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Disclaimer: This calculator provides fee estimates only. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney fees vary widely by jurisdiction, case complexity, specialization, and experience. Some services may be offered on contingency, flat-fee, or hourly basis — this calculator estimates typical ranges, not specific quotes. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for advice specific to your situation. Emergency legal matters, class-action settlements, and pro-bono eligibility are outside the scope of this estimate. Licensing rules differ by jurisdiction and practice area; nothing here should be construed as a recommendation of any particular attorney or firm.

Did You Know?

Bankruptcy attorney fees in 2026 run $1,000–$3,500 for Chapter 7 liquidation, $2,500–$6,000 for Chapter 13 repayment plans, and $10,000–$50,000+ for Chapter 11 small-business reorganization. Court filing fees ($313–$338) are paid separately to the court and are not included in attorney quotes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in 2026?

Bankruptcy attorney fees in 2026 range from $1,000 to $3,500 for Chapter 7 and $2,500 to $6,000 for Chapter 13. Chapter 11 business cases start at $10,000 and can exceed $50,000. Court filing fees of $313 to $338 are paid separately to the court and are not included in attorney quotes.

Chapter 7 attorney fees: $1,000–$3,500 (simple cases); $3,500–$6,000+ (complex/high-asset)
Chapter 13 attorney fees: $2,500–$6,000 (typical flat-fee range)
Chapter 11 attorney fees: $10,000–$50,000+ for small-business reorganization
Court filing fee: ~$338 for Chapter 7, ~$313 for Chapter 13 (paid to court)
High-cost metro attorneys (NYC, LA, SF) run 30–40% above national averages

Chapter Type	Attorney Fee Range	Court Filing Fee	Who It Fits
Chapter 7	$1,000–$3,500	~$338	Individuals seeking discharge
Chapter 13	$2,500–$6,000	~$313	Individuals with regular income
Chapter 11	$10,000–$50,000+	~$1,738	Small businesses and high-debt individuals

Is Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy cheaper?

Chapter 7 is almost always cheaper upfront: attorney fees average $1,000–$3,500 and the case typically closes in 4–6 months. Chapter 13 attorney fees run $2,500–$6,000 and the repayment plan spans 3–5 years. However, Chapter 13 allows you to catch up on mortgage arrears and keep assets you would lose in Chapter 7.

Chapter 7 total out-of-pocket: roughly $1,338–$3,838 (attorney + $338 filing)
Chapter 13 total out-of-pocket: roughly $2,813–$6,313 (attorney + $313 filing)
Chapter 7 closes in 4–6 months; Chapter 13 lasts 3–5 years
Chapter 13 is required if your income exceeds the state means-test threshold for Chapter 7
Chapter 13 lets you catch up on mortgage arrears and protect non-exempt assets

Factor	Chapter 7	Chapter 13
Attorney fees	$1,000–$3,500	$2,500–$6,000
Court filing fee	~$338	~$313
Case duration	4–6 months	3–5 years
Means test required	Yes (income-based)	No (income must be steady)
Asset protection	Exempt assets only	Keep all assets if you complete plan

Can I file bankruptcy without a lawyer to save money?

Filing without an attorney — called 'pro se' filing — is legal but carries high risk. Bankruptcy law is technical; errors in the means test, schedules, or exemption claims can result in case dismissal or loss of assets. Most bankruptcy courts strongly advise retaining an attorney, especially for Chapter 13 and Chapter 11 cases.

Pro se Chapter 7 filing fee: ~$338 (court cost only, no attorney)
Dismissal rate for pro se Chapter 13 filers is significantly higher than for represented debtors
Mistakes in exemption claims can cost more in lost assets than the attorney fee saved
Nonprofit credit counseling agencies offer pre-filing counseling for $25–$75
Legal aid organizations provide free representation to qualifying low-income filers

Do bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee or hourly rate?

Most Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee, which is the industry standard for consumer cases and makes budgeting predictable. Flat fees for Chapter 7 typically run $1,000–$3,500. Chapter 11 business cases, which are more unpredictable in scope, are more often billed hourly at $250–$600 per hour.

Chapter 7 flat fee range: $1,000–$3,500 (includes means test, schedules, and attendance at 341 meeting)
Chapter 13 flat fee range: $2,500–$6,000 (set by local court guidelines in many jurisdictions)
Chapter 11 hourly rate: $250–$600 per hour for experienced business bankruptcy attorneys
Flat fees often exclude adversarial proceedings — clarify before signing an engagement letter
Some attorneys require the full fee paid before filing; others allow installment arrangements

Billing Model	Typical Cost	Used For
Flat fee (consumer)	$1,000–$6,000	Chapter 7 and Chapter 13
Hourly (business)	$250–$600/hr	Chapter 11 reorganization
Retainer + hourly	$5,000–$25,000 retainer	Complex Chapter 11 or adversarial cases

What court filing fees are added on top of attorney costs?

