How much does it cost to file bankruptcy without a lawyer?
Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | |
Filing fees | $338 | $313 |
Attorney fees* | $500 - $3,500 | $1,500 - $6,000 |
Total | $838 - $3,838 | $1,813 - $6,313 |
Apr 24, 2022 · The price of a personal bankruptcy attorney in New York is around $1,257.50 (Low: $ 965.00. High: $ 1,550.00 ). These prices are above the national average. This information is provided by multiple service providers and open marketplaces.
New York bankruptcy lawyers who charge an hourly fee typically break down the hour into either 15-minute or 6-minute increments. That may sound like a small difference, but it adds up. Take, for example, a 5-minute phone call. A lawyer who charges $200 an hour in 15-minute increments will want $50 for that 5-minute conversations, while a lawyer ...
My fees for a Chapter 7 usually range from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the complexity of the case. Larger offices often charge up to $10,000 for a consumer Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you live in New York and are interested a free bankruptcy consultation please call 212-244-2882 anytime.
What is the same is the filing price. The filing fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New York costs around $335 to the court (additional attorney’s fees vary). The filing fees for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York are about $274 to the court (additional attorney’s fees vary). Those expenses may seem small, especially if you know the benefits ...
Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | |
---|---|---|
Filing fees | $338 | $313 |
Attorney fees* | $500 - $3,500 | $1,500 - $6,000 |
Total | $838 - $3,838 | $1,813 - $6,313 |
Whether you are from Brooklyn or Albany or any other part of the state, if you decide to hire an attorney by the hour, you will probably have to pay a retainer fee, which is like a down payment. From then on, you'll likely receive monthly statements for the hours your lawyer worked on your filing.
Attorneys who handle routine matters, such as writing a will or filing bankruptcies, sometimes charge one flat fee instead of billing hourly. If you decide to hire a New York bankruptcy attorney for a flat fee, you should be clear on what's included and what is not. Often, related legal expenses, such as court filing fees, are not included.
As you can now see, you should ask a number of questions about legal fees and expenses while interviewing lawyers to hire. Here are some questions to ask that should help you get a handle on how much it may cost to file bankruptcy:
The answer depends on whether you file pro se (without an attorney), with an attorney or pay a petition preparer to prepare your paperwork. I will try to outline the typical costs for each:
The filing fees recently increased to $306 for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, $281 for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy and $1,213 for a Chapter 11 filing.
In order to obtain a bankruptcy discharge the Credit Counseling course must be taken before a case is filed and the debtor education must be taken after a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case is filed. These courses can range from $0 to $500 each depending on where they are taken.
In my opinion a credit report is one of the most valuable tools necessary to prepare a consumer bankruptcy petition. At my office we use a company called A Suite Solution, which provides an ultra comprehensive 3-bureau credit report as well as a thorough public records search.
If you are looking for the cheapest way to file for bankruptcy, you can file pro se or without an attorney. If you prepare your own paperwork the process is free. If you have a petition preparer your case will not be free. I have heard that these preparers charge from $200 to $2000 to “construct” your paperwork.
Legal fees vary from attorney to attorney. However, you should know a few things. First, all bankruptcy attorneys are required to report their legal fees charged for each case to the US Trustee. If the fee is too high they may be required to refund it to the client.
What is the same is the filing price. The filing fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy in New York costs around $335 to the court (additional attorney’s fees vary).
One of the key advantages in filing bankruptcy is making certain property exempt. New York law, for example, allows protection of your home, car, and other properties to a certain extent. But this is where it can be complicated and where the right attorney can help.
Bankruptcy is a good alternative to losing all your possessions, but with the new laws making it harder to file in certain cases, hiring professional bankruptcy attorneys can save you a lot of time and money. It isn't always a good choice to file bankruptcy.
Experience doesn’t translate into competence – just because you’ve been doing something for a long time doesn’t necessarily mean you’re any good at it.
You’re going to want to make a few phone calls to get a sense for the attorney as well as the way they run their practice.
Lots of bankruptcy attorneys in New York offer free consultations in one form or another. That consultation is typically a very broad overview of bankruptcy options, and seldom a deep dive into your specific problem.
These fees are valid as of 4/20/2015, and are subject to change. Visit the bankruptcy court's website for the most recent information.
These fees are valid as of 12/01/2014, and are subject to change. Visit the bankruptcy court's website for the most recent information.
The Law Office of Simon Goldenberg limits it's practice of bankruptcy to the Eastern & Southern Districts of New York. For the applicable fees in the Northern and Western District's of New York, visit their courts website.