How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost?
Transparent Pricing
I charge flat fees, so you know the cost before you hire me. Below is what a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case costs with Spalding Law Firm PLLC, including the court's fees and the amount you need to get your case filed.
Fees current as of November 2026.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy: fees and costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Attorney feeStarts at $1,250 for single and joint filers, and rises to a maximum of $2,000 depending on complexity. Court hearings are billed separately at $250 per hearing, and a redemption motion is $250. Cases involving significant business assets, or estates valued above $1,000,000, are a flat $2,500. | Starting at $1,250 |
| Court hearingsCharged only if your case requires a hearing | $250 each |
| Redemption motionCharged only if your case requires one | $250 |
| Credit counseling and credit check | $79.99 |
| County Auditor lien searchFor your current county of residence | Free |
| UCC lien searches | Free |
| Court filing fee$75 due up front. The remaining $263 can be paid over three months after filing. | $338 |
| Minimum needed to file | Starting at $1,404.99 |
| Total with the court filing fee paid in full | Starting at $1,667.99 |
Chapter 13 bankruptcy: fees and costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Attorney fee$1,500 is due up front. That covers the $313 court filing fee, the $79.99 credit counseling and credit check, and the first $1,107.01 of the attorney fee. The remaining $3,892.99 of the attorney fee is paid through your Chapter 13 plan. Court hearings are billed separately at $250 per hearing, and a redemption motion is $250. | $5,000 |
| County Auditor lien searchFor your current county of residence | Free |
| UCC lien searches | Free |
| Up frontIncludes the court filing fee and the credit counseling and credit check | $1,500 |
| Paid through your Chapter 13 plan | $3,892.99 |
Payment plans are available.
How much do I need to get started?
For a Chapter 7, the minimum needed to file starts at $1,404.99. That covers the attorney fee, the credit counseling and credit check, and the first $75 of the court filing fee. For a Chapter 13, you need $1,500 up front. That covers the $313 court filing fee, the credit counseling and credit check, and the first $1,107.01 of the attorney fee. The remaining $3,892.99 is paid through your plan.
What does the court charge to file bankruptcy in Washington?
The court filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. These fees are set nationally and are the same in the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington. They go to the court, not to me.
Why does the Chapter 7 fee start at $1,250 and not stay there?
Most cases are straightforward and cost the starting fee. Some take more work, and the fee can rise to a maximum of $2,000 for a personal case, single or joint. A case can be more complex when it involves a business, real estate beyond your home, recent transfers of property, income near the means test limit, or a creditor who is already suing or garnishing. I will tell you the exact fee at the consultation, before you commit to anything.
Do hearings cost extra?
Yes. Court hearings are billed separately at $250 per hearing, in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. A redemption motion is also $250. Most basic consumer cases don't have one. Your Meeting of Creditors is not a hearing and is included in the flat fee.
A hearing comes up when something is contested, for example a creditor asks the court for relief from the automatic stay, the trustee objects to an exemption, or a reaffirmation agreement is docketed by the clerk (we will know before the case is filed whether this will happen). I will tell you before any hearing is set, so the cost is never a surprise.
What if my case involves a business or a large estate?
Filings that involve significant business assets, or estates valued above $1,000,000, are charged a flat $2,500 rather than the personal rate. The $2,000 maximum applies to personal cases, single or joint.
What is included?
- A County Auditor lien search for your current county of residence, and UCC lien searches, at no charge.
- Preparation and filing of your petition, schedules and statements.
- Representation at your Meeting of Creditors, which is held by Zoom.
- Direct access to me by phone. You get my cell number.
Find out what your case will cost
The consultation is free. Call (509) 906-2221 or book a free consultation, and I will give you a firm number.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Fees are subject to change and depend on the facts of your case. Contacting Spalding Law Firm PLLC does not create an attorney-client relationship. Spalding Law Firm PLLC is a debt relief agency helping people file for relief under the Bankruptcy Code.