Court filing fees are paid directly to the federal bankruptcy court and are separate from attorney fees. Chapter 7 costs $338, Chapter 13 costs $313, and Chapter 11 costs $1,738. Low-income filers may apply to pay the Chapter 7 fee in installments or request a fee waiver if household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guideline.

Chapter 7 court filing fee: $338 (as of 2026 fee schedule)
Chapter 13 court filing fee: $313
Chapter 11 court filing fee: ~$1,738 (small-business subchapter V is lower)
Fee waiver available for Chapter 7 if household income is below 150% of federal poverty guideline
Fee installment plan available if you cannot pay the full amount at filing

Example Calculations

1Chapter 7, simple case, standard attorney (Midwest)

Inputs

Bankruptcy chapterChapter 7 — Liquidation

Case complexitySimple / straightforward

Attorney tierStandard attorney

RegionMidwest

Result

Estimated attorney fees$1,000 – $3,500

Court filing fee (separate)~$338

Estimated total out-of-pocket~$1,338 – $3,838

A straightforward Chapter 7 with no contested assets or income issues in a mid-cost market sits at the national baseline. The case typically closes in 4–6 months after the 341 creditors' meeting.

2Chapter 13, moderate complexity, standard attorney (South)

Inputs

Bankruptcy chapterChapter 13 — Repayment Plan

Case complexityModerate (some assets or disputes)

Attorney tierStandard attorney

RegionSouth

Result

Estimated attorney fees$3,375 – $8,100

Court filing fee (separate)~$313

Plan duration3–5 years

A Chapter 13 with some non-exempt asset issues or creditor disputes adds complexity above the base range. The 1.35 moderate-complexity multiplier applied to the $2,500–$6,000 base yields a $3,375–$8,100 attorney fee estimate.

3Chapter 7, complex case, experienced attorney (West Coast)

Inputs

Bankruptcy chapterChapter 7 — Liquidation

Case complexityComplex (business assets, litigation)

Attorney tierExperienced / senior attorney

RegionWest Coast

Result

Estimated attorney fees$2,275 – $7,963

Court filing fee (separate)~$338

Premium factorsComplex assets + experienced attorney

Complex Chapter 7 cases involving business interests or adversarial proceedings, handled by an experienced senior attorney in a high-cost metro, apply both the 1.75 complexity multiplier and the 1.3 experienced-tier multiplier to the base $1,000–$3,500 range, yielding $2,275–$7,963.

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Formulas Used

Bankruptcy attorney fee estimate

Attorney fee = Base chapter fee × Complexity multiplier × Attorney tier multiplier

Attorney fees are priced from a chapter-specific base range, then scaled for case complexity and attorney experience. Court filing fees are fixed by the federal fee schedule and are added separately.

Where:

Base chapter fee= Chapter 7: $1,000–$3,500; Chapter 13: $2,500–$6,000; Chapter 11: $10,000–$50,000

Complexity multiplier= Simple 1.0×; moderate 1.35×; complex (adversarial, business assets) 1.75×

Attorney tier multiplier= Standard practitioner 1.0×; experienced / board-certified 1.3×

Total out-of-pocket cost

Total = Attorney fee + Court filing fee + Mandatory counseling fees

The full out-of-pocket cost of bankruptcy includes attorney fees, federal court filing fees, and mandatory credit counseling and debtor education certificates required by law.

Where:

Attorney fee= Flat or hourly fee charged by the attorney — the largest variable cost

Court filing fee= Paid directly to the bankruptcy court: ~$338 (Ch7), ~$313 (Ch13), ~$1,738 (Ch11)

Mandatory counseling fees= Pre-filing credit counseling and post-filing debtor education certificates, typically $25–$75 each

Show all formulas

Bankruptcy Lawyer Costs in 2026: Attorney Fees by Chapter Type

What Bankruptcy Attorneys Charge in 2026

Bankruptcy attorney fees in 2026 follow a well-established range tied primarily to the chapter you file under, the complexity of your case, and regional labor rates. For a standard Chapter 7 liquidation — the most common form of consumer bankruptcy — attorney fees typically fall between $1,000 and $3,500. Chapter 13 repayment plans, which involve a 3-to-5-year court-supervised payment schedule, generally run $2,500 to $6,000 in attorney fees. Chapter 11 business reorganizations are far more expensive, starting at $10,000 for small-business subchapter V filings and regularly exceeding $50,000 for complex cases involving multiple creditor classes or adversarial proceedings. These figures are attorney-only estimates and do not include the federal court filing fee — approximately $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13 — which is paid directly to the court at the time of filing.

