For many people, the cost of filing bankruptcy feels like a catch-22. If money weren’t tight, you wouldn’t be considering it in the first place. But knowing what to realistically expect — and what the range looks like — helps you figure out whether this option is actually within reach.
Bankruptcy costs fall into three main categories: court filing fees (set by federal law), attorney fees (which vary), and required credit counseling courses. Here’s how each works.
Court filing fees
The court filing fee is the one cost that’s fixed by federal law — it’s the same regardless of where you live or which attorney you use.
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
These fees are paid when you submit your bankruptcy petition. They cover the court’s administrative costs and trustee fees.
If paying the fee upfront is a hardship, the court allows Chapter 7 filers to pay in up to four installments over 120 days. And if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty level, you may qualify to have the Chapter 7 filing fee waived entirely — you’d submit a separate application with your petition and the court decides. Chapter 13 fees cannot be waived, though they can be paid in installments.
Attorney fees
Attorney fees are where the range widens. For Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13, the complexity and time commitment are quite different, and fees reflect that.
Chapter 7 attorney fees typically run $1,000 to $3,500, depending on:
- Your location (attorneys in higher cost-of-living areas charge more)
- The complexity of your case — straightforward wage earner with credit card debt vs. someone with assets, business interests, or multiple income streams
- The specific attorney and their pricing model
Chapter 13 attorney fees are generally higher — often $3,000 to $6,000 or more. Chapter 13 involves a 3–5 year repayment plan, and your attorney prepares a detailed income-and-expense analysis, negotiates your repayment schedule, and stays involved throughout the case. In Chapter 13, attorney fees are often paid through the plan, meaning part of your monthly payment goes toward the attorney’s fee over time rather than all at once upfront.
Some people attempt to file without an attorney (“pro se”). It’s allowed, but the paperwork is detailed and errors can result in dismissal. Most people benefit meaningfully from having an attorney guide the process — especially for Chapter 13.
Required counseling and education fees
Federal law requires two short courses as part of the bankruptcy process, regardless of which chapter you file under:
- Pre-filing credit counseling — taken before you file, from a court-approved agency. Cost: typically $10–$50. Waivers are available for low-income filers.
- Debtor education course — taken after filing, before your case closes. Also from an approved provider. Cost: typically $10–$50.
Both courses are available online and take about an hour each. Approved agencies are required to offer reduced fees or waivers if cost is a genuine barrier.
What the total typically looks like
Here’s a rough range combining all three cost categories:
| Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | $338 | $313 |
| Attorney fees | $1,000–$3,500 | $3,000–$6,000+ |
| Credit counseling | $20–$100 | $20–$100 |
| Estimated total | $1,400–$4,000 | $3,350–$6,500+ |
These are ranges, not quotes. Your actual cost depends on your location, the attorney you work with, and the specifics of your situation. Some cases fall outside these ranges in either direction.
What affects the cost most
The biggest variable is attorney fees, and those are shaped primarily by case complexity. A straightforward Chapter 7 case — a single earner, mostly credit card and medical debt, no significant assets — is on the lower end. More complex situations drive costs up:
- Owning a home or other real property
- Having non-exempt assets the trustee might review
- Running a business or having irregular income
- Previous bankruptcy filings
- Judgments or lawsuits in play
If you’re trying to understand whether bankruptcy is even the right option, it’s worth knowing the cost landscape before you sit down with an attorney — so you can ask informed questions about fees from the start.
Getting ready to talk to an attorney
Most bankruptcy attorneys offer free or low-cost initial consultations. Knowing the rough cost ranges before that conversation lets you ask better questions — specifically about what the fee would be for your situation and what’s included.
What to expect at your first bankruptcy attorney consultation walks through how to prepare for that meeting, what to bring, and what attorneys typically look at when assessing a case.
The more organized you are going in, the more useful that conversation tends to be — and the less time (and therefore money) it takes the attorney to assess your situation. NorthKey is designed to help you build that picture before you meet with a professional: your documents in order, your numbers understood, and your questions ready.