Filing bankruptcy in Florida involves three main costs: the federal court filing fee, two required education courses, and attorney fees. The court filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13 (U.S. Courts). The two required courses generally cost between $15 and $50 each through approved providers. Attorney fees are the largest and most variable cost, and they depend on which chapter you file and how complex your case is. Many Chapter 13 attorney fees can be paid through your repayment plan instead of all at once. At Parker & DuFresne, consultations are free.
One of the first questions people ask when they consider bankruptcy is what it will cost. It is a fair question, especially when money is already tight. The encouraging news is that the fixed costs of filing are smaller and more predictable than most people expect, and federal law builds in protections for filers who cannot pay everything upfront. This guide breaks down every cost involved in filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Florida, how payment plans work, and why the lowest price is not always the best value.
At Parker & DuFresne, our attorneys have guided North Florida families through bankruptcy since 1994. We believe that understanding the costs upfront helps you make a confident, informed decision rather than an anxious one.
Every consumer bankruptcy case in Florida includes the same basic cost categories. Knowing what each one covers shows you where the money goes and which parts are fixed versus variable.
A one-time fee paid to the federal bankruptcy court when your case is filed. It is set nationally and is the same across Florida.
Two short education courses, one before filing and one after. Both are completed through approved providers and are usually inexpensive.
The cost of professional representation. This is the largest and most variable expense, and it depends on the chapter and the complexity of your case.
Small expenses such as obtaining a credit report or certified documents. These are generally minor compared to the categories above.
The court filing fee is fixed by the federal judiciary, so it does not change from one law firm to another. The amount depends only on which chapter you file.
$338
Paid to the court when your case is filed. Filers with income below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify to have this fee waived entirely, and others can often pay it in installments (U.S. Courts).
$313
Also paid to the court at filing. Chapter 13 does not offer a full fee waiver, but the court routinely allows the fee to be paid in installments as your case gets underway.
Jacksonville and the surrounding North Florida counties file in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. To understand which chapter fits your situation, our guide on how firms handle Chapter 7 versus Chapter 13 cases walks through the differences in detail.
Federal law requires every individual filer to complete two education courses. A pre-filing credit counseling course must be taken within 180 days before you file (11 U.S.C. 109(h)), and a post-filing debtor education course must be completed before your debts are discharged.
Approved providers are required to reduce or waive these fees for filers who cannot afford them, so let the provider know if the cost is a hardship.
Attorney fees are almost always the biggest part of the cost, and they vary the most. The amount depends on the chapter you file, the complexity of your finances, and the experience of the firm you choose. Two factors shape how attorney fees are typically structured.
Chapter 7 attorney fees are usually paid in full before the case is filed. The fee owed for filing the case could otherwise be affected by the same bankruptcy, so firms generally complete payment beforehand. Learn more on our Chapter 7 bankruptcy page.
Chapter 13 attorney fees are often higher because the case stays open for three to five years, but a portion of those fees can usually be paid through your court-approved repayment plan rather than upfront. The bankruptcy court reviews Chapter 13 attorney fees for reasonableness. See our Chapter 13 bankruptcy page for more.
Because your eligibility for Chapter 7 affects which chapter you can file, and therefore your cost, it helps to understand the income rules. Our article on Chapter 7 qualification and the means test explains who qualifies.
When you are trying to escape debt, the lowest quoted price is tempting. But bankruptcy is a legal process with lasting consequences, and mistakes can cost far more than any fee you save. An overlooked exemption can mean losing property you could have kept. A missed deadline or an incomplete petition can lead to a dismissed case. A debt that is not handled correctly may survive the bankruptcy entirely.
The value of skilled representation shows up in what you keep and in the confidence that your case is handled correctly the first time. Our guide on how to choose the best consumer bankruptcy firm covers what to look for, and our list of questions to ask during your consultation includes exactly how to ask about fees so there are no surprises.
Cost should not be the reason you stay trapped in debt. Several protections exist for filers with limited income.
In a Chapter 7 case, if your household income is below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, you can apply to have the court filing fee waived entirely (28 U.S.C. 1930(f)).
If you do not qualify for a waiver, the court will usually let you pay the filing fee in up to four installments after your case is filed.
Approved providers must reduce or waive the credit counseling and debtor education fees for filers who cannot afford them.
Many firms offer payment arrangements, and in Chapter 13 a portion of the attorney fee can be built into your repayment plan.
The way you pay depends on the chapter. In Chapter 7, attorney fees are generally paid before the case is filed, often through a short series of payments during the preparation period. In Chapter 13, you make a single monthly payment to the trustee for three to five years, and an approved portion of your attorney fee is paid through that plan along with your other debts. This structure is one reason Chapter 13 can be within reach even when paying a large fee upfront would be impossible.
If you are weighing the cost of bankruptcy against the cost of staying in debt, the team at Parker & DuFresne can walk you through exactly what your case would involve and what your options are. Our attorneys have helped North Florida families file Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases since 1994, and consultations are free.
Call (904) 606-9069 to schedule your free consultation.
The cost has three main parts: a court filing fee of $338 for Chapter 7 or $313 for Chapter 13, two required courses that generally cost $15 to $50 each, and attorney fees that vary by chapter and case complexity. Filers with limited income may qualify for fee waivers, installment payments, or reduced course fees.
The federal court filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13 (U.S. Courts). These fees are set nationally and are the same everywhere in Florida.
Chapter 13 cases stay open for three to five years and require ongoing work to manage the repayment plan, while Chapter 7 cases usually conclude in a few months. The added workload and longer timeline make Chapter 13 attorney fees higher, though a portion can be paid through the repayment plan.
Yes. If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, the court will usually allow you to pay the filing fee in up to four installments after your case is filed.
In a Chapter 7 case, yes. If your household income is below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, you can apply to have the filing fee waived entirely (28 U.S.C. 1930(f)). Chapter 13 does not offer a full waiver, but installment payments are available.
The pre-filing credit counseling course generally costs between $15 and $35, and the post-filing debtor education course generally costs up to $50. Approved providers must reduce or waive these fees for filers who cannot afford them.
In Chapter 7, attorney fees are generally paid in full before the case is filed. In Chapter 13, a portion of the attorney fee can usually be paid through your court-approved repayment plan instead of all at once.
Not always. Bankruptcy has lasting consequences, and errors such as missed exemptions or incomplete filings can cost far more than any fee you save. Real value comes from getting the case done correctly and keeping the property you are entitled to keep.
No. Consultations at Parker & DuFresne are free. This gives you a chance to understand your options and the likely cost of your specific case before making any commitment.
You still have options. Some filers use fee waivers and installment plans, others arrange flexible payment schedules with a firm, and Chapter 13 allows part of the attorney fee to be paid through the repayment plan. Speaking with a firm that offers a free consultation is the best way to understand what is realistic for your situation.
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