Cases Free bankruptcy information guide bankruptcydismissed.com → Filing Bankruptcy Twice Free bankruptcy information guide canifilebankruptcytwice.com → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. Stay updated on new datasets and research findings No spam. No marketing. Just data. Subscribe $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison -- chapter7vs13.org 1099-C Cancellation of Debt Tax Guide -- 1099cdebt.com --- ## Bankruptcy Cost - How to Reduce What You Pay [2026 Guide] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/ 🌐 Esta página está disponible en Español Skip to main content ☰ Menu Reduce Costs | Filing Fees | Attorney Fees | Hidden Costs | Fee Waivers | Cost of NOT Filing | Ch.7 Cost | Ch.13 Cost | Cost by State | Cost by District Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project - 210+ free domains, 49,000+ pages, $0 hosting bankruptcycost.org Quick answer: Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 is $313. Attorney fees range from $1,000-$4,000 depending on chapter and complexity. How to pay less for bankruptcy - fee waivers, legal aid, and cost-saving strategies How to Reduce Bankruptcy Costs Last updated: April 2026 | For a complete cost overview, see bankruptcycost.com Bankruptcy is one of the most powerful financial tools available to consumers, but cost is the most common reason people delay filing - or avoid it entirely. The reality is that most people can significantly reduce what they pay, and some can file for free. This page covers every legitimate strategy for lowering your bankruptcy costs. Whether you qualify for a complete fee waiver, need an installment plan, or want to find free legal representation, there is almost always a way to make bankruptcy affordable. The key is knowing what options exist and which ones apply to your situation. Key insight: People who cannot afford bankruptcy are often the people who need it most. Congress, the courts, and the legal aid community have created multiple pathways to reduce or eliminate costs for low-income filers. You should not let cost alone stop you from getting a fresh start. Strategy 1: Filing Fee Waivers (Chapter 7 Only) Chapter 7 is the only bankruptcy chapter where the filing fee can be completely waived. If your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can apply using Official Form 103B. 2026 Income Limits for Fee Waiver Eligibility Household Size 150% Poverty Guideline (Annual) Monthly Equivalent 1 person $22,590 $1,883 2 people $30,660 $2,555 3 people $38,730 $3,228 4 people $46,800 $3,900 The court considers your total household income, not just your individual income. The fee waiver saves you the full $338 filing fee. Courts will deny the waiver if you received one in the past 180 days, so this cannot be used for serial filings. Important: Fee waivers are not available for Chapter 13, Chapter 11, or Chapter 12. For those chapters, use the installment payment option described below. Strategy 2: Installment Payment Plans Every bankruptcy chapter allows you to pay the filing fee in installments rather than a lump sum. Use Official Form 103A to apply. You can split the fee into up to 4 payments over 120 days The court can extend this to 180 days for good cause The first payment can be as low as 25% of the total fee For Chapter 13 ($313 fee), that means a first payment of about $78 There is one important restriction: if you are paying the filing fee in installments, you cannot simultaneously pay an attorney. This prevents situations where debtors prioritize paying their lawyer while the court waits for its filing fee. Strategy 3: Free Legal Representation Free bankruptcy attorneys exist. They are not easy to find, and there are often waitlists, but for qualifying low-income individuals they can eliminate the single largest cost of filing. Where to Find Free Bankruptcy Help LawHelp.org - the Legal Services Corporation's directory of legal aid organizations. Search by state and select "bankruptcy" as the topic. This is the single best starting point. Local bar association volunteer lawyer programs - many bar associations run pro bono panels where private attorneys take bankruptcy cases for free. Call your county or state bar association and ask about bankruptcy pro bono programs. Law school clinics - dozens of law schools operate bankruptcy clinics where supervised law students handle real cases. Cases are handled carefully under faculty supervision and the service is free. Check law schools in your area. Nonprofit credit counseling agencies - some DOJ-approved agencies offer more than just the mandatory counseling course. A few provide bankruptcy preparation assistance or can refer you to pro bono attorneys. What Free Attorneys Will and Will Not Do Legal aid bankruptcy attorneys typically handle straightforward consumer cases - Chapter 7 with limited assets and no adversary proceedings. They generally will not take cases involving: Business bankruptcies or complex asset structures Adversary proceedings (lawsuits within the bankruptcy) Cases where the debtor does not pass the bankruptcy means test guide Chapter 13 cases (though some legal aid offices do handle these) Even if legal aid cannot take your full case, many offer "limited scope" help - reviewing your petition, answering questions, or attending the what to expect at the 341 meeting with you. Strategy 4: Filing Pro Se (Without an Attorney) Filing pro se eliminates attorney fees entirely, which can save $1,000 to $5,000. Your total cost drops to just the filing fee ($338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13) plus course fees ($30-100). When Pro Se Filing Makes Sense You have a simple Chapter 7 case: wage income, no real property, no assets above exemption limits, no prior bankruptcy You are comfortable with paperwork and can follow detailed instructions You have time to research the process thoroughly Your income clearly falls below the median for your state (no means test issues) When Pro Se Filing Is Risky Chapter 13: The plan confirmation process is complex. Pro se Chapter 13 cases have dismissal rates as high as 70% in some districts. A dismissed case means you paid the filing fee and got nothing. Real property: If you own a home, exemption calculations and lien avoidance issues can be tricky Prior bankruptcy: If you filed before, discharge bar rules under Section 1328(f) and other timing restrictions apply Business income: Self-employment income complicates the means test and schedule preparation Nondischargeable debts: If creditors may challenge the dischargeability of specific debts under Section 523(a), you need an attorney The free resources at pro se bankruptcy filing guide can help you evaluate whether your case is suitable for pro se filing. Strategy 5: Reduce Mandatory Course Costs Bankruptcy requires two mandatory courses: pre-filing credit counseling and post-filing debtor education. Each typically costs $15-50, but you can reduce or eliminate these costs: Ask about fee waivers: Many DOJ-approved agencies waive fees for low-income individuals. You must ask - they rarely volunteer this information. Compare providers: Prices vary significantly between approved agencies. Check the DOJ's approved list and compare several before choosing. Take both courses from the same provider: Some agencies offer discounts when you complete both the credit counseling and debtor education courses through them. Online courses are cheapest: In-person and phone sessions tend to cost more than online self-paced courses. Strategy 6: Negotiate Attorney Fees Attorney fees are not fixed. Strategies for paying less include: Get multiple quotes: Call at least three bankruptcy attorneys. Many offer free initial consultations. Fee variation of $500 or more between attorneys in the same city is common. Ask about payment plans: Many Chapter 7 attorneys allow you to pay their fee in installments before filing. You pay over 2-3 months, then the case is filed once the fee is fully paid. Look for flat-fee arrangements: Most consumer bankruptcy attorneys charge flat fees rather than hourly rates. This protects you from cost overruns. Check "no-look" fee amounts: In Chapter 13, many districts have a presumptively reasonable fee (called a "no-look" fee) that courts approve without detailed review. If your attorney is charging significantly more than the no-look fee, ask why. Evaluate your attorney's track record: An attorney who charges $1,500 but gets 95% of their clients discharged is a better value than one who charges $1,000 with a 60% success rate. Read our guide on how to evaluate bankruptcy attorney ratings using court data. Warning - "no money down" bankruptcy firms: Some high-volume firms advertise zero upfront cost for Chapter 13, which is technically possible since fees can be paid through the plan. But these firms often handle hundreds of cases simultaneously with minimal individual attention. Research shows that high-volume "mill" practices have significantly higher dismissal rates. A low upfront cost does not guarantee good representation. Strategy 7: Time Your Filing Strategically When you file can affect what you pay: Wait for tax refund season: Many people use their tax refund to pay filing fees and attorney costs. January through April is peak bankruptcy filing season for this reason. File before wage garnishment starts: Once a garnishment begins, every paycheck costs you money. Filing sooner triggers the automatic stay protection in bankruptcy, which stops garnishments immediately. The cost of delay can far exceed the cost of filing. Coordinate with your attorney's billing: Some attorneys offer lower fees during slower periods (typically summer and fall). Ask if timing flexibility can save you money. What You Should NOT Do to Save Money Some cost-cutting approaches create bigger problems: Do not use a petition preparer as a substitute for an attorney. Petition preparers (non-lawyer document preparers) can help you fill out forms, but they cannot give legal advice, represent you in court, or advise you on exemptions. If they do, they are practicing law without a license. Do not borrow money to pay for bankruptcy. Taking on new debt immediately before filing can create problems, including potential denial of discharge for fraud. Do not delay filing to save up. If you are facing active garnishment, lawsuits, or repossession, the cost of waiting almost always exceeds the cost of filing. Calculate what you are losing each month and compare it to the filing cost. Do not hide assets to qualify for a fee waiver. The court reviews your financial disclosures under penalty of perjury. Concealing assets is a federal crime. Cost Comparison: What Doing Nothing Costs The most expensive option is usually doing nothing. Here is what people commonly lose by not filing: Cost of Not Filing Typical Annual Cost Wage garnishment (25% of disposable income) $5,000 - $15,000/year Interest on unpaid debts $2,000 - $8,000/year Late fees and penalties $500 - $2,000/year Collection lawsuits (judgment + costs) $1,000 - $5,000 per suit Vehicle repossession (deficiency balance) $5,000 - $15,000 one-time A $1,500 bankruptcy that eliminates $30,000 in debt is not an expense - it is the highest-return investment most people will ever make. For the full analysis, see The Cost of NOT Filing Bankruptcy. Frequently Asked Questions Can I get my bankruptcy filing fee waived? Yes, but only in Chapter 7. If your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, apply using Official Form 103B. The court reviews your income and expenses. If granted, the full $338 fee is waived. Fee waivers are not available in Chapter 13, 11, or 12. How do I find a free bankruptcy attorney? Start at LawHelp.org and search by state for bankruptcy legal aid. Also contact your local bar association's volunteer lawyer program and check whether nearby law schools operate bankruptcy clinics. Availability varies by location and there may be waitlists. Can I pay the filing fee in installments? Yes, in all chapters. Use Official Form 103A to request up to four payments over 120 days (extendable to 180). The first payment can be as low as 25% of the total fee. You cannot simultaneously pay the filing fee in installments and pay an attorney. Is it cheaper to file bankruptcy without a lawyer? Yes - pro se filing eliminates attorney fees ($1,000 to $5,000), dropping total costs to under $500. But pro se cases have much higher dismissal rates, especially in Chapter 13 (up to 70% in some districts). A dismissed case means you paid the fee and got nothing. Pro se works best for simple Chapter 7 cases. Can I get free credit counseling courses? Yes. Many DOJ-approved credit counseling agencies offer fee waivers for low-income filers. Ask about hardship waivers when you contact them. Both the pre-filing counseling and post-filing debtor education courses ($15-50 each) can be free if you qualify. Further Reading & Resources Authority sources for reducing bankruptcy costs: Find Free Legal Aid LSC legal aid directory - search by state Fee Waiver Application (Form 103B) Official form for Chapter 7 fee waivers Installment Payment Application (Form 103A) Official form for installment payments Approved Credit Counseling Agencies DOJ list - compare prices and fee waivers CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy? Consumer Financial Protection Bureau guide Complete Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown bankruptcycost.com - filing fees, attorney fees, total costs by chapter Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Complete cost breakdown by chapter bankruptcycost.com → Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13 howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com → Pro Se Bankruptcy Filing Resources for filing without an attorney prosedebtors.org → The Bankruptcy Means Test Do you qualify for Chapter 7? meanstest.org → Your Next Questions Real users ask these next - we built the answers. