Summary: Filing bankruptcy costs three things: the court filing fee, attorney fees, and two required counseling courses. The court fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, set nationally by the US Courts. Attorney fees typically run $1,500 to $4,000 for Chapter 7 and $3,000 to $5,000 for Chapter 13, often paid through the repayment plan in Chapter 13. Credit counseling and debtor education cost about $25 to $50 each. Chapter 7 cases usually discharge in 3 to 6 months; Chapter 13 plans run 3 to 5 years, with the trustee taking up to 10 percent of plan payments as a fee.
What you actually pay to file bankruptcy
Bankruptcy has a reputation for being free money advice, but filing costs real money, which is painful when you are already broke. The costs come in three buckets. Court fees are fixed nationally: $338 to file Chapter 7 ($245 filing fee + $78 administrative fee + $15 trustee surcharge) and $313 for Chapter 13 ($235 + $78). These change only when Congress or the Judicial Conference acts.
Attorney fees are the big variable. Chapter 7 cases typically cost $1,500 to $4,000 in attorney fees, with national surveys clustering around $1,500 to $2,500 for routine cases. Chapter 13 fees run $3,000 to $5,000, but many courts set no-look fee caps, amounts the court approves without detailed review, which standardizes pricing locally. In Chapter 13, most of the attorney fee is paid through the plan over 3 to 5 years, so the upfront cost can be under $1,000.
Counseling courses are mandatory: pre-filing credit counseling and pre-discharge debtor education, each from an approved provider, typically $25 to $50 per course. Some providers waive fees for low-income filers. Beyond these three buckets, Chapter 13 adds the trustee's fee, up to 10 percent of plan payments, which comes out of what creditors receive rather than your pocket directly.
If you genuinely cannot afford the filing fee, the court can waive it (Chapter 7, income under 150 percent of poverty guidelines) or let you pay in installments. Many attorneys also offer payment plans for Chapter 7, though the full fee is usually due before filing because the filing itself can discharge unpaid attorney debt.
Worked example
Chapter 7, routine case: attorney fee $2,000 + filing fee $338 + counseling and education $75 = $2,413 total, usually due before filing. Discharge in 3 to 6 months.
Chapter 13, wage-earner plan: attorney fee $4,000 (mostly paid through the plan) + filing fee $313 + courses $75 = $4,388 total, but only about $500 to $1,000 due upfront. The 5-year plan pays creditors monthly; the trustee's fee (up to 10 percent of payments) comes from plan funds.
Chapter 7 with fee waiver: income-qualifying filer gets the $338 waived, finds a legal-aid attorney at reduced fee $750, courses waived by provider = $750 total. Fee waivers exist precisely for this situation; ask the clerk for the application.
Bankruptcy costs by chapter, 2026
National court fees plus typical ranges. Attorney fees vary by market. <a href="bankruptcycost.csv" download>Download this table as CSV</a>.
| Cost item | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $338 | $313 | Set nationally by the US Courts |
| Attorney fee (typical) | $1,500-$4,000 | $3,000-$5,000 | Many courts set no-look caps for Ch. 13 |
| Credit counseling | $25-$50 | $25-$50 | Pre-filing; waivers available |
| Debtor education | $25-$50 | $25-$50 | Pre-discharge; waivers available |
| Trustee fee | n/a | Up to 10% of plan payments | Comes from plan funds |
| Typical total | $2,000-$4,500 | $3,500-$5,500 | Ch. 13 mostly paid through the plan |
| Time to discharge | 3-6 months | 3-5 years | Plan completion required for Ch. 13 |
Bankruptcy cost guides
- How Much Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cost?: every line item, and how to pay less
- Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Cost Comparison: total dollars, timing, and who qualifies
- Filing Bankruptcy With No Money: Fee Waivers and Free Help: waivers, installments, and pro bono paths
- What Bankruptcy Wipes Out (and What It Does Not): dischargeable vs non-dischargeable debts
- Bankruptcy and Your Credit: The Recovery Timeline: how long it hurts and how to rebuild
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Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy?
Typically $2,000 to $4,500 total: a $338 court filing fee, $1,500 to $4,000 in attorney fees, and about $50 to $100 for the two required counseling courses. Fee waivers and installments are available for qualifying filers.
How much does Chapter 13 bankruptcy cost?
Typically $3,500 to $5,500 total: a $313 filing fee, $3,000 to $5,000 in attorney fees (mostly paid through the 3-to-5-year plan), plus counseling courses. Upfront cost is often under $1,000.
Can the filing fee be waived?
In Chapter 7, yes, if your income is under 150 percent of the poverty guidelines and you cannot pay in installments. Installment payments are available more broadly. Ask the clerk for the application forms.
Which is cheaper, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13?
Chapter 7 costs less in total dollars and finishes in months, but it requires passing the means test and may require selling non-exempt assets. Chapter 13 costs more but lets you keep property and catch up on secured debts.
Data current as of October 2026. Sources: US Courts bankruptcy fee schedule; national consumer bankruptcy attorney fee surveys. This tool gives planning estimates only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your state.