How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost in 2026? Chapter 7 vs 13 Guide
Bankruptcy feels like the end of the road, and then the first question arrives: how much does it cost to file? It is a fair question, and the answer is more hopeful than most people expect. For many filers, the total bill is a small fraction of the debt being wiped out.
The court filing fees are fixed by federal law, so they are the same in every state. What varies is the lawyer's fee, which depends on where you live and how complicated your case is. This guide breaks down every cost, chapter by chapter, including the waiver that can make a Chapter 7 filing free.
All prices below were checked on Nov 2, 2026, from the US Courts bankruptcy fee schedule as reported by Nolo, LegalClarity, Upsolve, J.G. Wentworth and ThePricer. Prices are US federal prices. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
The Quick Answer
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 in total with an attorney, or about $400 if you file on your own. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy typically costs $2,800 to $6,800 in total, because the legal work stretches across a three-to-five-year repayment plan.
The court filing fee itself is small: $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Add two mandatory courses at $10 to $50 each, and the minimum cost of filing Chapter 7 without a lawyer is roughly $400 — and less if you qualify for a fee waiver.
Court Filing Fees: Fixed Nationwide
Federal bankruptcy filing fees are set nationally under 28 USC 1930, so unlike attorney fees, they do not rise just because you live in an expensive state. Here is the full table.
| Chapter | Court filing fee | What it is for | Typical total cost with attorney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | $338 | Liquidation and discharge of eligible debts | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Chapter 13 | $313 | Individual repayment over 3–5 years | $2,800–$6,800 |
| Chapter 11 | $1,738 | Business or individual reorganisation | $50,000–$100,000+ |
| Chapter 12 | $278 | Family farmers and fishermen | Varies widely |
The Chapter 7 fee of $338 breaks down into a $245 filing fee, a $78 administrative fee and a $15 trustee surcharge. The Chapter 13 fee of $313 is a $235 filing fee plus the same $78 administrative fee, with no trustee surcharge. Chapter 11, used mainly by businesses, carries a $1,738 filing fee — and total costs that Nolo puts at $50,000 to $100,000 or more for a traditional case, though smaller Subchapter V cases cost less.
Attorney Fees: The Real Variable
The court fee is fixed, but the lawyer's fee is not, and it is the biggest part of the bill. Chapter 7 attorney fees commonly run $1,000 to $2,500, with Nolo reporting an average of about $2,000. ThePricer puts the range slightly wider, at $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the case and locality.
Chapter 13 attorney fees run higher: $2,500 to $6,000 is the usual range, according to ThePricer and LegalClarity. The good news is that Chapter 13 fees are often paid partly through the repayment plan itself, so you do not always need the full amount upfront.
| Cost | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $338 | $313 |
| Attorney fee | $1,000–$2,500 | $2,500–$6,000 |
| Credit counselling course | $10–$50 | $10–$50 |
| Debtor education course | $10–$50 | $10–$50 |
| Typical total with attorney | $1,500–$3,500 | $2,800–$6,800 |
| Total filing alone (pro se) | About $400 | About $400 |
The Two Mandatory Courses
Every individual filer must complete two courses from approved providers before debts can be discharged. The first is pre-filing credit counselling, which must be done within 180 days before you file. The second is debtor education, completed after filing.
Each course typically costs $10 to $50, according to Upsolve, with most providers charging $15 to $30 for counselling and up to $50 for debtor education, according to Nolo. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can ask the provider to waive the fee or reduce it.
Worked Example: Three Filers, Three Bills
Sara owes $40,000 in credit card debt. She files Chapter 7 with an attorney who charges $1,800. Add the $338 court fee and two courses at $25 each, and her total is $2,188 — against $40,000 of debt discharged.
Marcus earns too much to pass the Chapter 7 means test, so he files Chapter 13 with a five-year repayment plan. His attorney charges $4,500, paid mostly through the plan. Add the $313 court fee and $50 for the two courses, and his total legal cost is $4,863 — spread over five years rather than paid upfront.
Elena has very little income and files Chapter 7 on her own. She qualifies for a full fee waiver, and both course providers waive their fees. Her total cost is $0; without the waivers it would have been about $400.
The Fee Waiver: When Bankruptcy Costs Nothing
A full fee waiver is available only in Chapter 7 cases. To qualify, your household income must fall below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, and you must be unable to pay even in instalments. For 2026, LegalClarity puts that threshold at less than $23,940 a year for a single person, or less than $49,500 for a family of four in the contiguous 48 states.
Chapter 13 filers have no fee waiver option. But both chapters can ask to pay the court fee in instalments — up to four payments over 120 days. While you are paying in instalments, no payments can go to your attorney until the filing fee is fully paid.
If you do not qualify for a waiver, the courses can still be free or reduced — ask each provider directly.
Other Costs to Budget For
Most cases have a few smaller expenses on top of the main bill. If you need to convert your case from one chapter to another — for example, from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 — the court charges an additional $25 conversion fee.
Chapter 11 cases also carry quarterly US Trustee fees, starting at $250 per quarter under the schedule effective April 1, 2026, according to ThePricer.
How to Keep the Cost Down
File on your own only if your case is genuinely simple: no house, no business, no disputed debts, and debts that are clearly dischargeable. Filing pro se saves $1,000 to $2,500, but a mistake can cost far more than a lawyer would have. Upsolve, a nonprofit, helps low-income filers prepare Chapter 7 cases for free.
Get quotes from more than one attorney, ask what the fee covers, and ask whether any of it can be paid through a Chapter 13 plan. Apply for the fee waiver and course waivers if your income is low — many filers who qualify never ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy?
With an attorney, Chapter 7 typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 in total and Chapter 13 costs $2,800 to $6,800. Filing alone costs about $400 for Chapter 7, and can be free if you qualify for a fee waiver.
What is the court filing fee for bankruptcy?
$338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13, $1,738 for Chapter 11 and $278 for Chapter 12. These are federal fees, the same in every state.
Can I file bankruptcy for free?
Yes, in some cases. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty line and you cannot pay in instalments, the court can waive the Chapter 7 filing fee, and course providers can waive their fees too. Upsolve also offers free help for eligible Chapter 7 filers.
Is Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 cheaper?
Chapter 7 is cheaper upfront — $1,500 to $3,500 with a lawyer versus $2,800 to $6,800 for Chapter 13. But Chapter 13 spreads its cost over a three-to-five-year plan, and it lets you keep property that Chapter 7 might sell.
Do I need a lawyer to file bankruptcy?
No, you are legally allowed to file on your own, which is called filing pro se. But bankruptcy paperwork is complex, and a mistake can delay or damage your case. Most filers hire a lawyer, and many attorneys offer a free first consultation.
Prices checked Nov 2, 2026. Sources: US Courts bankruptcy fee schedule via Nolo, LegalClarity, Upsolve, J.G. Wentworth, ThePricer. Difficulty assessment is based on a fresh Nov 2, 2026 SERP check only and is not backlink-verified. This article is general information, not legal advice; talk to a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your state before filing.