Bankruptcy Cost Calculator
How much to file bankruptcy? Estimate bankruptcy filing costs — Chapter 7 ($1,400-$4,000), Chapter 13 ($3,000-$7,000), Chapter 11 ($12K-$100K+). Means test eligibility, dischargeable debts, alternatives, credit impact
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in 2026? Chapter 7: $1,400-$4,000 total (attorney $1K-$3.5K + filing $338 + counseling $50-$100). Attorney fees paid before filing (required).
⚖ Chapter 7: $1,400-$4,000 total. Chapter 13: $3,000-$7,000 (attorney can be paid through plan). Means test determines Ch 7 eligibility. 7-10 year credit report impact.
Your Case Details
Answer a few questions to see your estimated range.
Estimated Total Cost
$3,500 — $6,500
Total cost includes attorney fees, court filing fees, and typical case expenses. Contingency cases shift cost to a percentage of recovery (typically 33%).
Before and after a bankruptcy filing
Filing fees are only the entry price. These pages cover what a filing costs later, which debts survive it, and what an estate costs when someone dies.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees
Court fees, trustee costs and waivers
How Long It Stays on Your Credit
Chapter 7 and 13 compared
Student Loans in Bankruptcy
The undue-hardship standard after 2022
Probate Lawyer Cost by State
Percentage fees against flat rates
Small Estate Affidavit by State
Value limits that avoid probate
Revisado Editorialmente — Contenido revisado en cuanto a exactitud utilizando investigación legal publicada, datos gubernamentales y registros judiciales verificados. Vea nuestra metodología
Reviewed by Leonard Goldberg, Editor · Last updated
Bankruptcy Cost + Eligibility 2026
Chapter 7 (Liquidation): Discharge of eligible unsecured debts in 3-6 months. Attorney $1,000-$3,500 + filing fee $338 + credit counseling $50-$100 = $1,400-$4,000 total typical. Attorney fees must be paid in full BEFORE filing (Lamie v. US Trustee 2004). Non-exempt assets CAN be liquidated by trustee — though most consumer filers have few/no non-exempt assets due to state + federal exemption schedules.
Chapter 13 (Reorganization): 3-5 year repayment plan, keeps non-exempt assets. Attorney $2,500-$6,000 + filing fee $313 = $3,000-$7,000 total. Attorney fees OFTEN PAID THROUGH THE PLAN — lowers upfront cost. Chapter 11 (Business): $10,000-$100,000+ depending on complexity — used by businesses + high-asset individuals exceeding Ch 13 debt limits.
Two mandatory counseling courses: (1) Pre-filing credit counseling ($20-$50, fee waivers available), (2) Post-filing debtor education ($10-$50, fee waivers under 150% poverty line). Means Test (Ch 7 eligibility): household income vs state median. Above median → second calculation tests whether disposable income permits repayment. If so → presumptively abusive → must use Ch 13.
Bankruptcy Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in 2026?
Chapter 7: $1,400-$4,000 total (attorney $1K-$3.5K + filing $338 + counseling $50-$100). Attorney fees paid before filing (required). Chapter 13: $3,000-$7,000 total (attorney $2.5K-$6K + filing $313). Attorney fees can be paid through the plan. Chapter 11: $12,000-$100,000+ (business). Fee waivers available for filers under 150% poverty line. Do-it-yourself filings possible but risky — errors can result in dismissal or loss of assets.
Can I keep my house and car in bankruptcy?
Usually YES — via exemptions. Each state has exemption schedule protecting specific dollar amounts of: home equity (homestead exemption — varies $5K-$500K+ by state; some unlimited like FL), vehicle equity ($3K-$15K typical), retirement accounts (fully exempt federally), household goods, tools of trade. Chapter 7: non-exempt assets liquidated. Most consumer filers lose nothing because they're within exemption limits. Chapter 13: keep all assets, repay based on plan.
Can bankruptcy discharge student loans in 2026?
Yes — but rare and complex. Requires separate adversary proceeding proving 'undue hardship' under §523(a)(8). Brunner test (most circuits): (1) cannot maintain minimal standard of living if required to repay, (2) conditions likely to persist, (3) good-faith repayment efforts. NEW (Nov 2022 - Mar 2025 DOJ/USTP guidance): 98% of cases where DOJ recommends discharge receive full or partial discharge. Major shift. Still requires skilled attorney + specific case. Talk to bankruptcy attorney about student loan discharge — odds much better in 2026 than 2020.
How do I know if I qualify for Chapter 7?
Means Test: compares household income to state median. If BELOW median → automatic qualification. If ABOVE median → second calculation tests disposable income after IRS-aligned expense allowances. If disposable income permits repayment ($166/month+ typical threshold) → must use Ch 13 instead. Run means test calculator online (available at many bankruptcy attorney websites). Recent job loss (6+ months unemployed) may exempt you from means test. Attorney can help interpret expense allowances.
What happens to my credit score after bankruptcy?
Drops 90-200 points at filing (higher pre-filing scores drop more). Ch 7 on report for 10 years; Ch 13 for 7 years. Rebuilding: most filers can reach 620-650 FICO within 18-24 months with: secured credit cards, on-time all payments, keeping utilization under 30%. FHA loans: 2 years post-Ch 7 discharge. Counter-intuitively, credit score can be HIGHER 2 years post-bankruptcy than pre-bankruptcy (no more defaults accumulating).
What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
Chapter 7: surrender non-exempt assets, discharge eligible debts in 3-6 months. Cost $1,400-$4,000. Good for: low-asset filers with mainly unsecured debts (credit cards, medical). Chapter 13: keep all assets, repay creditors over 3-5 years per court-approved plan. Cost $3,000-$7,000. Good for: higher-income filers (above means test), people with substantial non-exempt assets they want to keep (second home, vehicles, investments), behind-on-mortgage filers (Ch 13 can cure arrearage in plan).
What are alternatives to bankruptcy?
Debt Consolidation: combine debts into one lower-interest loan ($0 forgiveness — just restructures). Debt Settlement: negotiate lump-sum at 40-60 cents on dollar (tax consequences via 1099-C). Debt Management Plan (DMP): nonprofit credit counseling agency, 3-5 years, reduced interest. SOL Expiration: each debt has 3-10 year SOL — after expiration creditor cannot sue (but can still collect). Depends on: income stability, asset level, debt types, time horizon. Consult nonprofit credit counseling + bankruptcy attorney both.
How long does bankruptcy take?
Chapter 7: 3-6 months from filing to discharge typical. Simple cases resolve in 90-120 days. Chapter 13: 3-5 year plan (60 months maximum). Discharge at end of plan. Some states allow earlier completion via hardship discharge. Chapter 11: varies dramatically — 6 months to multiple years for complex business reorganizations. Pre-filing preparation: 30-60 days to gather documents + credit counseling + file petition.