How much does bankruptcy cost?

Filing fees are $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending on the chapter and complexity. Fee waivers and installment payments are available for those who qualify.

Can I file bankruptcy if I can't afford an attorney?

Yes. You can file pro se (without an attorney), apply for a fee waiver to eliminate the filing fee, or pay the filing fee in installments. Some legal aid organizations also provide free bankruptcy assistance.

Are there hidden fees in bankruptcy?

The main costs are the filing fee, attorney fee, and credit counseling courses (about $20-50 total). Some attorneys charge extra for adversary proceedings or plan modifications, so ask for a complete fee breakdown upfront.

What is the cheapest way to file bankruptcy?

The cheapest option is filing pro se with a fee waiver, which costs nothing. If you hire an attorney, Chapter 7 is generally less expensive than Chapter 13. Always compare quotes from multiple attorneys.

Can I pay bankruptcy attorney fees in installments?

Most bankruptcy attorneys accept payment plans. In Chapter 13, attorney fees can even be paid through your repayment plan. In Chapter 7, many attorneys require full payment before filing, but installment arrangements are common.

Impact - Open Bankruptcy Project

By the Numbers

4.9M Cases Screened

94 Districts Covered

391,951 Repeat Filers Identified

264 Section 1328(f) Violations Found

75+ Free Domains

2,000+ Free Pages

209 GitHub Cloners - First Week

8,800+ Reddit Upvotes

26-BK-3 Rules Committee Submission

$0 Cost to Every User

Timeline

March 2026

Screener launched. The discharge eligibility screener goes live on 1328f.com, powered by 4.9 million FJC cases running entirely in the browser. No server, no sign-up, no cost.

March 2026

Domain network acquired. 75+ domains covering major sections of the Bankruptcy Code, each hosting free plain-language guides and tools.

March 23, 2026

Rules Committee submission accepted. Suggestion 26-BK-3 accepted by the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules - proposing automated Section 1328(f) discharge bar screening.

March 27, 2026

Nonprofit incorporated. Open Bankruptcy Project files as a Missouri nonprofit corporation.

Pending

501(c)(3) determination. Application for federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3).

Pending

Google Ad Grants. $10,000/month in free search advertising to reach people searching for bankruptcy information.

Pending

PACER fee exemption. Application for fee-exempt PACER access to expand case monitoring and make all accessed records permanently free through RECAP.

RECAP: Making PACER Free

Every page we access through PACER becomes permanently free through RECAP. The RECAP archive - maintained by the Free Law Project - makes federal court documents freely available to the public. Every docket we pull, every document we download, is automatically contributed back. Our research does not just produce reports - it expands the public record. See the indexed cases at /cases/.