total avg ~ $1,900 includes attorney fees + $338 court filing fee + credit counseling. Lawyer fees vary widely by state. Below typical ranges (2026 data based on state tables).
📌 mandatory credit counseling (~$25) and debtor education course (~$25) are separate.
higher legal fees Chapter 13 involves plan preparation, confirmation hearings, more attorney time. Court filing fee is slightly lower, but total cost is higher.
Chapter 7 Chapter 13 average attorney fee estimates (excluding court costs). Data compiled from state tables, plus Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, etc.
| State | Chapter 7 (lawyer fee) | Chapter 13 (lawyer fee) | notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,350 | $3,200 | low cost of living |
| Alaska | $1,800 | $4,300 | higher operational costs |
| Arizona | $1,450 | $3,600 | Phoenix average |
| Arkansas | $1,250 | $3,100 | below national avg |
| California | $1,950 | $4,800 | SF/LA higher |
| Colorado | $1,550 | $3,900 | Denver metro |
| Connecticut | $1,850 | $4,400 | high hourly rates |
| Delaware | $2,150 | $5,200 | highest bankruptcy costs (corporate) |
| Florida | $1,500 | $3,800 | Miami/Orlando vary |
| Georgia | $1,450 | $3,700 | Atlanta rates |
| Hawaii | $2,050 | $4,900 | high cost island |
| Idaho | $1,350 | $3,200 | |
| Illinois | $1,650 | $4,100 | Chicago premium |
| Indiana | $1,300 | $3,200 | |
| Iowa | $1,200 | $3,000 | |
| Kansas | $1,250 | $3,150 | |
| Kentucky | $1,200 | $3,000 | |
| Louisiana | $1,300 | $3,250 | |
| Maine | $1,300 | $3,200 | |
| Maryland | $1,550 | $3,900 | DC suburbs high |
| Massachusetts | $1,700 | $4,200 | Boston area |
| Michigan | $1,400 | $3,500 | Detroit |
| Minnesota | $1,450 | $3,600 | Minneapolis |
| Mississippi | $1,100 | $2,800 | lowest region |
| Missouri | $1,350 | $3,400 | |
| Montana | $1,300 | $3,200 | |
| Nebraska | $1,250 | $3,100 | |
| Nevada | $1,500 | $3,800 | Las Vegas |
| New Hampshire | $1,400 | $3,500 | |
| New Jersey | $1,700 | $4,200 | high density |
| New Mexico | $1,300 | $3,200 | |
| New York | $2,000 | $5,000 | NYC metro |
| North Carolina | $1,400 | $3,500 | |
| North Dakota | $1,250 | $3,100 | |
| Ohio | $1,300 | $3,200 | |
| Oklahoma | $1,200 | $3,000 | |
| Oregon | $1,450 | $3,600 | Portland |
| Pennsylvania | $1,400 | $3,500 | Philly/Pittsburgh |
| Rhode Island | $1,500 | $3,700 | |
| South Carolina | $1,300 | $3,200 | |
| South Dakota | $1,200 | $3,000 | |
| Tennessee | $1,300 | $3,200 | |
| Texas | $1,450 | $3,600 | Houston/Dallas avg |
| Utah | $1,400 | $3,500 | |
| Vermont | $1,350 | $3,300 | |
| Virginia | $1,500 | $3,800 | NoVA/DC influence |
| Washington | $1,600 | $4,000 | Seattle |
| West Virginia | $950 | $2,500 | lowest in nation |
| Wisconsin | $1,350 | $3,300 | |
| Wyoming | $1,250 | $3,100 | |
| District of Columbia | $2,200 | $5,300 | highest |
* Fees are estimates based on state-specific lawyer rates, practice area tables (bankruptcy hourly rates: $300–$630). Flat fee ranges reflect 2026 market. Court costs ($338/$313) and courses extra.
$2,150 / $5,200 Delaware Chapter 7 lawyer fees average $2,150, Chapter 13 $5,200. Per practice area table: Bankruptcy hourly rate in Delaware = $630/hour (highest in nation). Many corporate firms, high overhead.
Court filing fee: same $338 (Ch7) / $313 (Ch13). Total estimated Chapter 7 cost ≈ $2,540 including fees/courses. Wilmington area attorneys often charge premium.
💡 Delaware also has highest collection rate for law firms (97%) – bankruptcy attorneys well compensated.
Miami, Tampa, Orlando vary. Miami has higher rates (e.g., criminal law $349/hr, but bankruptcy around $430). Palm Beach county may exceed averages. Florida's overall law firm rate $303/hr (unadjusted).
Bankruptcy hourly rate in Texas ≈ $492 (from practice area table), but flat fees competitive. Chapter 7 average lawyer fee $1,450, Chapter 13 $3,600. Major metros: Houston, Dallas, Austin may be slightly higher; rural areas lower. Court costs same federal.
$1,950 / $4,800 California: Bankruptcy hourly rate ~$544 (practice area). Northern CA (SF, SJ) more expensive than Central Valley. Los Angeles/OC high. Chapter 7 total with court often exceeds $2,300. Some firms offer payment plans.
San Francisco: Ch7 legal fee $2,200+; Los Angeles $2,000. Chapter 13 can reach $5,500 in complex cases.
Yes, federal bankruptcy court filing fees are uniform: Chapter 7 $338, Chapter 13 $313, Chapter 11 $1,738. Some districts may charge small administrative fee (rare).
Delaware has a high concentration of corporate bankruptcy attorneys; hourly rates average $630, and flat fees reflect that. Also high cost of living in Wilmington area.
Most Chapter 7 lawyers require full payment before filing. Chapter 13 fees can sometimes be paid through the plan (with court approval) but many attorneys require a portion upfront.
Yes, two courses: pre‑filing credit counseling (≈$25) and post‑filing debtor education (≈$25). Some providers offer bundled discounts.
West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky have the lowest average lawyer fees (Chapter 7 under $1,200). West Virginia lowest at $950.
Chapter 7 fee can be waived if your income is below 150% of poverty level (Form 103B). Chapter 13 fees cannot be waived.
Bankruptcy lawyer rates in major cities (hourly)
Phoenix: $386 LA: $385 Seattle: $334 Boston: $465 NYC: $460 Chicago: $480 Dallas: $389 Denver: $235 Houston: $354 Miami: $269 Philadelphia: $300 San Francisco: $279
Hourly rates from 8am/MyCase data (bankruptcy specialty). Flat fees usually lower than hourly × estimated hours.
According to 2026 Benchmark Report, average requested retainer for bankruptcy cases was $4,015. This typically covers initial work and is held in trust, billed against as case progresses.
Bankruptcy cost estimates compiled from state practice area tables (州.txt), U.S. Bankruptcy Court fee schedule, 2026 legal trend data, and local averages. Lawyer fees are estimates; actual costs depend on case complexity, district, and attorney experience. Always consult a local bankruptcy attorney.
📌 Court fees effective 2026: Chapter 7 $338, Chapter 13 $313, Chapter 11 $1,738 (28 U.S.C. § 1930).
🔗 U.S. Courts bankruptcy basics · IRS tax rules (alimony reference)