Remember That Cost Is Not Everything
The cost of bankruptcy is only ONE aspect to consider when searching for an attorney. A good bankruptcy law office will be friendly, approachable, knowledgeable, and supportive. If you do not feel good about a situation, then you may have a much better experience with another office. Remember, finding the lowest cost bankruptcy provider in Indiana probably should not be your goal: find a good overall office that give you an affordable, fair price one that you can trust that makes you feel comfortable.
The First Consultation Is Free
We encourage you to contact us for a no-risk, no-obligation consultation. We will review your situation and give you straightforward information about the bankruptcy process, including an estimated cost.
Good legal help should never be out of reach. We represent people throughout Wisconsin, with law offices conveniently located in Milwaukee, Madison and Kenosha. Please call us at or send us an email.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.
Is Chapter 7 A Good Option For Low
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the cheapest way to file bankruptcy because there are ways to reduce or waive costs. If someone has no tangible assets, their filing fee and/or bankruptcy court fee waived. If the case is obvious and simple, they could attempt to get through it without an attorney, thus saving that fee.
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The Higher Range Of Bankruptcy Cost In The Indianapolis Area
The higher end of the spectrum on Chapter 7 bankruptcy is when bankruptcy attorneys charge more in the $1700-$3000 range. Although fees in this range are usually considered fair and appropriate as deemed by the governing body on such matters , it may be possible that you could find a more affordable option for your bankruptcy in such cases. Do keep in mind, however, that the complexity of a case can affect the type and price of the bankruptcy representation you may need.
How Can Filing For Chapter 7 Help Me
- As soon as we file for bankruptcy something called an “automatic stay” is put into effect. This means that no creditor is allowed to contact you anymore. Finally, the annoying and harassing phone calls will stop. Also, creditors cant sue you or garnish any of your wages. The automatic stay is put into effect automatically once we file.
- Chapter 7 completely gets rid of your credit card debt, medical bills, utility bills, civil judgments, and any other unsecured debt you have.
- Chapter 7 can stop utility shut offs automatically.
- If you want to keep your car you may be able to negotiate better payment plan.
- If a creditor has garnished more than $600 from you within 90 days of filing the bankruptcy, you can usually get that money back.
- You can finally have a fresh start and this hard time will be a distant memory for you!
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Bankruptcy Cost Of Credit Counseling And Debtor Education
Since 2005, in order to get a discharge of your debts youll have to complete both a credit counseling and debtor education course. Ill save the particulars of how it works for another post but most approved courses charge between $20-$50. Just like most things, some places will rip you off and some might be free if you qualify. Please dont spend more than $10, however, on a debtor education course before calling us. Well be able to refer you to a couple approved places will keep your bankruptcy cost to a minimum. 237-7979
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How Much Does A Lawyer Charge For Chapter 7
The average cost nationwide is probably around $1,500, but itâs really impossible to tell what that means for you. An experienced bankruptcy lawyer will meet you for a free consultation so they can learn more about your situation. At the end of this meeting, theyâll have an idea of how complex your case is and will quote you a fee based on that.
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Local Bankruptcy Attorneys And The Best Local Bankruptcy Lawyers
It doesnt have to be the end it could just be the start. You dont have to go through this fight on your own. If you have so much debt that you cant keep your head above water, you might want to talk to a bankruptcy law firm right now.
Its never good to stay in debt. If you dont fight your creditors, they might take your house, car, bank accounts, and other investments. The sooner you start getting your finances back on track, the better your peace of mind will be.
If you are ready to stop being buried in debt, bankruptcy may be the answer.
We can help you get out of your financial trouble, whether you are facing foreclosure or need to restructure your debts. We know how important it is for our clients to get out of debt, so we work very hard to make that happen.
Average Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Attorney Fees
Under Chapter 7, youll surrender all of your non-exempt property to the Bankruptcy Trustee. Bankruptcy exemptions vary by district and some give more protection than others. The Trustee will sell that property and use the proceeds to pay your creditors. At the end of the process, your remaining unsecured debt is discharged, which means its forgiven.
When you file under Chapter 7, youll generally have to pay up-front. Nationwide, the average attorney fee for a Chapter 7 case is $1,250. That cost may vary significantly by market. You can generally expect to pay more in a large metro area than in a small town. In addition to your location, the complexity of your case and the quality of your attorney, if were being honest may affect your fees. If youre filing a relatively simple no asset case , youll pay less than you would for a complex case which is more likely to result in litigation. The cost will also vary based on the experience level and professional reputation of the attorney. An experienced attorney in a well-established firm will charge more than a fresh law school graduate.
