Current court fee
The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338; lawyer fees vary.
Official bankruptcy court sources list a $338 Chapter 7 petition fee as of August 13, 2026. That is not the total cost of a represented case. Attorney fees depend on location, facts, document quality, property, business activity, creditor disputes, and the work included in the agreement. Verify the court fee again before filing.
Four parts of a Chapter 7 cost estimate
| Part | How to verify it |
|---|---|
| Court filing fee | Check the official court fee schedule and local instructions for payment, installments, or a possible waiver. |
| Attorney fee | Obtain a written flat-fee or hourly agreement identifying the lawyer, services, timing, and refund terms. |
| Required education | Check the approved provider list and the provider’s fee or waiver policy for credit counseling and debtor education. |
| Additional work | Ask about amendments, contested matters, adversary proceedings, conversion, lien issues, reaffirmation, and post-filing disputes. |
Why local quotes differ
- Number and type of assets, liens, and exemption questions
- Income complexity, self-employment, or means-test disputes
- Recent transfers, family repayments, lawsuits, inheritances, or unusual transactions
- Tax debt, support, student loans, secured debts, or discharge disputes
- Quality and completeness of the records supplied
- Local market, court practice, and the firm’s staffing model
Ask whether these services are included
- Initial risk and document review
- Means-test calculation
- Petition and schedules
- Creditor matrix and filing
- 341 meeting appearance
- Routine trustee requests
- Ordinary amendments
- Reaffirmation review
- Creditor communication
- Post-discharge file closing
Lower-cost paths to investigate
Ask the court or a legal aid organization about self-help resources, pro bono programs, fee installments, and waiver rules. A lower-cost service is appropriate only if it matches the complexity and risk in your file. Do not trade property or deadline protection for a headline price you do not understand.
Fee red flags
- A price is advertised without identifying the services or eligibility conditions.
- The agreement differs from what the salesperson or intake agent promised.
- Financing, post-filing services, or a second contract is not clearly explained.
- You are asked to pay before the responsible lawyer or license can be verified.
- Extra charges are described only as “if needed” with no examples or rates.
Official sources
Compare quotes on one page
Use the attorney fee checklist to compare the same cost items across firms.
*Court fee current as of August 13, 2026; verify before filing.