A bankruptcy attorney costs $1,000 to $6,000 per filing in 2026
A bankruptcy attorney costs $1,000 to $6,000 per filing in 2026. The type of case is the biggest reason. LegalZoom lists Chapter 7 lawyer fees at $1,000 to $3,000 and Chapter 13 at $2,500 to $5,000. ERB Learn lists Chapter 13 fees up to $6,000. You also pay a court fee of $313 to $338, which is not part of the lawyer fee. Ask each firm for a flat fee in writing.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| ERB Learn | ERB Learn lists Chapter 7 lawyer fees at $1,500 to $3,000 and Chapter 13 at $3,000 to $6,000, with court fees of $335 and $310. |
| MoneyLion | MoneyLion lists Chapter 7 attorney fees at $1,000 to $2,500 and Chapter 13 at $2,500 to $5,000, with court fees of $338 and $313. |
| LegalZoom | LegalZoom lists Chapter 7 attorney fees at $1,000 to $3,000 and Chapter 13 at $2,500 to $5,000, with court fees of $338 and $313. |
Bankruptcy cost by chapter and source
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 lawyer fee | $1,000 to $3,000 | LegalZoom |
| Chapter 7 lawyer fee | $1,500 to $3,000 | ERB Learn |
| Chapter 13 lawyer fee | $2,500 to $5,000 | LegalZoom |
| Chapter 13 lawyer fee | $3,000 to $6,000 | ERB Learn |
| Chapter 7 court fee | $338 | MoneyLion |
| Chapter 13 court fee | $313 | MoneyLion |
| Credit counseling and debtor class | $0 to $100 together | MoneyLion |
| Chapter 7 total with court fee | $1,338 to $2,900 | MoneyLion |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Chapter type | Chapter 7 is a short case and costs less. Chapter 13 is a repayment plan, so it costs more. LegalZoom lists $1,000 to $3,000 and $2,500 to $5,000. |
| Case size | More debts, more property, or a small business make the file bigger. A simple case for one person usually sits at the low end of each range. |
| How you pay | LegalZoom says Chapter 7 fees are usually paid in full before filing. In Chapter 13, the unpaid balance is often added into the repayment plan. |
| Court fees | The court charges its own fee on top of the lawyer fee. LegalZoom and MoneyLion list $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. |
| Lawyer and place | Rates differ by city and firm. A busy big city firm may charge more than a small town lawyer for the same simple case. |
What the price includes
A flat fee usually covers a meeting with you, a review of your debts, filing the papers, and going to the meeting with the trustee. Court fees, credit counseling, and the debtor class cost extra. MoneyLion lists credit counseling and the debtor class at about $0 to $100 together. Ask if the fee covers more work if a creditor fights your case. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Bankruptcy lawyers work alone or in small firms. Some firms only handle debt cases. Most quote one flat fee for each chapter. LegalZoom says Chapter 7 fees are usually paid in full before filing. For Chapter 13, the lawyer is often paid over time through the repayment plan. Court fees go to the court, not to the lawyer. MoneyLion lists the total for Chapter 7 at about $1,338 to $2,900 and Chapter 13 at about $2,813 to $5,400. Ask each firm what is in the flat fee and what is not.
When you need this
You may need a bankruptcy lawyer when your debts are too big to pay, when collectors sue you, or when a pay cut or big bill puts your home at risk. A lawyer can tell you if Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits and what you can keep. Talk to one before you stop paying bills or move money around.
How to judge your quote
- Is the fee flat, and does it name the chapter it covers?
- Does the quote say if the court filing fee is extra?
- What happens to the fee if your case turns out harder than first thought?
- Do you pay all before filing, or can you pay in parts?
- Compare the total with the range above: $1,000 to $6,000 per filing for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask about a free first meeting. Some bankruptcy lawyers talk with you at no charge, so you can compare two or three firms before you pick one.
- Get the fee in writing as a flat fee. Ask what it covers so you do not get billed extra for ordinary steps in your case.
- Ask the court clerk if you can pay the court fee in parts. Some courts let people with low income pay it over time.
- Ask which chapter fits you before you decide. Chapter 7 lawyer fees are lower, but only a lawyer can tell you which one suits your case.
- Gather your papers first, such as pay stubs, tax returns, and a list of debts. A ready file saves the lawyer time and may keep the bill down.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from ERB Learn, MoneyLion and LegalZoom. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in 2026?
Sources put the lawyer fee at $1,000 to $6,000. LegalZoom lists $1,000 to $3,000 for Chapter 7 and $2,500 to $5,000 for Chapter 13.
Is the court fee part of the lawyer fee?
No. It is a separate cost. MoneyLion lists $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13.
How much does Chapter 13 cost?
ERB Learn lists lawyer fees of $3,000 to $6,000. MoneyLion lists a total of about $2,813 to $5,400 with the court fee.
Do I pay the lawyer before I file?
LegalZoom says Chapter 7 fees are usually paid in full before filing. In Chapter 13, the rest is often added into the repayment plan.
Do I need counseling first?
Yes, credit counseling and a debtor class are part of the process. MoneyLion lists them at about $0 to $100 together.