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Compare chapters before you file chapter7vs13.org → Can I Keep My Car? What happens to your vehicle in bankruptcy keepmycarinbankruptcy.com → Can I Keep My House? Homestead exemptions and mortgage options keepmyhouseinbankruptcy.com → What Is a Bankruptcy Mill? How to avoid high-volume, low-quality firms bankruptcymill.org → 462+ Court Documents Freed from PACER We buy federal court records and donate them to RECAP so no one has to pay. Browse the archive → This site is free and open-source. Donations support the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-5159631), funding PACER access fees and bankruptcy court transparency research. ♥ Donate Bankruptcy Cost by Federal District Filing fees are national, but attorney fees, filing volume, and dismissal rates vary by district. We built per-district pages combining the 2026 fee schedule with real FJC case-outcome data. C.D. California · S.D. Florida · N.D. Illinois · S.D. Texas · E.D. New York · D. Kansas Browse All 39 District Cost Pages → State Bankruptcy Guides Exemptions vary dramatically by state. Find your state's homestead, vehicle, and wildcard exemptions. California · Texas · Florida · New York · Illinois · Ohio Browse All 50 State Guides → Related Guides Bankruptcy Filing Costs Voluntary Petition Guide Pro Se Bankruptcy Questions File Bankruptcy Without a Lawyer 📖 Bankruptcy Glossary -- 61 terms explained Filing in Your State? Exemptions vary dramatically by state. Check what you can protect. Browse Your State's Exemptions → Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network Real information, no strings. Discharge Screener Open Bankruptcy Project Ch.7 vs Ch.13 Bankruptcy Cost Automatic Stay 341 Meeting Exemptions by State Means Test File Without a Lawyer Rebuild Credit 1099cdebt.com Free bankruptcy education for the public interest. Not legal advice. If you need legal help, contact a licensed attorney in your state. A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 41-5159631). Privacy | Terms ♥ Donate Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestion 26-BK-3 PACER cases made free through RECAP: 0 of 37.9 million Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor. $0 of $5,000 Q1 PACER research goal 1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. Sponsor this research This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. Have a Question? Open Bankruptcy Project provides free educational information. We are not a law firm. Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney. Select your state... 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You May Also Find Helpful Bankruptcy Means Test by State -- bankruptcymeanstest.org Open Bankruptcy Project -- openbankruptcyproject.org Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison -- chapter7vs13.org Most-read OBP guides Brunner Test (§523(a)(8)) 3-prong analysis for discharging student loans Car Loan After Bankruptcy Buy a car and get financing post-discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy Can you discharge them? 2026 guide Federal Exemptions §522(d) Complete list of federal exemptions Nondischargeable Debts List Debts that survive bankruptcy discharge Site Map Additional resources on this site Googlezvjzyjfznkwziasscft56Wwvzodyv174Hor3Hvo 08Y --- ## Privacy Policy - bankruptcycost.org Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/privacy.html bankruptcycost.org Home Privacy Privacy Policy How we handle your data. Short version: we don't sell it, share it, or use it for advertising. Data We Collect We use Google Analytics (GA4) to measure aggregate site traffic. 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Supported by donations. --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Central District of California [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/central-district-of-california.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Central District of California - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Central District of California Bankruptcy Cost in the Central District of California Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Central District of California - the federal court covering California bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Central District of California, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Central District of California. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Central District of California Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Central District of California is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Central District of California's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Central District of California (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Central District of California covering filings from 1987 through 2025. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 75,12987.2%98.4%1.5% Chapter 11100.2%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1374412.6%36.6%63.4% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Central District of California is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 87% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 13% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Central District of California is 37% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Central District of California: 98% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Central District of California. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in California (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Central District of California - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Central District of California Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Central District of California Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your California county. Law school clinics. Several California law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Central District of California clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of Connecticut District of Delaware Middle District of Florida Northern District of Florida See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Connecticut [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-connecticut.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of Connecticut - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of Connecticut Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Connecticut Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of Connecticut - the federal court covering Connecticut bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of Connecticut, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of Connecticut. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of Connecticut Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of Connecticut is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of Connecticut's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of Connecticut (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of Connecticut covering filings from 1981 through 2017. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 77464.9%95.2%4.8% Chapter 112118.4%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 131916.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The District of Connecticut is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 65% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 17% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of Connecticut. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Connecticut (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of Connecticut - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of Connecticut Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of Connecticut Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Connecticut county. Law school clinics. Several Connecticut law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of Connecticut clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Arkansas Western District of Arkansas Central District of California Eastern District of California See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Delaware [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-delaware.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of Delaware - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of Delaware Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Delaware Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of Delaware - the federal court covering Delaware bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of Delaware, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of Delaware. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of Delaware Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of Delaware is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of Delaware's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of Delaware (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of Delaware covering filings from 2000 through 2025. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 7415.4%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 112180.8%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1313.8%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of Delaware. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Delaware (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of Delaware - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of Delaware Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of Delaware Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Delaware county. Law school clinics. Several Delaware law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of Delaware clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of New Jersey District of Nevada Eastern District of New York Northern District of Ohio See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Kansas [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-kansas.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of Kansas - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of Kansas Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Kansas Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of Kansas - the federal court covering Kansas bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of Kansas, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of Kansas. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of Kansas Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of Kansas is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of Kansas's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of Kansas (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of Kansas covering filings from 1988 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 718,67345.4%99.4%0.5% Chapter 112380.6%23.9%76.1% Chapter 1322,17654.0%73.1%26.9% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the District of Kansas split 45% Chapter 7 and 54% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 completion in the District of Kansas is strong: 73% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the District of Kansas: 99% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (238 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of Kansas. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Kansas (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of Kansas - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of Kansas Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of Kansas Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Kansas county. Law school clinics. Several Kansas law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of Kansas clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Middle District of Florida Northern District of Florida Southern District of Florida Northern District of Georgia See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Maryland [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-maryland.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of Maryland - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of Maryland Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Maryland Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of Maryland - the federal court covering Maryland bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of Maryland, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of Maryland. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of Maryland Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of Maryland is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of Maryland's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of Maryland (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of Maryland covering filings from 1993 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 742049.9%97.4%0.0% Chapter 1128333.6%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1313916.5%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the District of Maryland split 50% Chapter 7 and 17% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (283 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of Maryland. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Maryland (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of Maryland - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of Maryland Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of Maryland Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Maryland county. Law school clinics. Several Maryland law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of Maryland clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Northern District of Texas Southern District of Texas Eastern District of Virginia Eastern District of Wisconsin See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Massachusetts [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-massachusetts.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of Massachusetts - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of Massachusetts Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Massachusetts Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of Massachusetts - the federal court covering Massachusetts bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of Massachusetts, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of Massachusetts. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of Massachusetts Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of Massachusetts is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of Massachusetts's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of Massachusetts (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of Massachusetts covering filings from 1987 through 2024. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 71,29093.8%98.3%0.9% Chapter 11191.4%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 13664.8%59.1%40.9% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The District of Massachusetts is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 94% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 5% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 completion in the District of Massachusetts is strong: 59% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the District of Massachusetts: 98% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of Massachusetts. