Cost of Filing Bankruptcy

What does it cost to file bankruptcy? Here are typical charges for cases filed by the attorneys at Bankruptcy Law Office.

  • Bankruptcy court filing fees are $335 for chapter 7 and $310 for chapter 13 (as of 5-34-2015).
  • Attorneys fees for an individual consumer bankruptcy case range from $1500 to $5000.* Chapter 7 fees must be paid in advance prior to the filing of the bankruptcy petition. Chapter 13 fees may be paid through the chapter 13 bankruptcy payment plans in many instances.
  • Chapter 13 trustee fees up to 10% of plan payments received.
  • Financial management (debtor education) course required prior to discharge $10 to $100.
  • Other. Some cases have other fees such as appraisals, title reports, research, document retrieval, broker price opinions, certified copies, recording fees, and other costs.

*Typical fees stated here exclude chapter 9, 11, 12 and 15 bankruptcy cases, cases for self-employed workers, proprietors, businesses, corporations and partnerships, complex bankruptcy cases, and prebankruptcy planning. Additional fees are charged for bankruptcy adversary proceedings and contested matters. and for post confirmation work in chapter 13 cases. We will quote you an estimate of the fees for your case and the requirements for payment of fees after meeting with you and evaluating your circumstances. Your fees may be more or less than the typical fees stated here. Fees are subject to change at any time without notice.

Bankruptcy kits and petition preparers exist. They are a bad idea. They are not attorneys, cannot give you legal advice, nor appear with you in court. Representing yourself also is a bad idea. It is possible to lose all of your property and not discharge any of your debts in bankruptcy if your case is mishandled.

Kansas Rules of Professional Responsibility – 1.5 Client-Lawyer Relationship: Fees (a) A lawyer’s fee shall be reasonable. The factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following: (1) the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly; (2) the likelihood, if apparent to the client, that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;  (3) the fee customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services; (4) the amount involved and the results obtained; (5) the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances; (6) the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client; (7) the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services; and (8) whether the fee is fixed or contingent.

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