how much bankruptcy cost
What is average in your area might not be so average in another area. Attorney fees vary by district and can even vary widely from state to state. A recent study using data from 2005 to 2009 shows that the average fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, nationally, is between $1,080 and $1,200. But when it was broken down by state, the average fee was as low as $700 in Idaho and as high as $1,530 in Arizona.
The cost of filing for bankruptcy is set by federal law, not state law. So the filing fees are the same in every state: $335 to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and $310 to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If you can't afford to pay the fee all at once, you can ask the bankruptcy court for permission to pay the fee in up to four installments. If you file under Chapter 7, you can also ask the court to waive the fee altogether. (This option isn't available in Chapter 13.) If you hire a lawyer, you will have to pay attorney fees as well.