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Filing For Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows debtors to pay all or a portion of their attorneys’ fees through their repayment plan, which can be great if you can’t pay all the attorney fees upfront. But this chapter doesn’t work for everyone. It’s primarily for debtors who can afford to pay back a certain amount of their credit card balances and other unsecured debt. Or for filers who need to catch up on mortgage arrears, back car loan payments, or tax debts. If you don’t have enough income to afford to pay into a Chapter 13 plan, you won’t qualify.
Further, some bankruptcy courts don’t allow Chapter 13 cases designed to pay only attorney fees through the planand the reasoning makes sense. You would have to pay the Chapter 13 bankruptcy trustee a percentage that you wouldn’t pay in Chapter 7 so financing fees via Chapter 13 are more costly than it might seem. Other courts don’t automatically prohibit fee-only Chapter 13 bankruptcies but consider any particular circumstances surrounding the case before deciding whether to allow it as in the best interests of the filer.
What Are Other Possible Bankruptcy Fees
We now know that attorneys may charge more for complications. Your average bankruptcy case doesnt have any most are fairly straightforward. Youll file, youll either surrender your assets or work out a payment plan, youll get your discharge, and youll go on your merry way. However, not every case is so simple.
Bankruptcy isnt just about filing forms. Theres a lot of room for litigation, especially surrounding Chapter 7 exemptions. So, while attorney fees for an easy, open-and-shut Chapter 7 case will fall around $900-$1,500, most firms will charge more if court time becomes necessary.
For example, say the Bankruptcy Trustee objects to your valuation of some property you want to exempt. That question will have to be resolved in front of a judge. Your attorney will have to prepare a defense and appear in court, which will probably cost you a few hundred dollars extra. If someone files an adversary proceeding in your case , youre looking at a lot of research, preparation for a whole case, and plenty of court time. The bill for an adversary proceeding may well be in excess of $10,000.
Of course, these scenarios are relatively rare. Most cases proceed smoothly if you have a competent lawyer. However, the scenarios above are possible and you should be aware of them as you calculate the probable cost of your bankruptcy.
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How To File Chapter 7 With No Money If Youre Not Eligible For A Filing Fee Waiver
If your household income exceeds 150% of the federal poverty line, you may still easily pass the means test and qualify for debt relief under Chapter 7, but you wonât be eligible for a filing fee waiver from the bankruptcy court.
If youâre subject to a garnishment, it may be impossible to come up with $338 all at one. In that case, you can ask the court for a payment plan to pay the court filing fee. You submit the payment plan application along with your bankruptcy petition and a down payment . The automatic stay will kick in and the wage garnishment will have to stop. That will then give you the chance to pay the rest of the court filing fee so your bankruptcy case can continue.
Avoid Bankruptcy By Communicating With Creditorsget Help To Stop Collection Calls
There are a lot of situations where once a creditor is fully aware of someones circumstance, they no longer actively attempt to collect what is owed. There are effective ways to communicate with creditors to ask them to help you, which will stop collection calls. After the statute of limitation has been reached, a debt can no longer be legally collected.
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You Can Avoid Attorney Fees By Filing Without A Bankruptcy Attorney
You donât have to hire a bankruptcy lawyer to file your case. Bankruptcy law allows individuals to file without one . You can complete the bankruptcy forms on your own or with Upsolveâs free web tool. Thatâs not to say that filing without a lawyer is always the best way to go. While the typical Chapter 7 bankruptcy process is pretty straightforward, if your financial situation is more complicated, hiring a lawyer may help you save money in the long run.
If you donât want to file on your own and youâre eligible for a filing fee waiver from the bankruptcy court, you may qualify for free help from a local legal aid organization.
The Lower Range Of Bankruptcy Cost In The Indianapolis Area
The most affordable end of the spectrum for Indianapolis Bankruptcy is usually when the attorneys charge $1000 or less for the attorney fees. A low cost bankruptcy in Indianapolis may cost between $500-$1000 for the attorney fees, not including the $335 court cost. Most of these attorneys charge $800-$1000 less than this price is not very common and could only be available for limited situations. If you have encountered a good bankruptcy attorney office that is charging in this range, you have probably found the best possible low cost bankruptcy range.
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Find An Affordable Attorney With An Installment Plan Before Filing Chapter 7
Some bankruptcy lawyers offer installment plans before filing Chapter 7. The attorneys office handles telephone calls from your creditors and begins working on your bankruptcy forms while you pay weekly or monthly payments to the law firm.
When you pay the fees and costs in full, the law firm files your bankruptcy case.
