How much does chapter 7 bankruptcy cost?

The cost of Chapter 7 bankruptcy, in terms of the attorney fees and the credit counseling fee, varies widely across the country depending on your particular market. A straightforward, no-asset Chapter 7 for an individual could range from hundreds to several thousands of dollars depending on how much work your case requires and what the typical market costs are in your area. No matter where you live, the federal cost of filing the case is the same at $299.

The court has a filing fee of $299.00. You are required to take two classes to file and to be discharged. The cost varies, but ranges from $40.00 to $60.00 per class. My office also orders a credit report to ensure we list all of your debts. There is a fee for this. Above the costs, you attorney will charge based on their time and the complexity of your case. Not all cases are the same. Attorney's fees set by the specific the attorney and are in addition to the fees above. Although attorney's fees are often billed by the hour, in a consumer Chapter 7 the attorney will often quote a "flat fee". This does not mean that the attorney does not spend a considerable amount of time preparing your case, but the attorney will make an estimate concerning how much time your case will take. My office will still track the time we spend on your case. My office changes fees in a range from $900 to $1200 for a relatively straight forward Chapter 7. If it is very complex, it could be more. When you meet with your attorney, your fees will be explained. The initial meeting with your attorney is usually free or at a very modest cost. When you discuss bankruptcy with an attorney, he or she will need to know how much you earned last year and your present income, a list of your debts and if they are secured and a list of your property; i.e. cars, boats, homes and other items that have value. It is important to work with an attorney who can explain the steps and can help you make decisions regarding when and if you need to file bankruptcy. Each case is unique which is why your attorney's fees may differ from someone else's case. Good luck.

The answer to your question depends largely on the complexity of your case, your particular locale, the amount of experience of the practitioner, the volume of cases undertaken by the firm, the structuring of fees (hourly versus flat fee), and whether you are bundling services. I have see attorneys charge anywhere between $395 plus the filing fee and thousands of dollars for a business owner with complex supplier arrangements. In the grand scheme of things, bankruptcy is a relatively inexpensive legal cost. So the most important thing is finding a lawyer with whom you are comfortable and who concentrates the majority of his or her practice on bankruptcy and debt relief. Saving a couple of hundred dollars in fees could result in the loss of thousands of dollars in assets, if the attorney you pick is inexperienced or not qualified to practice in this area.

In the Southern District of California, the court filing fee is $299. Attorney fees vary. A personable, small office may offer lower rates than a mill-type (think Pink Floyd's The Wall, but without the cool music) set-up with large overhead.

The court charges $299.00 for the filing fee. Individual rates vary among attorneys for their services. If you are looking for an attorney and are in my area, please contact me for a free consultation.

Applies to Bankruptcy Longmont, Colorado: The average cost of a chapter 7 Bankruptcy attorney is approx. $1500 ($1200 attorney fee, plus $299 filing fee). In easier cases, attorney fees may be reduced to around $800 and in more complex cases, such as business related cases or cases with means test problems, attorney fees can start around $2000.

Like any legal case, it depends on your own case. It depends on the type of debts you have, whether or not you are self employed or have a business, whether or not you have real property, your income, car and other secured debt, etc. Usually attorneys' fees start at $1,000. There is a $299 court filing fee and most attorneys will get a credit report that will cost $25 and up.