Bankruptcy Filing Fees & Process (Chapter 7 & 13)
Bankruptcy is federal, which makes it the one legal process in this guide with uniform fees nationwide: $338 to file Chapter 7 and $313 to file Chapter 13, in every district. What varies by state is the court you file in (your federal judicial district), the median-income figures used in the means test, and state exemption law.
The filing fee is rarely the real cost. Chapter 7 attorney fees commonly run $1,000–$2,500 and Chapter 13 fees $3,000–$5,000 (usually paid through the plan) — market estimates that vary by district. Filing without an attorney is possible in Chapter 7 but statistically much riskier in Chapter 13.
Bankruptcy by state
| State | Chapter 7 fee | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| California | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| Texas | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| Florida | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| New York | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| Pennsylvania | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| Illinois | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| Ohio | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| Georgia | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| North Carolina | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
| Michigan | $338 | 2026-08-24 |
Click a state for the full picture — fees, requirements, process steps, official forms and sources.
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13
Chapter 7 liquidates non-exempt assets (most consumer filers keep everything under exemptions) and discharges qualifying debt in about 3–4 months. Chapter 13 restructures debt into a 3–5 year repayment plan and is the route for filers above the means-test income cutoff or those protecting a home from foreclosure.
Eligibility for Chapter 7 runs through the means test: if your household income is below your state's median, you generally pass. Median figures are published by the U.S. Trustee Program and updated periodically — the current tables apply to cases filed on or after April 1, 2026.
Two mandatory courses
Before filing you must complete a credit-counseling briefing from a U.S. Trustee–approved agency (within 180 days before the petition). After filing, a separate debtor-education course is required before discharge. Both lists live on justice.gov/ust; the courses typically cost $10–$50 each and fee waivers exist.
State guides
- Filing Bankruptcy in California: Fees, Courts & Process — California
- Filing Bankruptcy in Texas: Fees, Courts & Process — Texas
- Filing Bankruptcy in Florida: Fees, Courts & Process — Florida
- Filing Bankruptcy in New York: Fees, Courts & Process — New York
- Filing Bankruptcy in Pennsylvania: Fees, Courts & Process — Pennsylvania
- Filing Bankruptcy in Illinois: Fees, Courts & Process — Illinois
- Filing Bankruptcy in Ohio: Fees, Courts & Process — Ohio
- Filing Bankruptcy in Georgia: Fees, Courts & Process — Georgia
- Filing Bankruptcy in North Carolina: Fees, Courts & Process — North Carolina
- Filing Bankruptcy in Michigan: Fees, Courts & Process — Michigan
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.