Court filing fees are fixed by the federal Judicial Conference fee schedule and do not vary by state or attorney. What does vary significantly is the attorney fee itself. A standard consumer bankruptcy practitioner in a mid-cost market such as the Midwest or South will typically charge close to the low end of these ranges. An experienced or board-certified bankruptcy attorney, or one working in a high-cost metro such as New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, can charge 30 to 50 percent more. Case complexity is the other major driver: a simple Chapter 7 with no contested assets, a clear means test result, and a straightforward creditor list takes far less attorney time than a case involving business interests, non-exempt asset negotiations, or creditor adversarial proceedings.

It is also worth understanding what the flat fee typically includes and excludes. For Chapter 7, the standard flat fee almost always covers the means test calculation, preparation of schedules and the statement of financial affairs, filing the petition, and appearing at the 341 creditors' meeting. It usually excludes any adversarial proceeding — such as a creditor challenging the dischargeability of a specific debt — which would be billed separately at hourly rates of $250 to $450. For Chapter 13, the flat fee is often set by local court rules as a guideline; it covers plan preparation, filing, and attending the 341 meeting and plan confirmation hearing, but additional appearances or plan modifications typically add to the bill. Always ask your attorney to specify in writing exactly what is and is not included before signing an engagement agreement.

2026 US bankruptcy attorney fee ranges and court filing fees by chapter type.
Bankruptcy Chapter	Attorney Fee Range	Court Filing Fee	Typical Duration
Chapter 7 — Liquidation	$1,000–$3,500	~$338	4–6 months
Chapter 13 — Repayment Plan	$2,500–$6,000	~$313	3–5 years
Chapter 11 — Reorganization	$10,000–$50,000+	~$1,738	1–3+ years
Chapter 11 — Subchapter V (small biz)	$10,000–$30,000	~$1,738	3–5 years

The court filing fee and the mandatory pre-filing credit counseling certificate (typically $25–$75) are paid separately from attorney fees and are required before your petition can be filed.

Key Factors That Drive Bankruptcy Legal Fees

Two people filing the same chapter of bankruptcy in the same city can receive attorney quotes that differ by thousands of dollars. That variation is not arbitrary — it tracks a set of well-defined factors that determine how much attorney time your case will consume. Understanding these factors lets you answer questions more precisely when calling attorneys for quotes, which in turn produces more accurate estimates and fewer surprises at the end of your engagement.

Case complexity is the single biggest variable after chapter type. A no-asset Chapter 7 — where you have no non-exempt property for the trustee to liquidate — is the simplest type of bankruptcy case and commands the lowest fees. Add a vehicle with equity above your state exemption, a small business interest, a recent property transfer that a trustee might scrutinize as a preference or fraudulent conveyance, or a creditor threatening an adversarial proceeding to challenge the dischargeability of a debt, and the attorney's time estimate rises sharply. Complex Chapter 13 cases with mortgage modifications, lien-stripping motions, or plan amendments over the repayment period similarly push fees toward the high end of the range.

Attorney experience and credential level matter as well. A board-certified consumer bankruptcy attorney — a credential offered by the American Board of Certification and a few state bar organizations — typically charges a premium of 25 to 35 percent over a standard practitioner. Experienced attorneys who have handled hundreds of cases often catch issues that less experienced attorneys miss, which can translate into better outcomes even at higher rates. Regional labor market rates also play a meaningful role: attorneys in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Boston consistently price 30 to 50 percent above attorneys in smaller Midwest or Southern markets for equivalent case complexity.

Always ask whether the quoted flat fee includes adversarial proceedings or creditor objections. In most Chapter 7 cases, the flat fee does not — and a contested debt-dischargeability hearing can add $2,000 to $10,000 in hourly attorney time on top of the base fee.

Bankruptcy chapter: Chapter 7 is the cheapest; Chapter 13 more; Chapter 11 the most expensive
Case complexity: no-asset cases are cheapest; adversarial proceedings, business assets, and exemption disputes add significant cost
Attorney experience and credentials: board-certified specialists and senior attorneys charge 25–35% more than general practitioners
Geographic region: high-cost metros run 30–50% above national average; Midwest and South often at or below average
Number of creditors and asset schedules: more creditors and property to list adds document-preparation time
Prior filings: a second bankruptcy filing within 8 years limits the automatic stay and adds complexity
Pre-filing exemption planning: protecting non-exempt assets through legal planning before filing takes additional attorney time

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 vs Chapter 11: A Side-by-Side Cost Breakdown

Choosing the right bankruptcy chapter is not purely a cost decision — eligibility, asset protection goals, and the type of debt you carry all matter — but cost differences are large enough to be worth understanding clearly before your first attorney consultation. Chapter 7 liquidation is the fastest and cheapest option for people who qualify. A simple Chapter 7 with a standard attorney and no unusual assets typically costs $1,338 to $3,838 all-in (attorney fee plus court filing fee) and closes in 4 to 6 months. Discharge eliminates most unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and most utility arrears — but does not discharge student loans, recent taxes, domestic support obligations, or debts arising from fraud. You must also pass a means test: if your household income exceeds the state median, you may not qualify for Chapter 7, or you will need to show disposable income insufficient to fund a Chapter 13 plan.