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Massachusetts (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of Massachusetts - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of Massachusetts Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of Massachusetts Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Massachusetts county. Law school clinics. Several Massachusetts law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of Massachusetts clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Pennsylvania District of South Carolina Western District of Tennessee Northern District of Texas See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Minnesota [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-minnesota.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of Minnesota - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of Minnesota Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Minnesota Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of Minnesota - the federal court covering Minnesota bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of Minnesota, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of Minnesota. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of Minnesota Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of Minnesota is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of Minnesota's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of Minnesota (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of Minnesota covering filings from 2003 through 2017. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 737995.9%99.7%0.3% Chapter 13164.1%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The District of Minnesota is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 96% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 4% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of Minnesota. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Minnesota (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of Minnesota - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of Minnesota Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of Minnesota Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Minnesota county. Law school clinics. Several Minnesota law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of Minnesota clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Southern District of California District of Connecticut District of Delaware Middle District of Florida See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Nevada [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-nevada.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of Nevada - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of Nevada Bankruptcy Cost in the District of Nevada Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of Nevada - the federal court covering Nevada bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of Nevada, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of Nevada. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of Nevada Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of Nevada is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of Nevada's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of Nevada (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of Nevada covering filings from 1935 through 2021. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 716451.9%93.4%5.9% Chapter 117423.4%30.2%69.8% Chapter 137824.7%37.2%62.8% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the District of Nevada split 52% Chapter 7 and 25% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the District of Nevada is 37% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the District of Nevada: 93% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (74 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of Nevada. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Nevada (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of Nevada - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of Nevada Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of Nevada Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Nevada county. Law school clinics. Several Nevada law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of Nevada clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Southern District of Indiana District of Kansas Eastern District of Kentucky Western District of Kentucky See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of New Jersey [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-new-jersey.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of New Jersey - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of New Jersey Bankruptcy Cost in the District of New Jersey Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of New Jersey - the federal court covering New Jersey bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of New Jersey, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of New Jersey. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of New Jersey Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of New Jersey is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of New Jersey's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of New Jersey (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of New Jersey covering filings from 1990 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 752632.2%97.3%2.7% Chapter 11533.2%28.6%71.4% Chapter 131,05464.5%31.0%68.8% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The District of New Jersey is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 65% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 32% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 completion in the District of New Jersey is difficult: only 31% of resolved Chapter 13 cases reach discharge. Roughly two-thirds of Chapter 13 filers here pay filing fees, attorney fees, and months (or years) of plan payments - then dismiss without a discharge. That is an expensive outcome. Before choosing Chapter 13 in New Jersey, weigh this completion rate against the certainty of Chapter 7 discharge for qualifying filers. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the District of New Jersey: 97% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (53 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of New Jersey. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in New Jersey (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of New Jersey - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of New Jersey Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of New Jersey Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your New Jersey county. Law school clinics. Several New Jersey law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of New Jersey clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Western District of Arkansas Central District of California Eastern District of California Southern District of California See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the District of South Carolina [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/district-of-south-carolina.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org District of South Carolina - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » District of South Carolina Bankruptcy Cost in the District of South Carolina Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the District of South Carolina - the federal court covering South Carolina bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the District of South Carolina, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the District of South Carolina. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the District of South Carolina Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The District of South Carolina is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the District of South Carolina's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the District of South Carolina (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the District of South Carolina covering filings from 1991 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 730139.0%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1113717.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1333443.3%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the District of South Carolina split 39% Chapter 7 and 43% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (137 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the District of South Carolina. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in South Carolina (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the District of South Carolina - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the District of South Carolina Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the District of South Carolina Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your South Carolina county. Law school clinics. Several South Carolina law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The District of South Carolina clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Northern District of Alabama Eastern District of Arkansas Western District of Arkansas Central District of California See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Arkansas [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-arkansas.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of Arkansas - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of Arkansas Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Arkansas Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Arkansas - the federal court covering Arkansas bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of Arkansas, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of Arkansas. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of Arkansas Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of Arkansas is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of Arkansas's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of Arkansas (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of Arkansas covering filings from 1985 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 723449.3%90.9%9.1% Chapter 114910.3%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1319240.4%36.7%63.3% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Eastern District of Arkansas split 49% Chapter 7 and 40% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Eastern District of Arkansas is 37% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Eastern District of Arkansas: 91% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of Arkansas. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Arkansas (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of Arkansas - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of Arkansas Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of Arkansas Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Arkansas county. Law school clinics. Several Arkansas law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of Arkansas clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Western District of Missouri Eastern District of North Carolina Middle District of North Carolina District of New Jersey See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of California [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-california.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of California - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of California Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of California Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of California - the federal court covering California bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of California, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of California. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of California Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of California is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of California's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of California (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of California covering filings from 1998 through 2023. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 762580.6%98.3%1.7% Chapter 1130.4%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1314719.0%48.3%51.7% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Eastern District of California is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 81% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 19% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Eastern District of California is 48% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Eastern District of California: 98% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of California. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in California (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of California - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of California Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of California Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your California county. Law school clinics. Several California law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of California clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Middle District of Florida Northern District of Florida Southern District of Florida Northern District of Georgia See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Kentucky [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-kentucky.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of Kentucky - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of Kentucky Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Kentucky Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Kentucky - the federal court covering Kentucky bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of Kentucky, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of Kentucky. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of Kentucky Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of Kentucky is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of Kentucky's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of Kentucky (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of Kentucky covering filings from 1988 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 728925.0%97.8%1.1% Chapter 11786.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1379068.3%76.6%21.7% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Eastern District of Kentucky is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 68% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 25% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 completion in the Eastern District of Kentucky is strong: 77% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Eastern District of Kentucky: 98% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (78 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of Kentucky. