A bankruptcy lawyer costs about $1,000 to $2,500 for Chapter 7 in 2026
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer costs about $1,000 to $2,500 in 2026, and most charge a flat fee. Chapter 13 costs more, about $3,000 to $5,000 or more, because the case runs 3 to 5 years. The court filing fee is separate, at $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13.
What a bankruptcy lawyer costs
| Chapter 7 attorney fee | $1,000 to $2,500 |
|---|---|
| Chapter 7, national average, one guide | About $1,650 |
| Chapter 7, other guides | $1,000 to $3,500 |
| Chapter 13 attorney fee | $3,000 to $5,000+ |
| Chapter 13, other guides | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Chapter 11 small business | $10,000 to $50,000+ |
| Court filing fee, Chapter 7 | $338 |
| Court filing fee, Chapter 13 | $313 |
| Credit counseling course, each | $20 to $50 |
| Total, Chapter 7 with a lawyer | $1,400 to $2,900 |
| Hourly rate, if billed by the hour | $250 to $500 |
Guides differ, so check your own area. Attorney fees in consumer bankruptcy are flat fees in most cases, and the court reviews them. Sources: Legal Fee Guide, how much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in 2026 (September 2026); LocalAttorneyFees.com, bankruptcy lawyer fees (August 2026); Upsolve, how much does it cost to file bankruptcy (January 2026); UseCalcPro, bankruptcy lawyer cost calculator (September 2026); LegalZoom, how much does it cost to file bankruptcy (January 2026).
What changes your price
- The chapter. Chapter 7 costs less. Chapter 13 needs more work and costs more.
- How complex your case is. More creditors, property or income to review raises the price.
- Your city. UseCalcPro says lawyers in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco run 30 to 40 percent above the national average.
- Your lawyer. Experience and how busy the lawyer is change the quote.
- Your court. Chapter 13 fees are often set by a standard fee in your district.
- Business cases. A Chapter 11 small business case costs far more.
How the fee is paid
In Chapter 7, LocalAttorneyFees says the fee is usually paid in full before the case is filed, because an unpaid fee would be wiped out by the discharge. Some firms offer a monthly plan after filing, says Legal Fee Guide. In Chapter 13, most of the lawyer fee is usually paid through your 3 to 5 year repayment plan.
LegalZoom says a bankruptcy lawyer must tell the court what you paid and can only charge a fee the court sees as reasonable for the work. Debt.org adds that these fees are public record on the federal PACER system.
Prices are lower in some cities. Ascend puts Chapter 7 lawyer fees in New York at $795 to $2,400, with about $1,950 in New York City, $1,450 in Buffalo and $1,170 in Rochester. It puts Chapter 13 in New York at $3,500 to $7,500. Debt.org cites $1,500 to $2,000 for Chapter 7 in Los Angeles. Sources: LocalAttorneyFees.com, bankruptcy lawyer fees (August 2026); Legal Fee Guide, how much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost in 2026 (September 2026); LegalZoom, how much does it cost to file bankruptcy (January 2026); Debt.org, how much does it cost to file bankruptcy (July 2026); Ascend, Chapter 7 lawyer fees in New York (March 2026).
Court fees are separate
The court filing fee goes to the court, not your lawyer, and federal law sets it. See our Chapter 7 filing fee, Chapter 13 filing fee and bankruptcy court fees pages.
If your debt includes taxes, our tax attorney page shows what those lawyers charge.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask if the fee is flat or hourly, and what it covers.
- Ask if the court filing fee and credit counseling are included.
- Ask when the fee is due, and if there is a payment plan.
- Ask what happens if your case turns out to be more complex.
- Compare with $1,000 to $2,500 for Chapter 7, or $3,000 to $5,000 or more for Chapter 13.
Ways to pay less
- Ask the court about a fee waiver. Legal Fee Guide says people below 150 percent of the federal poverty line can ask for one in Chapter 7.
- If you cannot pay the filing fee at once, Nolo says you can ask to pay it in four installments.
- Meet with several lawyers before you choose, says Debt.org.
- Look up what lawyers in your area actually charged on PACER, says Debt.org.
- Upsolve says filing on your own with fee waivers can cost little or nothing.
How we got these numbers
Lawyers set their own prices. The ranges come from 2026 legal guides and one 2025 guide, as dated below. Some sources sell legal help, so treat them as asking prices. We do not add our own guesses. This is not legal advice. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does a bankruptcy lawyer cost?
About $1,000 to $2,500 for Chapter 7 and $3,000 to $5,000 or more for Chapter 13 in 2026.
How much is the bankruptcy court filing fee?
$338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, paid to the court.
Can I pay a bankruptcy lawyer in payments?
In Chapter 7 the fee is usually paid before filing, though some firms offer a plan. In Chapter 13 most of it is paid through your repayment plan.
Can I file for bankruptcy without a lawyer?
Yes. Upsolve says filing on your own with fee waivers can cost little or nothing. Talk to a lawyer first if your case is complex.