- How much does a Chapter 7 bankruptcy cost? The fee paid to the United States Bankruptcy Court for filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case is presently $299, but is subject to change, so be sure to ask your attorney what the current filing fees are. If you are represented by an attorney, you will have to pay an additional fee for legal services. The fees charged by attorneys are not uniform and vary from place to place and from attorney to attorney.
- How much does a Chapter 13 bankruptcy cost? The fee paid to the United States Bankruptcy Court for filing a Chapter 13 case is presently $274, but is subject to change, so be sure to ask your attorney what the current filing fees are. If you are represented by an attorney, you will have to pay an additional fee for his or her legal services. The fees charged by attorneys in Chapter 13 cases are also not uniform and vary from place to place and attorney to attorney, but they are generally higher than those charged for Chapter 7 cases.
- Do I need an attorney to file for bankruptcy? You are not required to be represented by an attorney, but the advice of an attorney is generally helpful in understanding your rights and the consequences of your bankruptcy case, particularly in light of the recent changes to bankruptcy law. If you decide to file a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, the advice and assistance of an experienced bankruptcy attorney is generally a worthwhile expense.
- Are there less expensive alternatives to hiring an attorney? So-called “bankruptcy petition preparers” offer services in some areas of the country or over the Internet. Although their fees are usually lower than those of attorneys, bankruptcy petition preparers are generally not attorneys and are, therefore, not permitted to give you legal advice or represent you in court should there be problems with your case. If you are a person with very limited means, in some states or cities you may be able to obtain the services of an attorney who will represent you without charge on a pro bono basis through a legal aid bureau or local bar association.
- Can I keep my credit cards after filing? Whether you will continue to have and use any given credit card account is up to the issuer of the card. Some issuers may permit you to keep your account if you “reaffirm” payment of your debt to the issuer. There may be other alternatives available, such as secured or guaranteed payment cards that function more like debit than credit cards.
- Can I be fired for declaring bankruptcy? The Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits termination of employment or discrimination with respect to employment solely because an individual (1) has filed a bankruptcy case, (2) has been insolvent before the case was filed, or (3) has not paid a discharged debt.
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