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Kentucky (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of Kentucky - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of Kentucky Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of Kentucky Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Kentucky county. Law school clinics. Several Kentucky law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of Kentucky clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Arkansas Western District of Arkansas Central District of California Eastern District of California See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Michigan [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-michigan.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of Michigan - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of Michigan Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Michigan Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Michigan - the federal court covering Michigan bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of Michigan, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of Michigan. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of Michigan Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of Michigan is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of Michigan's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of Michigan (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of Michigan covering filings from 1979 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 761146.9%100.0%0.0% Chapter 1120816.0%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1348337.1%43.8%55.4% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Eastern District of Michigan split 47% Chapter 7 and 37% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Eastern District of Michigan is 44% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Eastern District of Michigan: 100% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (208 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of Michigan. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Michigan (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of Michigan - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of Michigan Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of Michigan Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Michigan county. Law school clinics. Several Michigan law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of Michigan clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of New Jersey District of Nevada Eastern District of New York Northern District of Ohio See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Missouri [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-missouri.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of Missouri - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of Missouri Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Missouri Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Missouri - the federal court covering Missouri bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of Missouri, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of Missouri. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of Missouri Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of Missouri is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of Missouri's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of Missouri (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of Missouri covering filings from 1986 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 71,69137.9%96.9%3.1% Chapter 11320.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 132,73961.4%25.9%74.1% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Eastern District of Missouri is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 61% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 38% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 completion in the Eastern District of Missouri is difficult: only 26% of resolved Chapter 13 cases reach discharge. Roughly two-thirds of Chapter 13 filers here pay filing fees, attorney fees, and months (or years) of plan payments - then dismiss without a discharge. That is an expensive outcome. Before choosing Chapter 13 in Missouri, weigh this completion rate against the certainty of Chapter 7 discharge for qualifying filers. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Eastern District of Missouri: 97% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of Missouri. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Missouri (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of Missouri - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of Missouri Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of Missouri Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Missouri county. Law school clinics. Several Missouri law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of Missouri clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of South Carolina Western District of Tennessee Northern District of Texas Southern District of Texas See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of New York [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-new-york.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of New York - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of New York Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of New York Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of New York - the federal court covering New York bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of New York, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of New York. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of New York Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of New York is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of New York's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of New York (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of New York covering filings from 1992 through 2020. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 71,01494.2%98.8%1.1% Chapter 1110.1%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 13615.7%24.6%75.4% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Eastern District of New York is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 94% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 6% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 completion in the Eastern District of New York is difficult: only 25% of resolved Chapter 13 cases reach discharge. Roughly two-thirds of Chapter 13 filers here pay filing fees, attorney fees, and months (or years) of plan payments - then dismiss without a discharge. That is an expensive outcome. Before choosing Chapter 13 in New York, weigh this completion rate against the certainty of Chapter 7 discharge for qualifying filers. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Eastern District of New York: 99% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of New York. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in New York (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of New York - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of New York Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of New York Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your New York county. Law school clinics. Several New York law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of New York clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of California Southern District of California District of Connecticut District of Delaware See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of North Carolina [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-north-carolina.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of North Carolina - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of North Carolina Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of North Carolina - the federal court covering North Carolina bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of North Carolina, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of North Carolina. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of North Carolina Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of North Carolina is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of North Carolina's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of North Carolina (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of North Carolina covering filings from 2004 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 718728.2%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1125538.5%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1322033.2%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Eastern District of North Carolina split 28% Chapter 7 and 33% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (255 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in North Carolina (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of North Carolina - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of North Carolina Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of North Carolina Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your North Carolina county. Law school clinics. Several North Carolina law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of North Carolina clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Michigan District of Minnesota Eastern District of Missouri Western District of Missouri See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-pennsylvania.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of Pennsylvania - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania - the federal court covering Pennsylvania bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of Pennsylvania's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania covering filings from 1990 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 741024.6%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 111589.5%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 131,09865.9%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Eastern District of Pennsylvania is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 66% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 25% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (158 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Pennsylvania (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of Pennsylvania - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Pennsylvania county. Law school clinics. Several Pennsylvania law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of Pennsylvania clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Michigan District of Minnesota Eastern District of Missouri Western District of Missouri See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Virginia [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-virginia.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of Virginia - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of Virginia Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Virginia Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Virginia - the federal court covering Virginia bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of Virginia, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of Virginia. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of Virginia Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of Virginia is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of Virginia's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of Virginia (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of Virginia covering filings from 1985 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 751240.6%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1120416.2%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1354643.3%73.7%26.3% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Eastern District of Virginia split 41% Chapter 7 and 43% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (204 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of Virginia. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Virginia (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of Virginia - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of Virginia Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of Virginia Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Virginia county. Law school clinics. Several Virginia law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of Virginia clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of New Jersey District of Nevada Eastern District of New York Northern District of Ohio See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Wisconsin [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/eastern-district-of-wisconsin.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Eastern District of Wisconsin - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Eastern District of Wisconsin Bankruptcy Cost in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Wisconsin - the federal court covering Wisconsin bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Eastern District of Wisconsin, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Eastern District of Wisconsin is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Eastern District of Wisconsin's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Eastern District of Wisconsin (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Eastern District of Wisconsin covering filings from 2000 through 2024. