Bankruptcy Filing Cost: What to Expect in 2026

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Filing triggers something called an automatic stay, a court order that stops most collection calls, wage garnishments, and pending lawsuits the moment your petition is filed. A Chapter 7 case usually discharges debt within a few months, while Chapter 13 sets up a three- to five-year repayment plan instead. The mark on your credit report outlasts the process itself, 10 years for Chapter 7 and 7 for Chapter 13, though most filers rebuild to a fair or good score within two to three years of using credit responsibly again. Because the filing cost is a one-time expense even though its effects stretch out for years, this calculator weighs what you enter against roughly three months of your budget rather than a single month's income.

These key factors affect bankruptcy filing affordability

Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13

Chapter 7 liquidates non-exempt assets to discharge most unsecured debt within a few months, typically for $1,000 to $1,500 in attorney and court fees combined. Chapter 13 is a longer commitment, a three- to five-year repayment plan that usually runs $3,000 to $4,000, paid through the plan itself rather than upfront. On top of whichever fee an attorney quotes, the bankruptcy court adds its own filing fee, currently $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. Which chapter you even qualify for comes down to a means test comparing your income against your state's median for a household your size.

How it affects your credit

Expect a sharp drop right after filing, and a mark that stays on your credit report for 10 years under Chapter 7 or 7 years under Chapter 13. That said, most people are back to a fair or good score within two to three years of using credit responsibly again, partly because lenders recognize that a completed bankruptcy at least clears out the debt that caused the damage in the first place.

What debt actually gets discharged

Credit card balances, medical bills, and most personal loans are typically wiped out. Student loans, most tax debt, child support, and alimony generally are not, though student loans are less of an absolute exception than they used to be: updated Department of Justice guidance issued in late 2022 made it meaningfully easier to get federal student loans discharged in cases of genuine, ongoing financial hardship. Worth confirming which of your specific debts would actually be erased before deciding the filing cost is worth it.

How to use your results

Compare the filing cost to how much debt would actually be discharged, not just your total balances
Factor in the required credit counseling course, which is a prerequisite for filing
Consider the ongoing cost of a Chapter 13 repayment plan, not just the upfront filing fee

Ways to make filing for bankruptcy more affordable

Check for free or reduced-fee legal aid clinics that handle bankruptcy filings for low-income filers
Ask attorneys about flat-fee arrangements instead of hourly billing
Complete the mandatory credit counseling course through an approved low-cost agency
Compare the total cost of filing against alternatives like a debt management plan or negotiated settlements

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Peer comparison data

Bureau of Labor Statistics (median income by age), Experian (credit score by age)

Used by the “how you compare” figures in the sidebar, not by the costs on this page.

Every figure on this site, with its source and the date it was last verified