How Much Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost?
Bankruptcy lawyers' fees are reviewed by the court: every debtor's attorney must disclose what they were paid or promised, and the court can cancel or order the return of any amount above the reasonable value of the services. In Chapter 7, the U.S. Trustee Program says the Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits paying attorney's fees after filing that arise from a pre-filing agreement. In Chapter 13, many bankruptcy courts set a "no-look" or presumptively reasonable attorney fee that can be paid through the repayment plan, such as $4,500 in the Northern District of Indiana and $4,800 in the Middle District of Louisiana. Court filing fees are separate, and people who cannot afford a lawyer may qualify for free legal services.
What the law says
- Any attorney representing a debtor in a bankruptcy case must file with the court a statement of the compensation paid or agreed to be paid for services in connection with the case (if the payment or agreement was made within one year before filing), and the source of that compensation. 11 U.S.C. § 329 (via Cornell LII)
- If that compensation exceeds the reasonable value of the services, the court may cancel the agreement or order the return of the payment to the extent it is excessive. 11 U.S.C. § 329 (via Cornell LII)
- Under Bankruptcy Rule 2016, every debtor's attorney, whether or not applying for compensation, must file the § 329 statement and send it to the United States trustee within 14 days after the order for relief (or another time the court sets), and must file a supplemental statement within 14 days after any payment or agreement not previously disclosed. Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2016 (via Cornell LII)
- In a Chapter 12 or Chapter 13 case for an individual, the court may allow reasonable compensation to the debtor's attorney based on the benefit and necessity of the services to the debtor and the other factors in 11 U.S.C. § 330. 11 U.S.C. § 330 (via Cornell LII)
- In Chapter 7, the U.S. Trustee Program says the Bankruptcy Code generally prohibits the after-filing payment of attorney's fees arising from pre-filing retention agreements. It describes "bifurcated" fee agreements as an alternative some have suggested for debtors who cannot pay their attorney in full before filing, and says that, absent contrary local authority, it considers them permissible if they do not harm debtors, with fees that are fair and reasonable and the client's fully informed consent. U.S. Trustee Program, Bifurcated Fee Enforcement Guidelines
- Example (Northern District of Indiana): Local Rule B-2016-1 presumes $4,500 to be a reasonable attorney's fee for representing a debtor in a routine consumer Chapter 13 case (amended July 27, 2026). A fee up to that amount may be awarded through the confirmed plan without time records, and the presumption may be rebutted if someone objects. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Indiana, Local Rule B-2016-1
- Example (Middle District of Louisiana): Standing Order 2023-3 sets $4,800 as a reasonable "no look" fee for Chapter 13 debtor's counsel in cases filed on or after September 1, 2023, payable by the Chapter 13 trustee from property of the estate over the first five months of the plan. Adversary proceedings are not included. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana, Standing Order 2023-3
- Example (Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi): an amended standing order sets a Chapter 13 "No-Look Fee" of up to $4,600 for cases filed on or after May 1, 2025. An attorney who uses it may not collect more from the debtor without court approval, except for listed expenses such as the filing fee, a credit report, and the credit counseling fee. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, Amended Standing Order Regarding Use of "No-Look" Fee
- Example (Middle District of Florida, Tampa and Fort Myers Divisions): for cases filed on or after August 11, 2023, attorneys for Chapter 13 debtors may charge up to $5,000 as a presumptively reasonable fee for matters required to confirm and complete the case, plus a monitoring fee of up to $50 a month after confirmation, and $1,800 for the court's Mortgage Modification Mediation program. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, Amended Order Establishing Presumptively Reasonable Debtor's Attorney's Fees in Chapter 13 Cases (Tampa and Fort Myers Divisions)
- U.S. Courts says individuals can file bankruptcy without an attorney (pro se), though it strongly recommends a qualified attorney; bankruptcy forms are free; and people who cannot afford an attorney may qualify for free legal services, pointing to the American Bar Association's Legal Help and the Legal Services Corporation. U.S. Courts, Filing Without an Attorney
FAQ
Does the court approve what my bankruptcy lawyer charges?
Your lawyer must disclose what was paid or promised, and the court may cancel the agreement or order a refund to the extent the fee exceeds the reasonable value of the services.
What is a "no-look" fee?
It is an amount a bankruptcy court treats as presumptively reasonable for a Chapter 13 debtor's attorney, so the attorney does not have to file a detailed fee application. The Middle District of Louisiana, for example, says its no-look fee eliminates the need for fee applications, and counsel seeking more must apply under 11 U.S.C. §§ 329 and 330(a) and Rule 2016.
Can a lawyer charge less than the presumptive fee?
Yes. The Middle District of Florida says its presumptively reasonable fee does not mean an attorney cannot agree to represent debtors for a lower fee, and urges attorneys to do so in appropriate cases.
Can a lawyer ask for more than the no-look fee?
Yes, for extra work. The Northern District of Indiana allows counsel to apply for fees above the presumptive amount for extraordinary, unusual, or unanticipated services, with supporting documentation.
Can a bankruptcy petition preparer give me legal advice?
No. U.S. Courts says non-attorney petition preparers can only enter information into forms; they cannot give legal advice, explain legal questions, help you in court, or receive payment for court fees.
Are court filing fees included in the lawyer's fee?
Court filing fees are separate. In Mississippi's order, for example, the statutory filing fee is one of the expenses an attorney may seek reimbursement for in addition to the no-look fee, if the debtor agreed to reimburse it.
Related
- Can You File Bankruptcy on Student Loans?
- Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
- Do I Need a Lawyer for Bankruptcy?
- How Long Does Bankruptcy Stay on Your Credit Report?
- How Much Does It Cost to File Bankruptcy?
- How Often Can You File Bankruptcy?
- What Happens When You File for Bankruptcy?
- What Is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy?
- What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
- Bankruptcy by state
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.