How Much Does A Bankruptcy Attorney Cost?

When filing for bankruptcy some of the biggest concerns people have is about how much the process will cost them. After already suffering from overwhelming debt burdens, the last thing anyone feels they can afford is a high priced attorney. Although there are some attorneys that may charge high fees, many are in the business to help people get out of debt in a way they can afford.

The Fees

The bankruptcy court charges certain fees for filing the case and these filing fees can vary by state. In general, the filing fee for a Chapter 7 case is $335 and the cost for a Chapter 13 case is $310. These fees must be paid along with the petition at the initial filing of the case. Filing fees are required in order to proceed with the case, but the court may grant a fee waiver in some Chapter 7 cases if the debtor cannot afford the fee.

Bankruptcy attorneys also charge fees for their services during the bankruptcy process, but their fees are paid much differently than the court fees. Generally, a bankruptcy attorney will charge anywhere between $1,500 and $4,000 for their services. However, these fees are rarely required up front and usually rolled into the bankruptcy case itself. For example, in a Chapter 13 case the attorney fees are rolled into the payment plan developed by the court, which means they get paid along with the creditors through the monthly payments made by the debtor. In most cases, bankruptcy attorneys offer flexible payment plans and provide services in such a way as to not further burden their client with financial worries.