One of the most frequent questions we receive is: "How can I pay a bankruptcy attorney if I'm in bankruptcy?" It's a completely valid question. Here's the real answer.
Filing Fees
The federal court charges filing fees: $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty level, you may request a fee waiver or a payment plan split into up to 4 installments.
Attorney Fees
The typical range for an uncomplicated Chapter 7 in California is $1,200-$2,500 in attorney fees. For Chapter 13, fees are generally $3,000-$5,000, but most are paid through the bankruptcy plan, meaning you don't pay them upfront, they're included in your monthly plan payments.
Payment Options for Chapter 7
For Chapter 7, many firms offer pre-filing payment plans. A common structure: pay half the fees before filing and the rest in monthly installments. Some firms also accept credit card payment.
The Cost of NOT Filing Bankruptcy
The correct calculation is not "how much does bankruptcy cost?" but "how much does NOT filing cost me?" If you have $60,000 in credit card debt at 24% interest, you're paying $14,400/year in interest alone, forever, if you only make minimum payments. Call us for a free consultation where we analyze whether the numbers make sense for you.