The Automatic Stay: Delaying Foreclosure
When you file either a Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the court automatically issues an order that includes a wonderful thing known as the automatic stay. The automatic stay directs your creditors to cease their collection activities immediately, no excuses. If your home is scheduled for a foreclosure sale, the sale will be legally postponed while the bankruptcy is pendingtypically for three to four months with some exceptions.
We offer a one hour free legal consultation and we provide foreclosure prevention help so call us to schedule an appointment with a foreclosure attorney now at 559-485-2535.
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Free Clinics Legal Aid And Pro Bono Attorneys
Resources are available to debtors who can’t afford a bankruptcy attorney, but they vary depending on where you live. Some bankruptcy courts have free clinics to help debtors file for bankruptcy relief on their own. Contact your bankruptcy court to determine the services it offers or a list of free services or programs available in your area.
In most states, legal aid societies and pro bono attorneys provide free legal services or assistance to low-income individuals. Contact your local legal aid society, state bar, or local bankruptcy lawyers to find out about aid for people who wish to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy but can’t afford an attorney.
Additional Fees And Costs When Filing Bankruptcy
Here are a few other expenses youll likely have to pay for when you file Chapter 7.
Filing fees.In addition to the fees you pay your attorney, youll have to pay the bankruptcy courts filing fee of $338 unless you qualify for a waiver because you earn no more than 150% of the national poverty guidelines.
Bankruptcy counseling course fees. Everyone filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy must take two bankruptcy counseling courses: one before filing and another afterward. These courses should cost about $60 or less. Discounted courses are available for low-income people.
Litigation fees and costs. If your bankruptcy case ends up in litigation, you’ll owe your attorney more money. According to our survey, the vast majority of Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases moved through the process without incident. However, not all cases do. In a small percentage of cases, a creditor will object to the bankruptcy court’s discharging a debt on the grounds of fraud .
If a creditor files an adversary proceeding for fraud , youll need to pay your bankruptcy attorney additional fees to oppose the adversary proceeding on your behalf. Your regular bankruptcy fee does not include representing you in this type of litigation.
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Where To File For Bankruptcy
Generally, you must file your bankruptcy case in the judicial district and state where you live or have your domicile. Your domicile is kind of like your permanent residence: It’s the place where you receive mail, are registered to vote, get your driver’s license, and intend to live permanently, even if you are temporarily living elsewhere .
Some states have only one bankruptcy district others have two, three, or four districts. To find the closest bankruptcy court, go to Bankruptcy in Your State and select your state from the list. There, you’ll find information on your state’s bankruptcy courts, including links to each district’s website. Or use the federal Court Finder tool.
Have A Michigan Bankruptcy Attorney Evaluate Your Chapter 7 Eligibility
The Adler Law Firm PLLC in Detroit, Michigan offers FREE consultations to help people in need decide if bankruptcy is right for them. If youre even considering bankruptcy in or near Detroit, MI, The Adler Law Firm can help show you the various options, such as Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, and help you navigate the complexities and ramifications of each. We also offer some of the most affordable prices in the Detroit Metro area without compromising on quality. Contact Us today!
Are you interested in a free consultation? At Adler Law Firm, we guarantee a successful Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Michigan or your money back* .
Want to learn more about the bankruptcy process and what you need to file? Get Started.
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Higher Income And Assets Can Mean Higher Attorneys’ Fees
Your attorney may charge you a higher fee if any of the following statements are true about your income or property :
- You make more than the median income in your state for your households size.
- You have multiple sources of income.
- You have a retirement account or a pension plan.
- Youre filing a business bankruptcy .
- Your case is an “asset case” .
- You have equity in your house, car, or other assets .
- You want to keep more property than you can exempt in bankruptcy under your states exemption statutes.
In our survey, readers in households with more than $6,000 in income per month reported paying average attorneys’ fees of $300 more than the overall average.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees And Other Costs
Bankruptcy court fees depend largely on the kind of bankruptcy.
For both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, youll be responsible for paying fees just to have the bankruptcy court hear your case. These can include
- Filing fee The cost to file for Chapter 7 is $335, and $310 for Chapter 13.
- Credit counseling fee If you want to file for bankruptcy, youre required to receive credit counseling first. Many agencies charge a nominal fee for this service, which can cost around $50, according to the Federal Trade Commission. If you cant afford to pay, you may be able to get the fee waived.
- Additional fees You must take a debt education course after you file for bankruptcy in order to get a discharge. The cost can range from $50 to $100, according to the FTC. If you cant afford the fee, you may be able to get the provider to lower its fee or waive it completely.
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