Bankruptcy Cost at a Glance
| Cost item | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $338 | $313 |
| Required courses | Two approved-provider courses; pricing varies | Two approved-provider courses; pricing varies |
| Attorney-fee structure | Flat written quote after consultation | Flat written quote after consultation; approval and plan treatment can involve the court |
| Typical case duration | Often measured in months | Typically three to five years |
| Possible additional costs | Case-specific third-party, court, or litigation costs may apply | Case-specific third-party, court, or litigation costs may apply |
What Makes Up the Cost of Bankruptcy?
Bankruptcy costs can include court filing fees, attorney fees, required credit counseling, and debtor education. More complex cases can also involve additional court, third-party, or litigation-related costs. A written quote helps separate the attorney’s agreed scope from outside costs.
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Costs
Chapter 7 fees are generally more straightforward and are often paid before filing. Chapter 13 attorney compensation may be structured differently and can involve plan payments, subject to applicable court rules and approval. The right approach depends on the facts of the case and the chapter being considered.
Is Bankruptcy Worth the Cost?
The right question is not only what filing costs today, but how those costs compare with ongoing financial pressure. A consultation can help you evaluate wage garnishment, repossession, foreclosure risk, lawsuits, and high-interest debt without promising a particular result.
Federal Court Filing Fees
As of July 2026, the federal court filing fee is $338 for a Chapter 7 petition and $313 for a Chapter 13 petition. A joint petition filed by spouses is one case, so the filing fee is not doubled merely because both spouses file together. Courts can change the fee schedule, so the current schedule should be verified before filing.
Required Credit Counseling and Debtor Education
Bankruptcy generally requires two courses from approved providers: credit counseling before filing and debtor education before discharge. Provider pricing varies, so there is no reliable universal course total to quote. These are third-party course fees, not part of the attorney fee.
What Affects a Chapter 7 Attorney Fee
Chapter 7 work can change with business ownership, prior cases, nonexempt assets, recent transfers, tax debt, pending claims, creditor litigation, incomplete records, and other complexity. Stewart Law provides a flat written quote after the consultation rather than using an invented one-size-fits-all range.
What Affects a Chapter 13 Attorney Fee
A Chapter 13 case can involve plan preparation and administration, mortgage arrears, secured claims, tax claims, objections, modifications, and the duration of the case. Fee approval and payment treatment can involve the court and the plan. Stewart Law explains the applicable scope and timing after reviewing the case.
Filing-Fee Installments and Chapter 7 Fee Waiver
An individual debtor may request installment payments, subject to court approval. A Chapter 7 filing-fee waiver may be available only when statutory income and inability-to-pay requirements are met. Chapter 13 does not use the same waiver procedure. Neither installment nor waiver approval is promised.
Attorney Fee vs. Outside Costs
The Stewart Law flat fee is separate from court fees, course fees, credit reports, appraisals, amendments, litigation, and other third-party or court costs. Not every case incurs every item. The written quote identifies the agreed attorney scope and expected outside costs separately.
What the Quoted Scope Includes
The agreed scope may include preparation, filing, ordinary case guidance, the 341 meeting, phone calls, emails, and questions within that scope. Adversary proceedings, contested litigation, appeals, and unanticipated work must be addressed by the written engagement terms.
Why the Lowest Advertised Price May Not Be the Final Price
An advertised starting price may not reveal the included scope, lawyer access, add-ons, omitted services, or case complexity. Before comparing numbers, compare what is included and how changes to the case will be handled.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer
Ask what is included, what is separate, who handles the case, whether 341 representation is included, how amendments or contested matters are handled, and when payment is due. Clear answers help you compare scope rather than a headline number.