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 790362.1%99.4%0.5% Chapter 1120.1%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1354937.8%48.0%52.0% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Eastern District of Wisconsin is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 62% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 38% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Eastern District of Wisconsin is 48% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Eastern District of Wisconsin: 99% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Wisconsin (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Eastern District of Wisconsin - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Eastern District of Wisconsin Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Eastern District of Wisconsin Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Wisconsin county. Law school clinics. Several Wisconsin law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Eastern District of Wisconsin clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Southern District of Texas Eastern District of Virginia Middle District of Alabama Northern District of Alabama See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost by Federal District [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/ Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers bankruptcycost.org Federal bankruptcy district cost guides Bankruptcy Cost by Federal District Last updated: 2026-04-18 Filing fees are set nationally, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by federal bankruptcy district. These pages combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual FJC case counts and outcomes, plus market-typical attorney fee ranges for each district's legal market. Alabama Middle District of Alabama - 1,038 cases Northern District of Alabama - 839 cases Arkansas Eastern District of Arkansas - 475 cases Western District of Arkansas - 584 cases California Central District of California - 5,883 cases Eastern District of California - 775 cases Southern District of California - 70 cases Connecticut District of Connecticut - 114 cases Delaware District of Delaware - 26 cases Florida Middle District of Florida - 5,545 cases Northern District of Florida - 441 cases Southern District of Florida - 41,271 cases Georgia Northern District of Georgia - 1,701 cases Illinois Northern District of Illinois - 10,070 cases Indiana Northern District of Indiana - 1,485 cases Southern District of Indiana - 2,087 cases Kansas District of Kansas - 41,087 cases Kentucky Eastern District of Kentucky - 1,157 cases Western District of Kentucky - 615 cases Maryland District of Maryland - 842 cases Massachusetts District of Massachusetts - 1,375 cases Michigan Eastern District of Michigan - 1,302 cases Minnesota District of Minnesota - 395 cases Missouri Eastern District of Missouri - 4,462 cases Western District of Missouri - 41,513 cases Nevada District of Nevada - 316 cases New Jersey District of New Jersey - 1,633 cases New York Eastern District of New York - 1,076 cases North Carolina Eastern District of North Carolina - 662 cases Middle District of North Carolina - 439 cases Ohio Northern District of Ohio - 3,542 cases Southern District of Ohio - 578 cases Pennsylvania Eastern District of Pennsylvania - 1,666 cases South Carolina District of South Carolina - 772 cases Tennessee Western District of Tennessee - 1,939 cases Texas Northern District of Texas - 1,178 cases Southern District of Texas - 30,401 cases Virginia Eastern District of Virginia - 1,262 cases Wisconsin Eastern District of Wisconsin - 1,454 cases bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 Most-read OBP guides Brunner Test (§523(a)(8)) 3-prong analysis for discharging student loans Car Loan After Bankruptcy Buy a car and get financing post-discharge Student Loans in Bankruptcy Can you discharge them? 2026 guide Federal Exemptions §522(d) Complete list of federal exemptions Nondischargeable Debts List Debts that survive bankruptcy discharge --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Middle District of Alabama [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/middle-district-of-alabama.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Middle District of Alabama - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Middle District of Alabama Bankruptcy Cost in the Middle District of Alabama Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Middle District of Alabama - the federal court covering Alabama bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Middle District of Alabama, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Middle District of Alabama. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Middle District of Alabama Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Middle District of Alabama is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Middle District of Alabama's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Middle District of Alabama (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Middle District of Alabama covering filings from 1998 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 717016.4%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 11181.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1385081.9%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Middle District of Alabama is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 82% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 16% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Middle District of Alabama. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Alabama (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Middle District of Alabama - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Middle District of Alabama Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Middle District of Alabama Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Alabama county. Law school clinics. Several Alabama law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Middle District of Alabama clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Middle District of North Carolina District of New Jersey District of Nevada Eastern District of New York See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Middle District of Florida [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/middle-district-of-florida.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Middle District of Florida - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Middle District of Florida Bankruptcy Cost in the Middle District of Florida Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Middle District of Florida - the federal court covering Florida bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Middle District of Florida, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Middle District of Florida. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Middle District of Florida Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Middle District of Florida is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Middle District of Florida's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Middle District of Florida (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Middle District of Florida covering filings from 1986 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 73,25158.6%98.2%1.3% Chapter 111582.8%29.3%70.7% Chapter 132,13638.5%36.0%63.9% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Middle District of Florida is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 59% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 39% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Middle District of Florida is 36% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Middle District of Florida: 98% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (158 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Middle District of Florida. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Florida (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Middle District of Florida - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Middle District of Florida Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Middle District of Florida Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Florida county. Law school clinics. Several Florida law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Middle District of Florida clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Southern District of Ohio Eastern District of Pennsylvania District of South Carolina Western District of Tennessee See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Middle District of North Carolina [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/middle-district-of-north-carolina.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Middle District of North Carolina - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Middle District of North Carolina Bankruptcy Cost in the Middle District of North Carolina Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Middle District of North Carolina - the federal court covering North Carolina bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Middle District of North Carolina, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Middle District of North Carolina. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Middle District of North Carolina Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Middle District of North Carolina is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Middle District of North Carolina's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Middle District of North Carolina (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Middle District of North Carolina covering filings from 2003 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 78619.6%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 11194.3%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1333476.1%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Middle District of North Carolina is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 76% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 20% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Middle District of North Carolina. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in North Carolina (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Middle District of North Carolina - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Middle District of North Carolina Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Middle District of North Carolina Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your North Carolina county. Law school clinics. Several North Carolina law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Middle District of North Carolina clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Northern District of Ohio Southern District of Ohio Eastern District of Pennsylvania District of South Carolina See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Alabama [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/northern-district-of-alabama.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Northern District of Alabama - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Northern District of Alabama Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Alabama Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Northern District of Alabama - the federal court covering Alabama bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Northern District of Alabama, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Northern District of Alabama. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Northern District of Alabama Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Northern District of Alabama is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Northern District of Alabama's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Northern District of Alabama (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Northern District of Alabama covering filings from 1985 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 730836.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1111613.8%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1341549.5%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Northern District of Alabama split 37% Chapter 7 and 49% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (116 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Alabama. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Alabama (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Northern District of Alabama - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Northern District of Alabama Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Northern District of Alabama Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Alabama county. Law school clinics. Several Alabama law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Northern District of Alabama clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of New Jersey District of Nevada Eastern District of New York Northern District of Ohio See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Florida [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/northern-district-of-florida.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Northern District of Florida - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Northern District of Florida Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Florida Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Northern District of Florida - the federal court covering Florida bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Northern District of Florida, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Northern District of Florida. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Northern District of Florida Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Northern District of Florida is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Northern District of Florida's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Northern District of Florida (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Northern District of Florida covering filings from 1998 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 722049.9%99.1%0.9% Chapter 1181.8%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1321348.3%31.2%68.8% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Northern District of Florida split 50% Chapter 7 and 48% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 completion in the Northern District of Florida is difficult: only 31% of resolved Chapter 13 cases reach discharge. Roughly two-thirds of Chapter 13 filers here pay filing fees, attorney fees, and months (or years) of plan payments - then dismiss without a discharge. That is an expensive outcome. Before choosing Chapter 13 in Florida, weigh this completion rate against the certainty of Chapter 7 discharge for qualifying filers. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Northern District of Florida: 99% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Florida. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Florida (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Northern District of Florida - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Northern District of Florida Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Northern District of Florida Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Florida county. Law school clinics. Several Florida law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Northern District of Florida clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Pennsylvania District of South Carolina Western District of Tennessee Northern District of Texas See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Georgia [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/northern-district-of-georgia.