Bankruptcy Costs
How Much Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost?
Most consumer bankruptcies cost $1,200 to $5,500 in attorney fees — almost always quoted as a flat fee — plus court filing fees of $338 (Chapter 7) or $313 (Chapter 13). Many Chapter 13 firms file for $0 down with the fee paid through the plan. Beware unusually low fees: a $499 Chapter 7 is almost certainly a high-volume mill that won't return your calls.
The Short Answer
Chapter 7 (consumer): $1,200–$3,500 flat + $338 court fee. Chapter 13 (consumer): $3,500–$5,500 flat + $313 court fee, often $0-down with fee paid through the plan. Chapter 11 (small business): $10,000–$50,000 retainer, hourly thereafter ($350–$650/hr). Court fees + credit-counseling course ($25–$50) + financial-management course ($25–$50) round out the consumer total.
How we wrote this: Our editorial team reviewed published rates, court rules, statutes, peer publications, and our own data from working with vetted firms. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored content. More on our methodology →
Chapter 7 (consumer liquidation)
Most consumer Chapter 7 cases run $1,200 to $3,500 in attorney fees, almost always quoted as a flat fee. The fee covers everything from initial consultation through discharge: schedules, the petition, the means test, the 341 meeting of creditors, and any routine objections.
Plus the $338 court filing fee (set by federal rule).
Plus the credit-counseling course before filing ($25 to $50) and the financial-management course before discharge ($25 to $50).
Plus credit-report costs (~$30) and the trustee's mailing costs (sometimes passed through, $50 to $100).
Total all-in for a typical consumer Chapter 7: $1,500 to $4,000.
Most firms accept payment plans — typically 25% to 50% down with the remainder paid before filing. The fee must be paid in full before filing in Chapter 7 (because the fee itself becomes a discharged debt if filed unpaid).
Chapter 13 (reorganization)
Consumer Chapter 13 fees run $3,500 to $5,500 in most jurisdictions. The fee is paid through the 3- to 5-year repayment plan, not all up front.
Many Chapter 13 firms file for $0 down — the entire fee is paid through the plan, with the trustee distributing to the lawyer monthly along with creditor payments.
Plus the $313 court filing fee.
Plus credit-counseling and financial-management courses ($25 to $100 total).
Plus the trustee's commission — typically 5% to 10% of plan payments — paid by the debtor through the plan and required by statute.
Total all-in for a typical Chapter 13: roughly $4,000 to $6,500 in attorney/filing fees, plus the trustee commission paid through the plan.
Chapter 11 (small business or high-asset individual)
Chapter 11 fees are not flat — billing is hourly throughout, with a substantial retainer.
Retainers: $10,000 to $50,000+ depending on case complexity.
Hourly rates: $350 to $650 for partners; $200 to $400 for associates.
Total fees: typically $25,000 to $250,000+ over the life of a small-business Chapter 11. Larger Chapter 11 cases routinely run into the millions.
Subchapter V (small-business Chapter 11) was created in 2020 specifically to lower these costs for businesses under $7.5M in debt. Subchapter V cases typically run $20,000 to $60,000 in attorney fees — meaningfully cheaper than traditional Chapter 11.
Plus the U.S. Trustee quarterly fees (varies; typically $250 to $250,000 per quarter based on disbursements).
Why low fees can cost more
A $499 Chapter 7 is almost always a high-volume mill where your case is handled by paralegals, you never speak to the attorney except at the 341 meeting (and sometimes not even then), and any unusual issue (a transfer the trustee questions, a non-exempt asset, a debt-to-income surprise) gets handled badly or not at all.
The result: case dismissed, denied discharge, or worse — your bankruptcy court file gets adverse findings that can affect future credit and even employment.
$1,500 to $3,000 for a Chapter 7 is the realistic floor for a competent practitioner who actually does the work.
Watch for: "Filing fees not included." Some mills quote a low attorney fee but tack on $338 separately, plus other ad-hoc charges. Get the all-in number in writing.
Watch for: "Reaffirmation agreements not included." If you want to keep a financed car or house, reaffirmation paperwork is part of the case — it should be included in the flat fee.
What's included in a typical flat fee
Initial consultation (usually free).
Drafting the petition, schedules, statement of financial affairs, and means test.
Filing the petition with the court.
Representing you at the 341 meeting of creditors.
Routine objections, amendments, and trustee correspondence.
Reaffirmation agreements (in Chapter 7).
Discharge order and case closing.
What's typically NOT included (charged extra):
Adversary proceedings (trustee or creditor lawsuits — typically $2,500 to $10,000+).
Motions to lift the automatic stay (usually defended for $1,000 to $2,500 each).
Lien-strip motions in Chapter 13 (typically $500 to $2,500 each).
Conversion from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 (often $500 to $1,500).
Discharge violations (motions for sanctions against creditors who keep collecting). Often free if successful — your attorney recovers fees from the creditor.
Hidden costs people forget
Court filing fee: $338 (Chapter 7) or $313 (Chapter 13). Federal rule.
Pre-filing credit counseling: $25 to $50.
Pre-discharge financial management course: $25 to $50.
Credit report (often required by the trustee): $30 to $50.
Trustee mailing fee: $50 to $100 (sometimes passed through).
Trustee commission (Chapter 13): 5% to 10% of plan payments.
Domain administration fees: $1.25 per case (small).
Adversary proceedings (rare in consumer cases): variable.
Lost income from time off work for the 341 meeting: variable.
Need a vetted bankruptcy lawyer?
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with two or three vetted attorneys within 24 hours. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Quick lead form — free attorney match
Fill this out and we will match you with two or three vetted firms within 24 hours. No fee. No obligation. Privacy policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer?
Pro se filings are allowed but rarely advisable. Trustees scrutinize pro se filers harder. The exemption-system choice alone has thousands of dollars at stake. The cost of doing it wrong far exceeds the lawyer's fee.
Will the bankruptcy fee be discharged?
Pre-filing fees you owe your bankruptcy lawyer are not dischargeable in Chapter 7 — that's why fees must be paid up front. In Chapter 13, the fee can be paid through the plan as an administrative expense.
Can I pay the fee on a credit card?
Yes, but you cannot run up new debt with intent to discharge it. Paying $1,500 in attorney fees on a credit card you've used normally is fine; charging $5,000 expecting it to be discharged is potential fraud.
Are pro bono bankruptcy lawyers available?
Yes — many bar associations run consumer bankruptcy clinics, and federal courts maintain pro bono panels. If your income is below 125% of the federal poverty line, you likely qualify. Court filing fees can also be waived by application.
What about the bankruptcy trustee?
The trustee is an officer of the court — not your lawyer. In Chapter 7, the trustee's job is to find any non-exempt assets to liquidate (rare in most consumer cases). In Chapter 13, the trustee receives plan payments and distributes to creditors. Trustees are not adverse to you, but they aren't on your side either — that's your attorney's role.
Will the fee for a small-business Chapter 11 destroy my company?
Possibly. Subchapter V (under $7.5M in debt) was created specifically to lower these costs. Many small businesses that consider Chapter 11 are better off with an out-of-court workout, an Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors, or a structured wind-down.
Related reading
One last thing. This article is general information, not legal advice. Every situation is different. The free consultation is the right next step. — The LawFirmSquare team