Bankruptcy Lawyer Costs (2026)
Bankruptcy lawyers help individuals and businesses eliminate or restructure debt. Attorney fees vary by chapter and case complexity.
Bankruptcy Services & Costs
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Cost
$1,000 - $3,500
Flat Fee ($1,000-$2,000)
Chapter 7 bankruptcy eliminates most unsecured debts in 3-4 months. It's the most common type of consumer bankruptcy.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Cost
$2,500 - $6,000
Flat Fee ($2,500-$6,000)
Chapter 13 bankruptcy reorganizes debts into a 3-5 year repayment plan, allowing you to keep property while catching up on secured debts.
Business Bankruptcy Cost
$10,000 - $100,000
Hourly ($250-$500/hr)
Business bankruptcy options include Chapter 7 (liquidation), Chapter 11 (reorganization), and Subchapter V (small business). Costs scale with business size.
Debt Negotiation Lawyer Cost
$500 - $5,000
Flat Fee or Percentage (15-25%)
Debt negotiation lawyers negotiate with creditors to reduce what you owe, often settling debts for 40-60 cents on the dollar without filing bankruptcy.
Creditor Harassment Lawyer Cost
$0 - $2,000
Free (FDCPA fee shifting)
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) requires abusive debt collectors to pay your attorney fees if they violate the law. Many lawyers take these cases for free.
Wage Garnishment Defense Cost
$500 - $3,000
Flat Fee ($500-$3,000)
Wage garnishment takes 25% or more of your paycheck. Lawyers can challenge the garnishment, negotiate reductions, or stop it through bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy Alternatives Cost
$0 - $5,000
Varies
Before filing bankruptcy, explore alternatives including debt negotiation, credit counseling, debt management plans, and debt consolidation loans.
Common Questions About Bankruptcy Costs
How much does Chapter 7 bankruptcy cost?
Attorney fees: $1,000-$2,000. Court filing: $338. Credit counseling: $30-$50. Total: $1,368-$2,388.
How much does Chapter 13 bankruptcy cost?
Attorney fees: $2,500-$6,000 (often paid through the plan). Filing fee: $313. Total: $2,813-$6,313.
How much does business bankruptcy cost?
Small business Chapter 7: $10,000-$25,000. Subchapter V: $15,000-$50,000. Full Chapter 11: $50,000-$100,000+.
How much does debt negotiation cost?
Attorney fees: $500-$5,000 or 15-25% of total debt reduced. Some charge per creditor ($200-$500 each).
How much does a creditor harassment lawyer cost?
Often FREE. The FDCPA requires violating debt collectors to pay your attorney fees plus $1,000 in statutory damages.
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