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Northern District of Georgia - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Northern District of Georgia Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Georgia Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Northern District of Georgia - the federal court covering Georgia bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Northern District of Georgia, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Northern District of Georgia. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Northern District of Georgia Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Northern District of Georgia is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Northern District of Georgia's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Northern District of Georgia (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Northern District of Georgia covering filings from 1996 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 793855.1%98.8%0.6% Chapter 1156633.3%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1319711.6%56.7%43.3% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Northern District of Georgia is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 55% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 12% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 completion in the Northern District of Georgia is strong: 57% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Northern District of Georgia: 99% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (566 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Georgia. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Georgia (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Northern District of Georgia - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Northern District of Georgia Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Northern District of Georgia Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Georgia county. Law school clinics. Several Georgia law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Northern District of Georgia clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of Minnesota Eastern District of Missouri Western District of Missouri Eastern District of North Carolina See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Illinois [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/northern-district-of-illinois.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Northern District of Illinois - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Northern District of Illinois Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Illinois Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Northern District of Illinois - the federal court covering Illinois bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Northern District of Illinois, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Northern District of Illinois. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Northern District of Illinois Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Northern District of Illinois is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Northern District of Illinois's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Northern District of Illinois (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Northern District of Illinois covering filings from 1988 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 76,69666.5%99.5%0.4% Chapter 112902.9%0.0%100.0% Chapter 133,08430.6%45.1%54.6% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Northern District of Illinois is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 66% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 31% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Northern District of Illinois is 45% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Northern District of Illinois: 99% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (290 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Illinois. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Illinois (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Northern District of Illinois - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Northern District of Illinois Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Northern District of Illinois Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Illinois county. Law school clinics. Several Illinois law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Northern District of Illinois clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Northern District of Texas Southern District of Texas Eastern District of Virginia Eastern District of Wisconsin See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Indiana [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/northern-district-of-indiana.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Northern District of Indiana - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Northern District of Indiana Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Indiana Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Northern District of Indiana - the federal court covering Indiana bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Northern District of Indiana, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Northern District of Indiana. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Northern District of Indiana Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Northern District of Indiana is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Northern District of Indiana's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Northern District of Indiana (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Northern District of Indiana covering filings from 1991 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 730320.4%100.0%0.0% Chapter 11644.3%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 131,11875.3%64.6%35.2% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Northern District of Indiana is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 75% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 20% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 completion in the Northern District of Indiana is strong: 65% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Northern District of Indiana: 100% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (64 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Indiana. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Indiana (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Northern District of Indiana - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Northern District of Indiana Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Northern District of Indiana Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Indiana county. Law school clinics. Several Indiana law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Northern District of Indiana clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Virginia Eastern District of Wisconsin Middle District of Alabama Northern District of Alabama See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Ohio [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/northern-district-of-ohio.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Northern District of Ohio - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Northern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Ohio Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Northern District of Ohio - the federal court covering Ohio bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Northern District of Ohio, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Northern District of Ohio. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Northern District of Ohio Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Northern District of Ohio is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Northern District of Ohio's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Northern District of Ohio (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Northern District of Ohio covering filings from 1986 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 73,25091.8%97.7%1.8% Chapter 11190.5%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 132737.7%50.8%49.2% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Northern District of Ohio is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 92% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 8% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Northern District of Ohio is 51% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Northern District of Ohio: 98% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Ohio. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Ohio (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Northern District of Ohio - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Northern District of Ohio Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Northern District of Ohio Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Ohio county. Law school clinics. Several Ohio law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Northern District of Ohio clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Virginia Eastern District of Wisconsin Middle District of Alabama Northern District of Alabama See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Texas [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/northern-district-of-texas.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Northern District of Texas - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Cost in the Northern District of Texas Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Northern District of Texas - the federal court covering Texas bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Northern District of Texas, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Northern District of Texas. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Northern District of Texas Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Northern District of Texas is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Northern District of Texas's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Northern District of Texas (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Northern District of Texas covering filings from 1992 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 732027.2%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1156748.1%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1329124.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Northern District of Texas split 27% Chapter 7 and 25% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (567 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Northern District of Texas. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Texas (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Northern District of Texas - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Northern District of Texas Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Northern District of Texas Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Texas county. Law school clinics. Several Texas law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Northern District of Texas clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts District of Massachusetts District of Maryland Eastern District of Michigan District of Minnesota See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of California [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/southern-district-of-california.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Southern District of California - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Southern District of California Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of California Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Southern District of California - the federal court covering California bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Southern District of California, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Southern District of California. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Southern District of California Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Southern District of California is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Southern District of California's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Southern District of California (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Southern District of California covering filings from 1988 through 2024. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 74970.0%97.7%2.3% Chapter 1111.4%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 132028.6%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Southern District of California is a Chapter-7-heavy jurisdiction: 70% of consumer filings here are Chapter 7 liquidations versus 29% for Chapter 13 repayment plans. This matters for cost planning because Chapter 7 is the lower-total-cost path when you qualify - a single filing fee, a one-time attorney fee, and a 90-day case timeline versus three-to-five years of plan payments in Chapter 13. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Southern District of California. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in California (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Southern District of California - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Southern District of California Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Southern District of California Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your California county. Law school clinics. Several California law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Southern District of California clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Missouri Western District of Missouri Eastern District of North Carolina Middle District of North Carolina See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Florida [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/southern-district-of-florida.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Southern District of Florida - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Southern District of Florida Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Florida Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Southern District of Florida - the federal court covering Florida bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Southern District of Florida, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Southern District of Florida. