Bankruptcy has real costs, but they are often far less than the debt you are trying to eliminate. Here is a transparent breakdown of every cost you should expect.
| Cost Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $338 | Can pay in installments; fee waiver available |
| Attorney fees | $1,000 - $2,000 | Typical Kansas City range; usually paid upfront |
| Pre-filing credit counseling | $15 - $25 | Required within 180 days before filing |
| Post-filing debtor education | $10 - $25 | Required before discharge |
| Credit report | $0 - $30 | Free from annualcreditreport.com |
| Total estimate | $1,400 - $2,400 |
If your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can apply to have the $338 filing fee waived entirely. For 2026, 150% of poverty for a single person is approximately $22,590. You file the fee waiver application (Official Form 103B) with your petition.
| Cost Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $313 | Can be paid through your plan |
| Attorney fees | $2,500 - $4,000 | Typical KC range; mostly paid through plan |
| Pre-filing credit counseling | $15 - $25 | Required within 180 days before filing |
| Post-filing debtor education | $10 - $25 | Required before discharge |
| Total estimate | $2,900 - $4,400 | Most paid through plan, not upfront |
A major advantage of Chapter 13 is that attorney fees and the filing fee can be included in your repayment plan. You typically need only a small upfront payment (often $0-$500), with the rest paid through your monthly plan payments over 3-5 years. This makes Chapter 13 more accessible when you cannot afford to pay everything before filing.
The filing fee is $338. Attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $2,000. Credit counseling costs about $25-50 total. The total is typically $1,400 to $2,400. Fee waivers are available for low-income filers. National cost comparison.
The filing fee is $313 and attorney fees typically range from $2,500 to $4,000. The key advantage is that most costs can be paid through your repayment plan, so you often need very little money upfront.
The filing fee can be waived in Chapter 7 if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Legal Aid of Western Missouri may provide free representation. Credit counseling agencies sometimes offer reduced fees for low-income filers.
For Chapter 7, most attorneys require full payment before filing. For Chapter 13, attorney fees are typically included in your repayment plan, so you may only need a small upfront payment with the rest paid through monthly plan payments.