The cost to file bankruptcy depends on the complexity of your facts.
There are three different components to the cost to file bankruptcy: the court filing fees, the pre-filing counseling fee, and the attorney fees.
Court fees
Chapter 7 debtors pay the court $306 in fees (payable in installments)
Chapter 13 debtors pay the court $281 in fees (payable in installments)
Pre-filing Counseling
The bankruptcy court mandates that debtors undergo pre-filing counseling. My vendor charges $30 for this course.
Attorney Fee
The fee you pay me to represent you depends on a number of factors including but not limited to: the nature and complexity of your case, the risk I see in representing you, the number of creditors you have, whether you have existing and/or pending judgments, garnishments, repossessions and foreclosures, and what we plan to do with your property.
In Chapter 7 cases, I collect my fee in its entirety before I file your case. You will know the cost to file bankruptcy before you decide if you’re doing it. In Chapter 13 cases, I collect some of my fee prior to filing, and the rest through your Chapter 13 plan payments.
In most cases, I work on a flat fee. That means that I determine how much your case will cost at our consultation and that fee does not change. Your cost to file bankruptcy is fixed.
When you hire me, you get my experience and reputation with the court. You also get access to me day and night, by phone, email, whatever you need to feel assured that your case is going the direction we intend. I believe that an educated and informed client is a better client, and that it is my job to make sure that you understand the process and outcomes. I will be able to tell you what the cost to file bankruptcy is for your case at the conclusion of your consultation with me.