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Southern District of Florida Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Southern District of Florida is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Southern District of Florida's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Southern District of Florida (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Southern District of Florida covering filings from 1980 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 720,91850.7%93.6%5.7% Chapter 111,0832.6%25.2%74.8% Chapter 1319,27046.7%53.0%46.9% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Southern District of Florida split 51% Chapter 7 and 47% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Southern District of Florida is 53% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Southern District of Florida: 94% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (1,083 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Southern District of Florida. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Florida (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Southern District of Florida - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Southern District of Florida Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Southern District of Florida Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Florida county. Law school clinics. Several Florida law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Southern District of Florida clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Virginia Eastern District of Wisconsin Middle District of Alabama Northern District of Alabama See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Indiana [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/southern-district-of-indiana.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Southern District of Indiana - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Southern District of Indiana Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Indiana Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Southern District of Indiana - the federal court covering Indiana bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Southern District of Indiana, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Southern District of Indiana. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Southern District of Indiana Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Southern District of Indiana is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Southern District of Indiana's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Southern District of Indiana (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Southern District of Indiana covering filings from 1985 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 748923.4%96.5%2.7% Chapter 111838.8%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 131,41567.8%74.2%24.8% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Southern District of Indiana is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 68% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 23% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 completion in the Southern District of Indiana is strong: 74% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Southern District of Indiana: 97% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (183 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Southern District of Indiana. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Indiana (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Southern District of Indiana - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Southern District of Indiana Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Southern District of Indiana Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Indiana county. Law school clinics. Several Indiana law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Southern District of Indiana clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Western District of Arkansas Central District of California Eastern District of California Southern District of California See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Ohio [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/southern-district-of-ohio.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Southern District of Ohio - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Southern District of Ohio Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Ohio Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Southern District of Ohio - the federal court covering Ohio bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Southern District of Ohio, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Southern District of Ohio. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Southern District of Ohio Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Southern District of Ohio is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Southern District of Ohio's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Southern District of Ohio (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Southern District of Ohio covering filings from 1991 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 728549.3%100.0%0.0% Chapter 1113022.5%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1316328.2%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Southern District of Ohio split 49% Chapter 7 and 28% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (130 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Southern District of Ohio. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Ohio (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Southern District of Ohio - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Southern District of Ohio Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Southern District of Ohio Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Ohio county. Law school clinics. Several Ohio law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Southern District of Ohio clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Western District of Arkansas Central District of California Eastern District of California Southern District of California See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Texas [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/southern-district-of-texas.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Southern District of Texas - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Cost in the Southern District of Texas Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Southern District of Texas - the federal court covering Texas bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Southern District of Texas, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Southern District of Texas. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Southern District of Texas Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Southern District of Texas is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Southern District of Texas's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Southern District of Texas (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Southern District of Texas covering filings from 1991 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 711,51037.9%97.9%2.0% Chapter 112500.8%6.8%93.2% Chapter 1318,64161.3%36.8%63.2% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Southern District of Texas is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 61% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 38% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 discharge rate in the Southern District of Texas is 37% on resolved cases - in the middle of the national distribution. Completion is plausible but not assured. Budget your plan payments with a realistic cushion. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Southern District of Texas: 98% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (250 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Southern District of Texas. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Texas (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Southern District of Texas - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Southern District of Texas Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Southern District of Texas Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Texas county. Law school clinics. Several Texas law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Southern District of Texas clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Western District of Missouri Eastern District of North Carolina Middle District of North Carolina District of New Jersey See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Arkansas [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/western-district-of-arkansas.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Western District of Arkansas - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Western District of Arkansas Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Arkansas Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Western District of Arkansas - the federal court covering Arkansas bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of rural/small-market markets. Quick answer: In the Western District of Arkansas, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,168 to $2,238 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $12,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Western District of Arkansas. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Western District of Arkansas Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Western District of Arkansas is a rural/small-market legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$800 - $1,800$1,168 - $2,238 Chapter 13$313$2,500 - $4,500$2,843 - $4,913 Chapter 11$1,738$8,000 - $30,000$9,768 - $31,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Western District of Arkansas's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In rural/small-market markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Western District of Arkansas (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Western District of Arkansas covering filings from 1985 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 722839.0%100.0%0.0% Chapter 11518.7%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1330552.2%65.1%34.9% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Western District of Arkansas split 39% Chapter 7 and 52% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 completion in the Western District of Arkansas is strong: 65% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Western District of Arkansas: 100% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (51 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Western District of Arkansas. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Arkansas (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Western District of Arkansas - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Western District of Arkansas Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Western District of Arkansas Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Arkansas county. Law school clinics. Several Arkansas law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Western District of Arkansas clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Central District of California Eastern District of California Southern District of California District of Connecticut See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Kentucky [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/western-district-of-kentucky.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Western District of Kentucky - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Western District of Kentucky Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Kentucky Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Western District of Kentucky - the federal court covering Kentucky bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Western District of Kentucky, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Western District of Kentucky. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Western District of Kentucky Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Western District of Kentucky is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Western District of Kentucky's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Western District of Kentucky (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Western District of Kentucky covering filings from 1992 through 2024. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 7294.7%96.3%3.7% Chapter 1120.3%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 1358495.0%67.8%32.2% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Western District of Kentucky is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 95% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 5% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 completion in the Western District of Kentucky is strong: 68% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Western District of Kentucky: 96% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Western District of Kentucky. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Kentucky (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Western District of Kentucky - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Western District of Kentucky Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Western District of Kentucky Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Kentucky county. Law school clinics. Several Kentucky law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Western District of Kentucky clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Eastern District of Michigan District of Minnesota Eastern District of Missouri Western District of Missouri See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Missouri [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/western-district-of-missouri.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Western District of Missouri - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Western District of Missouri Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Missouri Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Western District of Missouri - the federal court covering Missouri bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of mid-size metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Western District of Missouri, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,468 to $2,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $15,313 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Western District of Missouri. