How Much Does It Cost to File Bankruptcy? (Price Guide)

Bankruptcy has two kinds of cost. The court filing fee is fixed by chapter and printed on every bankruptcy court's fee schedule. Attorney fees are set by each lawyer, and they are usually the larger part of the bill.

The court fees on this page come from the fee schedule published by the US Bankruptcy Court M.D. Florida, checked on Oct 11, 2026. Federal bankruptcy filing fees are set nationally, so other districts should list the same amounts, but confirm with your local bankruptcy court before you file. This page lists fees; consult a licensed bankruptcy attorney for advice about your situation.

Most individuals file under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Chapter 7 is a liquidation case that usually ends within months. Chapter 13 sets up a repayment plan that lasts several years, which is one reason attorneys charge more for it.

Chapter 7 costs $338 to file, and Chapter 13 costs $313. Each total combines a filing fee with an administrative fee, and the Chapter 7 total also includes a trustee surcharge. Chapter 11, used mostly by businesses, costs $1,738. Chapter 12 is limited to family farmers and family fishermen and costs $278.

The attorney figures below are estimates published by MoneyLion. Lawyers price cases differently, and many quote a flat fee after a first consultation.

Chapter 13 attorney fees run higher because the lawyer stays involved for the length of the repayment plan. In many Chapter 13 cases, part of the attorney fee may be paid through the plan rather than all up front. Ask any attorney you speak with how the fee is structured and what it covers.

MoneyLion adds the court fee, the required credit counseling course, and attorney fees into one total for each chapter.

These totals assume a typical consumer case. A case with a business, real estate, disputed debts, or a creditor who objects can take more attorney time and cost more than the range shown.

Some fees only come up after the case is open. Adding a creditor you forgot, reopening a closed case, or switching chapters each carries its own charge.

Converting a Chapter 13 case to Chapter 7 costs $25, while reopening a closed Chapter 7 case costs $260. Amending the list of creditors costs $34. Listing every creditor correctly at the start helps you avoid that fee.

Individual filers must complete a credit counseling course before filing and a debtor education course before their debts are discharged. Both must come from providers approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. Course fees vary by provider and aren't in our data, and some providers may reduce or waive the fee if you can't afford it.

The court fee may not have to be paid in full on the day you file. Bankruptcy courts may let individual filers pay the filing fee in installments, and Chapter 7 filers with low household income may ask the court to waive the fee entirely. A judge decides each request, and approval isn't automatic.

Filing without an attorney (called filing "pro se") removes the attorney fee, but you still pay the court fee unless it is waived. Mistakes in the forms may cost you property or delay your discharge. Legal aid organizations and law school clinics may offer free or reduced-cost help to people who qualify.

Published totals for bankruptcy differ widely because sources count different things.

MoneyLion's range starts low because it includes cases filed without an attorney, where the court fee is most of the cost. LegalZoom's range may assume attorney representation, and its high end may reflect complex cases such as Chapter 11 or contested Chapter 13 plans. Your local market also matters: attorney rates may be higher in large cities than in smaller towns.