Chapter 13 is more expensive and longer but gives you tools that Chapter 7 does not. The repayment plan lasts three to five years, and you pay a trustee who distributes funds to creditors according to a court-approved schedule. Chapter 13 lets you catch up on mortgage arrears through the plan while keeping the home, strip junior liens from an underwater property in some circuits, and protect non-exempt assets you would lose in Chapter 7. Attorney fees of $2,500 to $6,000 are often paid through the plan itself rather than upfront, and courts in many districts set a presumptive guideline fee that attorneys are expected to honor. If you need to modify the plan later — income change, missed payments, medical emergency — that usually costs additional attorney time.

Chapter 11 is primarily for businesses and high-debt individuals who exceed the Chapter 13 debt limits ($2.75 million combined secured and unsecured as of 2025, adjusted periodically). Subchapter V, added to the bankruptcy code in 2020, created a streamlined small-business Chapter 11 track with lower costs, a reorganization plan that does not require creditor approval, and a mandatory trustee to oversee administration. Small-business Chapter 11 attorney fees typically run $10,000 to $30,000. Traditional large-entity Chapter 11 cases can cost hundreds of thousands in attorney fees and are well outside the scope of consumer bankruptcy. The table below captures the key cost and procedural differences at a glance.

Cost and feature comparison of major bankruptcy chapters, 2026.
Factor	Chapter 7	Chapter 13	Chapter 11 (Small Biz)
Typical attorney fee	$1,000–$3,500	$2,500–$6,000	$10,000–$30,000
Court filing fee	~$338	~$313	~$1,738
Duration	4–6 months	3–5 years	1–3 years
Income / means test	Required	Steady income needed	Business viability required
Non-exempt asset risk	Trustee can liquidate	Protected if plan completed	Protected under reorganization plan
Mortgage catch-up	No	Yes (through plan)	Yes (through plan)
Student loans discharged	No (generally)	No (generally)	No (generally)

Chapter 13 attorney fees are often paid through the plan over time — many courts allow attorneys to collect fees from trustee disbursements rather than requiring full upfront payment, which can make the immediate cash burden significantly lower than Chapter 7 in some cases.

When to Consult an Attorney

Filing for bankruptcy is a significant legal and financial decision that affects your credit report for 7 to 10 years, may impact your ability to rent housing or obtain certain employment, and involves legal proceedings under federal law. This calculator provides a useful fee benchmark for budgeting purposes, but the decision of whether to file — and which chapter fits your circumstances — depends on factors that only a licensed bankruptcy attorney can evaluate.

Consider scheduling a free or low-cost initial consultation if you are unable to service unsecured debt after genuine efforts to reduce or negotiate it, if wage garnishment has begun or a judgment has been entered against you, if foreclosure proceedings have started, or if you are a business owner facing obligations you cannot meet. Many bankruptcy attorneys offer a no-cost or low-cost first consultation ($0 to $150) specifically to discuss eligibility, chapter options, and the approximate fee before any engagement. Consulting two or three attorneys costs little and often surfaces important differences in strategy, scope of services, and price.

Legal aid organizations, bankruptcy pro bono clinics operated by state and local bar associations, and nonprofit credit counseling agencies can also help if your income is limited. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and the American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) are two reputable starting points for finding low-cost pre-bankruptcy counseling. Nothing in this calculator constitutes legal advice; use these estimates as a planning input, not a substitute for professional legal guidance.

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Last Updated: Jul 24, 2026

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Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 vs Chapter 11: A Side-by-Side Cost Breakdown

Cost and feature comparison of major bankruptcy chapters, 2026.
Factor	Chapter 7	Chapter 13	Chapter 11 (Small Biz)
Typical attorney fee	$1,000–$3,500	$2,500–$6,000	$10,000–$30,000
Court filing fee	~$338	~$313	~$1,738
Duration	4–6 months	3–5 years	1–3 years
Income / means test	Required	Steady income needed	Business viability required
Non-exempt asset risk	Trustee can liquidate	Protected if plan completed	Protected under reorganization plan
Mortgage catch-up	No	Yes (through plan)	Yes (through plan)
Student loans discharged	No (generally)	No (generally)	No (generally)