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Western District of Missouri Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Western District of Missouri is a mid-size metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,100 - $2,500$1,468 - $2,938 Chapter 13$313$3,000 - $5,000$3,343 - $5,413 Chapter 11$1,738$10,000 - $40,000$11,768 - $41,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Western District of Missouri's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In mid-size metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Western District of Missouri (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Western District of Missouri covering filings from 1984 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 720,44149.2%99.0%0.7% Chapter 111720.4%29.3%70.7% Chapter 1320,90050.3%56.3%43.5% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here Consumer filings in the Western District of Missouri split 49% Chapter 7 and 50% Chapter 13, close to the national mix. Filers here have meaningful choice between chapters and should compare total cost carefully. Chapter 13 completion in the Western District of Missouri is strong: 56% of resolved cases reach discharge - above the national norm. Plans that run to completion are the majority here, which meaningfully raises the cost-effectiveness of Chapter 13 as a repayment path. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Western District of Missouri: 99% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (172 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Western District of Missouri. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Missouri (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Western District of Missouri - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Western District of Missouri Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Western District of Missouri Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Missouri county. Law school clinics. Several Missouri law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Western District of Missouri clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Northern District of Georgia Northern District of Illinois Northern District of Indiana Southern District of Indiana See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5 --- ## Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Tennessee [2026] Source: https://bankruptcycost.org/districts/western-district-of-tennessee.html Skip to content Home| Filing Fees| Attorney Fees| Ch.7 Cost| Ch.13 Cost| Fee Waivers| By State bankruptcycost.org Western District of Tennessee - 2026 filing fees, attorney fees, and real case data Home » By District » Western District of Tennessee Bankruptcy Cost in the Western District of Tennessee Last updated: 2026-04-18 | Filing fees verified against current US Courts fee schedule. This page breaks down the real cost of filing bankruptcy in the Western District of Tennessee - the federal court covering Tennessee bankruptcy cases in this region. Filing fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are identical across all 94 federal bankruptcy districts, but attorney fees, case volumes, and dismissal rates vary meaningfully by district. The figures below combine the 2026 court fee schedule with actual case counts pulled from the Federal Judicial Center's Integrated Database for this district, plus market-rate attorney fee ranges typical of major metropolitan markets. Quick answer: In the Western District of Tennessee, expect total Chapter 7 costs of roughly $1,868 to $3,938 (filing fee + attorney fee + credit counseling). Chapter 13 filing fee is $313, but total case cost over a 3-5 year plan typically reaches $17,813 or more when plan payments and trustee commission are included. Federal Filing Fees (2026) - Same Nationwide Bankruptcy filing fees are set by the Judicial Conference of the United States and apply uniformly to every federal bankruptcy district, including the Western District of Tennessee. The 2026 amounts are: ChapterFiling FeeWho Files Chapter 7$338Individuals seeking liquidation Chapter 11$1,738Businesses and high-debt individuals Chapter 12$278Family farmers and fishermen Chapter 13$313Individuals with regular income These fees cover clerk services, case administration, and trustee appointment. They do not include attorney fees, credit counseling, or the cost of any required bankruptcy schedules. All four chapters allow installment payment of the filing fee (Form 103A); only Chapter 7 allows a complete fee waiver (Form 103B) for filers below 150% of the federal poverty line. Attorney Fee Ranges in the Western District of Tennessee Attorney fees are where district-level cost really diverges. The Western District of Tennessee is a major metropolitan legal market, which pushes Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 no-look fees into the following typical ranges: ChapterFiling FeeAttorney Fee RangeTotal Cost Range Chapter 7$338$1,500 - $3,500$1,868 - $3,938 Chapter 13$313$3,500 - $6,500$3,843 - $6,913 Chapter 11$1,738$15,000 - $60,000$16,768 - $61,838 Total includes credit counseling $30 - $100 for both required courses. Some bankruptcy courts publish "no-look fee" guidelines - a presumptive reasonable Chapter 13 attorney fee that the court will approve without requiring detailed fee applications. Check the Western District of Tennessee's local rules for the current no-look fee amount before signing a retainer. If your attorney's proposed fee exceeds the no-look amount, the attorney must file a fee application, and the court can reduce fees found to be unreasonable (11 U.S.C. section 329, 330). Fees in excess of the disclosed amount can also be disgorged. In major metropolitan markets, simple Chapter 7 cases with no adversary proceedings and routine exemption claims fall at the low end of the range. Cases with nondischargeability complaints, means-test contests, lien-strip motions, or multiple vehicles push toward the high end. Chapter 13 fees are higher because of the longer case timeline, the plan-confirmation process, and the ongoing trustee-compliance work over three to five years. Real Filing Volume in the Western District of Tennessee (FJC Data) The table below shows actual case counts and outcomes from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database for the Western District of Tennessee covering filings from 1995 through 2026. These are real resolved filings, not estimates. Comparing your chapter choice against the dismissal rates here can save you thousands of dollars in wasted fees on a case that never reaches discharge. ChapterCases FiledShare of FilingsDischarge RateDismissal Rate Chapter 756829.3%95.7%4.3% Chapter 111216.2%Insufficient dataInsufficient data Chapter 131,25064.5%17.3%82.7% Discharge and dismissal rates are computed on resolved cases only. Pending cases are excluded. Source: FJC Integrated Database (bankruptcy_master.db). What the Data Says About Filing Here The Western District of Tennessee is a Chapter-13-heavy jurisdiction: 64% of consumer filings are Chapter 13 repayment plans versus 29% Chapter 7. Some districts push debtors toward Chapter 13 through local practice norms, trustee policies, or attorney-fee incentives (Chapter 13 no-look fees paid through the plan are attractive to filers who cannot pay Chapter 7 fees up front). Filers here should run the total-cost math on both chapters before deciding - Chapter 13 attorney fees are paid through the plan but are almost always larger in total than Chapter 7 fees paid up front. Chapter 13 completion in the Western District of Tennessee is difficult: only 17% of resolved Chapter 13 cases reach discharge. Roughly two-thirds of Chapter 13 filers here pay filing fees, attorney fees, and months (or years) of plan payments - then dismiss without a discharge. That is an expensive outcome. Before choosing Chapter 13 in Tennessee, weigh this completion rate against the certainty of Chapter 7 discharge for qualifying filers. Chapter 7 is a high-reliability path in the Western District of Tennessee: 96% of resolved Chapter 7 cases reach discharge. For filers who pass the means test, the Chapter 7 filing fee and attorney fee are near-certain to buy an actual discharge rather than a dismissal. The district also handles a meaningful Chapter 11 docket (121 cases in the sample), including individual Chapter 11 and Subchapter V small-business cases. Chapter 11 costs are an order of magnitude higher than consumer chapters - the filing fee alone is $1,738, and attorney fees typically start at five figures. Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Total Cost Math The sticker price of Chapter 13 looks lower than Chapter 7 because the filing fee is $25 less. That comparison is misleading. Chapter 13 is a three-to-five-year repayment plan, and the total cost of a Chapter 13 case - filing fee plus attorney fee plus plan payments plus trustee commission - is almost always larger than Chapter 7. Here is the math for a typical mid-range Chapter 13 case in the Western District of Tennessee. Assume a filing fee of $313, an attorney fee paid through the plan of $4,500 (mid-market), and a 60-month plan with monthly payments of $400. The debtor pays the filing fee up front, then pays $400 per month for 60 months = $24,000 total into the plan. The trustee takes a 10% commission ($2,400). The attorney fee of $4,500 is paid from plan payments. After the trustee commission, roughly $17,100 flows to creditors. The debtor's total out-of-pocket across the case: filing fee + 60 payments = $313 + $24,000 = $24,313. Compare that to Chapter 7 at the same market rate: $338 filing fee + $1,800 attorney fee + $60 counseling = $2,198 total, paid once. For a qualifying filer, Chapter 7 is roughly 1/10 the total cost. Chapter 13 is still the right chapter for filers who (a) fail the means test, (b) need to cure mortgage arrears to save a home, or (c) have nondischargeable priority tax debt to pay over time. But the cost comparison should drive the decision, not the $25 filing-fee gap. Chapter 7 Fee Waiver in Tennessee (Form 103B) The $338 Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived entirely if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. The waiver is available only in Chapter 7 - not Chapter 11, 12, or 13 - because those chapters contemplate ongoing payments. File Form 103B with your petition. Household Size150% Poverty (Annual)Monthly Equivalent 1 person$22,590$1,882 2 persons$30,660$2,555 3 persons$38,730$3,228 4 persons$46,800$3,900 5 persons$54,870$4,572 6 persons$62,940$5,245 If you are above 150% of poverty but cannot pay the filing fee in a lump sum, use Form 103A to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. You cannot pay an attorney while paying the filing fee in installments. Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Every consumer bankruptcy filer - in every district, including the Western District of Tennessee - must complete two credit courses: a pre-filing credit counseling briefing (within 180 days before filing) and a post-filing debtor education course (before discharge). Both courses are provided by DOJ-approved nonprofit agencies, typically online. Fees run $30 to $100 per course and can be waived for low-income filers. The DOJ publishes a list of approved providers; compare prices and hardship-waiver policies before enrolling. Hidden Costs Specific to the Western District of Tennessee Beyond filing fees, attorney fees, and counseling, several costs frequently surprise first-time filers here: Amendment fees. Amending schedules after filing often carries a fee (around $34). If you forget a creditor or misstate an asset, the fix costs money. Reaffirmation hearings. If you reaffirm a vehicle loan or mortgage in Chapter 7, you may need to attend a reaffirmation hearing. Attorneys sometimes charge extra for this. 341 meeting travel. The 341 meeting of creditors is held in person in many districts. If you live far from the meeting location, factor in travel time and cost. Trustee fees in Chapter 13. Chapter 13 trustees take a commission (typically 4-10%) on every dollar that flows through the plan. A $24,000 plan can carry $1,500-$2,400 in trustee commissions. Lien-strip and valuation motions. If you need to strip a wholly-unsecured junior mortgage or a lien on a vehicle, your attorney may charge separately for the motion and any required valuation evidence. A good attorney will quote these as part of the retainer rather than billing them a-la-carte after filing. Ask about them up front. Free and Low-Cost Options in the Western District of Tennessee Several pathways exist for filers who cannot afford standard retainer fees in this district: Legal Services Corporation legal aid. Search LawHelp.org by state and filter to bankruptcy. LSC-funded legal aid offices represent qualifying low-income filers at no cost. Local bar association pro bono panels. Many county bar associations maintain panels of private attorneys who accept bankruptcy cases at no charge. Call the local bar in your Tennessee county. Law school clinics. Several Tennessee law schools operate supervised bankruptcy clinics. Work is handled by law students under faculty supervision, and the service is free. Pro se filing. For simple Chapter 7 cases with no real estate, few assets, and no adversary proceedings, pro se filing is viable. The Western District of Tennessee clerk's office publishes pro se filing packets. Pro se Chapter 13 is strongly discouraged - dismissal rates run much higher than for represented cases. More Cost Breakdowns Chapter 7 Cost (full breakdown) Chapter 13 Cost (full breakdown) Attorney Fees: What You Actually Pay Hidden Costs of Filing The Cost of NOT Filing Fee Waivers (Form 103B) Installment Payments (Form 103A) Other Federal Bankruptcy Districts Western District of Kentucky District of Massachusetts District of Maryland Eastern District of Michigan See all districts with published cost data → bankruptcycost.org - Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project Home Filing Fees Attorney Fees Fee Waivers Hidden Costs This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by using this site. Figures reflect 2026 fee schedules and FJC data as of the page's last-updated date. Consult a licensed attorney in your district for advice about your specific situation. Our research was cited by the federal judiciary as Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5