We understand that you are coming to us because you are struggling with debt. The last thing you want is another bill to pay.
When we meet for the free consultation, most people are worried about how they are going to pay for bankruptcy. Rest assured that we will work with you to give you the opportunity for a fresh start.
The Costs of Filing for Bankruptcy
The costs associated with filing for bankruptcy include: attorneys’ fees, a bankruptcy court filing fee, and the cost of mandatory credit counseling and a debtor education course. Below we will cover each cost in detail.
Many of our clients are making monthly payments on debts that will ultimately be erased in their bankruptcy, so they choose to reallocate those funds toward paying for their bankruptcy. At our free consultation we can explore this option together.
Chapter 7 Attorneys’ Fees
We charge a flat fee to file your bankruptcy case. We make sure our clients are never surprised with an unaffordable or outrageous bill.
Before you retain us as your bankruptcy attorney, we will go over the flat-rate attorneys’ fees and what is covered by those fees.
Attorneys’ fees are paid in full before we file your case. We require full payment in advance because as soon as your case is filed, your creditors are not allowed to attempt to collect from you, including us. This means that if we do our job right, we would never be able to collect the attorneys’ fees from you.
Chapter 13 Attorneys’ Fees
In the Southern District of Georgia, the Chapter 13 bankruptcy Attorneys’ fees are set by the court. This is called a “no look” fee. However, unlike with a Chapter 7 filing, we do not collect the attorneys’ fees up front.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy creates a repayment plan of debts, so you are able to pay all attorneys’ fees after your case is filed. Our office can be paid from the monthly payments you make in your repayment plan.
Court Filing Fee
The court filing fee is set by the Bankruptcy Court. Currently the fees are:
- $335 for a Chapter 7 filing
- $310 for a Chapter 13 filing
Mandatory Credit Counseling & Personal Financial Management Course
The U.S. Bankruptcy Code requires that every person who files for bankruptcy complete two courses. The first is credit counseling, that must be completed before filing. The other is a course in personal financial management, that must be completed after filing, but before the Court grants your bankruptcy discharge of debts.
Many of our clients are concerned about these courses. Please know that these courses do not take very much time, and both can be completed online. We will provide you with a list of approved organizations that offer these courses at a reasonable cost.
At our free consultation we will review all of the fees associated with filing for bankruptcy. You will never get a surprise bill from our law office. Call us right now at (912) 351-9000 or use this online form to schedule a free consultation!
The Law Offices of Barbara B. Braziel is located centrally in the Savannah, GA area.
We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
