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In-the-Law
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO FILE BANKRUPTCY?
Most of the cases I file are Chapter 7 cases. About 98% of the Chapter 7 cases I file are charged as a flat fee. I also file Chapter 13 cases for my clients. Typically, most attorneys charge the same flat fee for Chapter 13 cases; however, each attorney may request a different "up front" fee prior to filing your case. The remainder of the fee is paid from monthly payments that would otherwise go to your creditors. Below I have listed the anticipated fees and costs for both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases.
ATTORNEY FEES:
a) Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Flat Fee - $600.00
b) Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Flat Fee - $2,500.00 ($500.00 down before filing the case, and the balance of $2,000.00 paid through a 3 to 5 year payment plan to creditors.)
COURT FILING FEES:
Chapter 7 - $299.00
Chapter 13 - $274.00
LIABILITY REPORT / CREDIT REPORT FEES:
Individual Report - $20.00
Joint Report (husband and wife) - $40.00
TOTAL FEES & COSTS (ADD IT ALL TOGETHER):
Chapter 7 - $919.00
$939.00 (Husband and Wife)
Chapter 13 - $2,794.00
$2,814.00 (Husband and Wife) HOW CAN JASON COUEY HELP ME FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY?
I get a lot of calls from people with many of the same questions. I hope the following information will help you determine whether you should retain me as your attorney and assist you with your bankruptcy case.
The following list sets out my proposed representation in a bankruptcy case:
1. I will consult with you at my office to discuss your financial situation and possible solutions. This meeting is free of charge and typically lasts a 1/2 hour to 1 hour.
2. I will provide you with the section 342(b)(1) notice, which sets out the purpose, benefits, and costs of filing under Chapters 7 or 13; the types of services available from credit counseling agencies; and the penalties of committing certain bankruptcy crimes, and will explain the notice to you.
3. I will import liability/credit reports with data from Trans Union and Experian credit agencies, plus data from public records into the forms required to file with the court, and provide you with a copy. This report also shows your current credit score, and what you can anticipate your credit score to be 12 months after filing bankruptcy.
4. I will prepare the necessary bankruptcy petition, schedules, statement of affairs, and other documents, and review and file the bankruptcy case under the chapter you select, or which we advise you select.
5. I will prepare for and accompany you to the section 341 First Meeting of Creditors, which takes place approximately one month from filing your case. The date and time of the meeting will be known on the day of filing your case.
6. I will assist in the amendments to the papers filed and the production of such documents as the trustee requests.
7. I will assist you in the negotiation and execution of reaffirmation agreements that are in your best interest, are not an undue hardship, and which meet all requirements of the law.
APPROVED CREDIT COUNSELING AGENCIES
If you need to file for bankruptcy relief, you must "receive from an approved nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency...an individual or group briefing...that outlines the opportunities for available credit counseling and assists you in performing a related budget analysis." My office can arrange for you to take a required counseling course over the Internet. This Internet briefing, created by a bankruptcy lawyer, has just a short phone component at the end. The cost is $30.00 for single or joint filers. You must receive the required counseling before filing your case.
My office can register you for the credit counseling after we have been retained. The instructions for the counseling/briefing are easy to follow on each page to work you through the certification process. The briefing will return real time feedback about your finances, and the agency will provide you with a 40 page summary at the end along with the certificate of completion. |
