Hiring a Bankruptcy Lawyer in District of Columbia
How bankruptcy lawyers are paid, the District of Columbia means test and exemptions, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in District of Columbia: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | When a lawyer has not regularly represented the client, the basis or rate of the fee, the scope of the representation and the expenses the client will owe must be communicated in writing before or within a reasonable time after the representation starts. Contingent fees are allowed except where Rule 1.5(d) or other law prohibits them; the agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is figured, including percentages on settlement, trial or appeal, the litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, whether expenses come out before or after the fee is calculated, and whether the client owes expenses regardless of outcome. At the end, the lawyer must give a written statement of the outcome and the client's share. D.C.'s Rule 1.5(d) bars contingent fees only for representing a criminal defendant; unlike many states, it does not include a domestic relations ban. |
|---|---|
| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The D.C. Bar's Fee Dispute Program, run by the Attorney/Client Arbitration Board (ACAB), handles fee disputes between clients and lawyers through arbitration (with mediation volunteers). A petition filing packet, rules of procedure and a filing-fees page are provided. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The D.C. Bar Clients' Security Fund, overseen by five trustees appointed by the D.C. Court of Appeals, reimburses clients up to $100,000 for losses caused by a D.C. Bar member's dishonest conduct (theft such as embezzlement or conversion), not for negligent or ineffective services. The lawyer must have acted as your attorney or in another fiduciary role, and you must first use other available ways to recover (such as demanding repayment, insurance or a lawsuit). Submit a signed, notarized application with supporting documents online, by mail (901 4th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001) or by email; final decisions generally take about six months. Source: D.C. Bar, Clients' Security Fund |
District of Columbia rules to know first
| Standard Chapter 13 lawyer fee | District of Columbia (one bankruptcy court): under Local Bankruptcy Rule 2016-2(a) (local rules effective February 1, 2026), total compensation for debtor's attorney of $6,750.00 or less per chapter 13 case, whether individual or joint, is presumed reasonable under 11 U.S.C. 329 and allowable under 11 U.S.C. 330, without a detailed fee application. If the chapter 13 trustee requires the debtor to file a business report, or the debtor holds a controlling interest in a corporation or LLC operating a business, the presumptively reasonable amount is $7,750.00 or less per case. Debtor's attorney may also receive expenses, including the filing fee and up to $150.00 in other estimated expenses. The presumptive fee covers, at a minimum, counseling the debtor, verifying identity and eligibility, preparing and filing the petition, schedules, statement of financial affairs, plan and all amendments, serving plans, attending the meeting of creditors, confirmation hearing(s) and other required hearings, and pre-confirmation motions, among other listed services; adversary proceedings, appeals and U.S. Trustee audits may be excepted if stated in the Rule 2016(b) disclosure. The rule says the amounts are periodically reviewed and adjusted by General Order. |
|---|---|
| Means test median income | 1 person: $85,391; 2 people: $161,397; 3 people: $161,397; 4 people: $166,598; add $11,100 for each additional person over 4. These figures apply to bankruptcy cases filed on or after July 15, 2026 (the Census median income data was last updated for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026). The U.S. Trustee updates this table periodically; check https://www.justice.gov/ust/means-testing for the table in effect on the filing date. The table's one-person column is labeled "1 EARNER." Income at or below the median for the household size generally means the Chapter 7 means test's further calculations are not required. |
| Homestead exemption | The debtor's aggregate interest in real property used as the residence of the debtor or a dependent (or in a cooperative or burial plot), with no dollar limit stated; it does not impair a deed of trust, mortgage, mechanic's lien or tax lien. Section 15-501(a) applies to the head of a family or householder residing in D.C. (or earning most of their livelihood there). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code § 15-501(a)(14) |
| State or federal exemptions | Filers may choose either the D.C. exemptions or the federal bankruptcy exemptions in 11 U.S.C. 522(d). No District of Columbia statute denying the federal exemptions was identified. Under 11 U.S.C. 522(b)(2), the federal list applies unless state law "specifically does not so authorize." Spouses filing together must both use the same system. Which state's exemptions apply depends on where the filer was domiciled for the 730 days before filing (522(b)(3)(A)). |
Full District of Columbia guide
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The D.C. Bar's Lawyer Referral Service, MyDCLawyer (mydclawyer.org), lets you describe your legal situation online; an AI-based matching system then lists up to five participating attorneys whose profiles match your issue. Leave out names, contact details, financial information, Social Security numbers and dates of birth. "There is no charge to anyone seeking attorney referrals through MyDCLawyer"; referrals are not free legal services, and attorneys' own fees are not stated. D.C. Bar phone: 202-737-4700. |
|---|---|
| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The D.C. Bar's "Find a Member" directory provides information about a specific attorney who is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, including licensing status and public contact information. The D.C. Bar also issues certificates concerning discipline. Certificate concerning discipline: https://my.dcbar.org/certificates Source: D.C. Bar, Find a Member |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Ethics complaints about D.C. lawyers go to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC), created by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals to investigate and prosecute them: 515 5th Street NW, Building A, Suite 117, Washington, DC 20001; phone 202-638-1501. ODC cannot represent you, give legal advice, refer you to a lawyer or change a court's decision. The D.C. Bar suggests first talking openly with the lawyer if the problem may be a miscommunication. Public disciplinary decisions and pending cases are posted on the D.C. Bar site. Disciplinary decisions: https://www.dcbar.org/attorney-discipline/disciplinary-decisions ; Pending cases: https://www.dcbar.org/attorney-discipline/pending-cases |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Neighborhood Legal Services Program of the District of Columbia is the LSC-funded legal aid organization for D.C. and provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents. The D.C. Bar also directs people seeking free (pro bono) help to the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center. |
|---|
All legal help in District of Columbia · Do I need a lawyer?
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.