If you’re filing bankruptcy, chances are you’re looking to save money, not spend it. However, filing bankruptcy costs money-filing fees, court fees, and if you hire an attorney in Ft. Myers to assist you with your case, attorney fees. So how much does it cost to file for bankruptcy? Well, that depends…
As of December 2020, if you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy (the most common form of bankruptcy for individuals) you will pay $338 Court filing fee to declare bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy will cost you $313. If you wish to convert your case to another chapter of bankruptcy, there is conversion fee. There are many variants that determine the filing fees for bankruptcy, you can find a comprehensive list of bankruptcy fees, here.
Beware any attorney or individual who tries to tell you they can help you file for less, it’s more than likely a scam.
Filing bankruptcy in Florida requires that a $338 filing fee be paid to the Florida bankruptcy court. If you cannot pay the fee, you may request a fee waiver from the court. However, to qualify for a fee waiver, your income must be less than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
If you must file quickly but are unable to pay the full filing fee, you must request an application for installment payments. If approved by the court, a down payment may be made toward the full amount and the balance may be paid in installments. The down payment and installment payments are determined by Florida Bankruptcy Court. The risk to this option is that if you miss a payment, the court can dismiss your case without a refund.
If you are filing a new bankruptcy case in the state of Florida and have previously failed to pay the full filing fee in another case, there are a few things that can take place. A judge can dismiss the current case being filed. The court may refuse to allow the debtor to pay the filing fee in installments for the current case, or the court may order the debtor to pay the filing fee from the previous case. The court may also take any other action that it deems appropriate.
A fee that many people aren’t aware of or forget about is the fee for the credit counseling course be required by the court. The cost for credit counseling is usually less than $15 and your attorney can help you find inexpensive options. There is an additional credit counseling course required to obtain your discharge, which is about the same cost. Both of these course can be taken online or over the telephone.
Unless you are adept in the inner workings of bankruptcy law, you will need to hire a bankruptcy attorney to help you prepare the required documents. If you filed a Chapter 7 you should be prepared to spend anywhere from $1,000 – $3,500. Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases tend to cost more, starting at $2,500 – $6,000. While this can seem like a step backward for some, don’t let it sway you from working with a Ft. Myers attorney. When your debt has reached a point where you need to file bankruptcy you can afford an attorney who is proficient in bankruptcy laws to make sure you are granted the best possible outcome. At Miller, Hollander & Jeda we offer payment plans and work with you through the whole process from initial consultation through discharge and beyond.
While it is not a requirement to hire a bankruptcy attorney, it does improve your outcome. There are many reasons to hire a Florida bankruptcy attorney to help navigate the process of eliminating your debt. Not all attorneys are created equal. Here at Miller, Hollander, & Jeda, we are backed by more than 35 years of experience. Contact Miller, Hollander & Jeda today to schedule a free consultation.
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Miller, Hollander & Jeda’s founding attorneys began practicing in the early 1970s before putting down roots in the area and joining forces in 1992 to create the Naples, Florida, law firm that bears their names. Since its inception, Miller, Hollander & Jeda has focused on bankruptcy. The goal of our attorneys and our experienced staff, established at the outset and built upon year by year, is to use our extensive knowledge of bankruptcy law to answer the complicated questions you have regarding your financial trouble and help you solve your problems. We take pride in helping clients get a fresh start.
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