🏦 Bankruptcy Cost Calculator — How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost?

Understand the real cost of filing bankruptcy — Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 — before you decide.

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Bankruptcy Cost Estimator

Federal filing fees are fixed. Attorney fees vary by region. All calculations stay in your browser. · Updated July 2026

📋 Chapter 7 — Liquidation

Eliminates most unsecured debt in ~4 months. Must pass means test. Filing fee: $338.

📋 Chapter 13 — Reorganization

3–5 year repayment plan to keep assets. No income limit. Filing fee: $313.

Estimated Total Bankruptcy Cost
Court Filing Fee
Attorney Fees
Credit Counseling (required)
Debtor Education Course (required)
Credit Report (optional)
~$30
Miscellaneous Court Costs

⚠️ Bankruptcy has long-lasting credit consequences (7–10 years on credit report). Before filing, consult a bankruptcy attorney — many offer free consultations and can help determine if alternatives like debt negotiation or consolidation may be better options.

Filing for bankruptcy in 2026 typically costs $1,500–$4,500 total for Chapter 7 (the most common type) and $4,000–$8,000 for Chapter 13. Court filing fees are set at $338 (Chapter 7) and $313 (Chapter 13). Attorney fees — optional but strongly recommended — generally run $1,000–$3,500 for Chapter 7 and $3,000–$6,000 for Chapter 13, depending on case complexity and state. Consulting a licensed bankruptcy attorney in your state can help you understand which chapter fits your situation.

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13: Which Is Right for You?

Chapter 7 ("liquidation bankruptcy") eliminates most unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans — in approximately 3–6 months. You must pass the means test (income below your state's median or pass a disposable income calculation), and non-exempt assets can be liquidated to pay creditors. With the ABI confirming 2026 bankruptcy filings surging in 49 of 50 states, courts in many regions are seeing extended processing times — a factor to consider when planning your timeline. Chapter 13 ("reorganization bankruptcy") lets you keep assets while repaying some or all debt over a 3–5 year plan — particularly valuable for homeowners facing foreclosure. Chapter 7 is faster and cheaper; Chapter 13 offers more flexibility but requires sustained income.

Bankruptcy Alternatives to Consider First

Before filing, consider alternatives: (1) Debt negotiation — many creditors will accept 30–60 cents on the dollar for lump-sum settlement, especially after default; (2) Debt management plans through nonprofit credit counseling agencies, which reduce interest to 6–8% and consolidate payments; (3) Debt consolidation loans if you have adequate credit; (4) Negotiating directly with creditors for hardship programs. The 2026 bankruptcy filing surge — driven by elevated interest rates, persistent inflation, and post-pandemic debt accumulation — means you are far from alone. Bankruptcy's 7–10 year credit impact is significant, but for genuinely unmanageable debt it can be the most practical path to a fresh financial start. Many bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically costs $1,500–$4,500 total in 2026. The court filing fee is $338, and required credit counseling and debtor education courses add another $50–$150. Attorney fees generally run $1,000–$3,500 depending on your state and case complexity. Some bankruptcy attorneys offer payment plans, and low-income filers may qualify to have the court filing fee waived based on household income.
Chapter 7 is significantly less expensive upfront — total costs typically range from $1,500–$4,500, with cases resolved in 3–6 months. Chapter 13 costs more overall, typically $4,000–$8,000 in combined attorney and filing fees, but allows filers to keep more assets and repay debts over a 3–5 year plan. Chapter 13 attorney fees are often paid through the repayment plan, making the immediate out-of-pocket cost lower even though total expenses are higher.
Filing without an attorney ('pro se') is legally permitted, but completion rates are substantially lower. Pro se Chapter 7 filers experience dismissal rates roughly 4–5 times higher than represented filers, according to federal court data. For Chapter 13, self-represented filers rarely complete the 3–5 year repayment plan successfully. Consulting a licensed bankruptcy attorney is advisable — given that a completed Chapter 7 can eliminate tens of thousands in debt, attorney fees are generally cost-effective.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy remains on a credit report for 10 years from the filing date; Chapter 13 remains for 7 years. However, most filers generally begin to see credit score recovery within 12–24 months as discharged debts no longer show active balances. Secured credit cards and credit-builder loans are commonly used post-bankruptcy to rebuild credit, with many filers reaching scores in the 620–680 range within 2–3 years.
Bankruptcy does not eliminate all types of debt. Debts that typically cannot be discharged include student loans (in most cases), child support and alimony, most tax debts less than 3 years old, debts arising from fraud, and criminal fines or restitution. Chapter 7 generally eliminates most unsecured consumer debt such as credit cards and medical bills, while Chapter 13 can help manage non-dischargeable debts through a structured repayment arrangement.

⚖️ When to Hire a Bankruptcy Attorney

A bankruptcy attorney is strongly advisable for virtually all bankruptcy filings. Most bankruptcy attorneys offer free initial consultations, during which they review your debts, income, and assets to tell you whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 is appropriate, estimate the costs, and clarify what debts can be eliminated. Hiring an attorney is especially important when: you own a home and are trying to stop foreclosure; you are self-employed with complex income; you own a business; any of your debts may be non-dischargeable; or you have assets above your state's exemption limits. Even for simple no-asset Chapter 7 cases, the attorney's fee ($1,000–$2,000) buys peace of mind that the filing is accurate, complete, and structured to protect your maximum allowable exemptions. Before paying a bankruptcy attorney, also explore whether non-bankruptcy alternatives — debt settlement, creditor hardship programs, or debt management plans through nonprofit credit counseling agencies — might address your situation without the 7–10 year credit impact of a bankruptcy filing.