Chapter 7 Fees
The filing fees/court costs for a Chapter 7 case are $306.00 regardless of whether an individual files along or a married couple files jointly. This is the money that is paid to the Bankruptcy Court.
The attorney’s fees for a Chapter 7 case vary depending upon the complexity of the case but typically total $1,000.00.
The attorney’s fees for a Chapter 7 case and the filing/court costs must be paid in full prior to the filing of a Chapter 7 case, although upon the payment of a $300.00 portion of the attorney’s fees the attorney may be retained. Upon the client’s retention of the attorney, the client may refer all communications from creditors to the attorney.
Chapter 13 Fees
The filing fees/court costs for a Chapter 13 case are $281.00. This is the money that is paid to the Bankruptcy Court.
The attorney’s fees for a Chapter 13 case which must be paid prior to the filing of the case are typically $850.00.
Unlike the Chapter 7 case in which all the attorney’s fees are paid prior to the filing of the case, in a Chapter 13 case the Bankruptcy Court awards attorney’s fees which are paid by the Chapter 13 Trustee after the filing of the case. For a client who has paid a retainer fee of $850.00, these fees total $1150.00 within the first year of the Chapter 13 bankruptcy and $2000.00 to be paid after the first year of the Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.