Fees and Costs

Free initial consultation.
In order to know if bankruptcy is a good option for you, I have to understand your unique financial situation. That takes time, and I don’t think it can be done in 15 minutes. I will take the time we need and you will not be put on the clock and billed after 15 minutes.

Chapter 7
For a Chapter 7 I charge $900.00 in most cases. Some cases with special circumstances may require a higher fee. In addition, there is a filing fee payable to the court which is $338.00. I do not charge any additional fees for a joint case, which many firms do, nor lure you in and then add extra fees.

Chapter 13
In this District the Court has mandated the use of a model plan and a model attorney client contract. The fee generally approved by the Court is $4,500.00. In addition, the Court charges a filing fee of $313.00. In most Chapter 13 cases, I require no money up front and my fees are paid through your reorganization over several years. In addition to attorney fees and bankruptcy filing fees, each client is required to complete a pre-bankruptcy counseling interview through an independent debt counseling service, as well as a post-bankruptcy debtor education class before the bankruptcy can be discharged. The fees for these consultations/classes can vary, so it is wise to comparison shop and we are happy to give you a list.

When comparing prices it is important to know what is actually included in a firm’s “low price.” Many firms make you pay additional amounts for things that should be part of a standard bankruptcy, such as the paperwork to keep your house, or your car (if desired) and some even charge more if you are married. It is also important to know if the firm is local and how long they have focused on bankruptcy. I have seen other attorneys rush into a specialty area of law during a down economy to temporarily practice bankruptcy law. An attorney with 20 years of experience in other areas of law may not be your best choice for a technical area like bankruptcy law. After two decades and thousands of cases I pride myself on being client centered, efficient and effective.