Bankruptcy can feel like an overwhelming journey, but understanding the cost to file and the estimated bankruptcy attorney fees in Pennsylvania is the first step.
by:
Dave Te
,
September 27, 2024
Reviewed By:
,
September 27, 2024
Information in this article does not constitute legal advice, it is for informational purposes only, and may not constitute the most up-to-date information. Readers should contact their attorney for advice on any particular legal matter.
So, you're thinking about filing for bankruptcy in Pennsylvania, but you're not quite sure how much it's going to cost you. Let’s break it down. The filing fees for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy will set you back $338, while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy will cost you $313 in 2024. But hold on, it's not as simple as it seems. There are a couple of factors that can affect the total cost, like whether you decide to hire a bankruptcy attorney or if you're eligible for fee waivers.
Now, here's where things get interesting. We did some digging and managed to get a ballpark figure for how much bankruptcy attorneys charge in Pennsylvania. We spent around $1,000 on a nifty public records database called PACER, a good resource to understand bankruptcy attorney fees. As of 2024, the average range for Chapter 7 attorney fees in Pennsylvania is between $1,000 and $2,000. Keep in mind, though, that this is just an estimate. If you want a more precise figure based on your exact location in Pennsylvania, we've got you covered. Just check out the free Pennsylvania bankruptcy cost calculator below.
Now, I know what you're thinking. How am I supposed to afford bankruptcy when I can barely pay my bills? Trust me, you're not alone. With interest rates and inflation still causing a ruckus in 2024, it's a tough situation for many folks out there. But here's the thing. While some bankruptcy costs, like the filing fee and credit counseling courses, are pretty similar across the board, attorney fees can vary wildly depending on where you are in Pennsylvania. Whether you're in the bustling city of Philadelphia or the steel town of Pittsburgh, the price tag can be quite different.
The purpose of this article is to give you an idea of the all-in costs of filing for bankruptcy in Pennsylvania. We'll be covering two main categories:
Bankruptcy Attorney Fees
Bankruptcy Filing Costs
Estimate the All-In Bankruptcy Cost in Your Zip Code
We've been getting a ton of questions about how much it costs to file for bankruptcy in Pennsylvania. So we've gone ahead and created a database of attorney fees just for you. To find out the estimated cost of bankruptcy in your city in Pennsylvania, all you need to do is enter your zip code below and let our Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Cost Estimator do its work. We're here to help you navigate through this challenging time, so don't hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions.
Table of Contents
1. Actual Lawyer Costs By District In Pennsylvania
We've already shown you a range of bankruptcy attorneys' fees, but there are a few other factors that will influence the total. A few factors that affect the overall cost are the bankruptcy lawyer's location, the complexity of the case, the attorney-client relationship, and the expert's degree of knowledge. But since the location is so important, let's examine the actual costs as shown by the data from Pacer files and the map of the Pennsylvania bankruptcy districts.
See the map below to determine which district you reside in, then scroll down to see actual legal fees.
Encompassing a significant area, Pennsylvania's Eastern District includes major urban centers like Philadelphia, Reading, and Allentown. Operating within the Eastern Time zone, this district spans nine counties. It features a central courthouse in Philadelphia and additional court facilities throughout the district, overseen by 19 active district judges and 11 magistrate judges. The diverse economic activities and vibrant communities in Pennsylvania's Eastern District contribute to the overall richness of the region.
For residents in proximity to these major areas within Pennsylvania's Eastern District, it's crucial to understand that the expected bankruptcy filing cost can vary, often floating around $1,785.00. This is an estimate, and actual expenses may fluctuate based on factors such as your financial situation and the choice of legal representation. This variability underscores the potential financial implications of the process.
Pennsylvania Middle District
Covering a substantial area, Pennsylvania's Middle District includes major cities like Harrisburg, Scranton, and Williamsport. Operating within the Eastern Time zone, this district spans 33 counties. It features a central courthouse in Harrisburg and additional court facilities throughout the district, overseen by 9 active district judges and 4 magistrate judges. The diverse economic activities and vibrant communities in Pennsylvania's Middle District contribute to the overall richness of the region.
For residents in proximity to these major areas within Pennsylvania's Middle District, the expected bankruptcy filing cost can vary, often falling within a range from $1,070.00 to $1,850.00. It's crucial to bear in mind that this is an estimate, and actual expenses may fluctuate based on factors such as your financial situation and the choice of legal representation.
Pennsylvania Western District
Covering a substantial area, Pennsylvania's Western District includes major cities like Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown. Operating within the Eastern Time zone, this district encompasses 25 counties. It features a central courthouse in Pittsburgh and additional court facilities throughout the district, overseen by 9 active district judges and 5 magistrate judges. The diverse economic activities and vibrant communities in Pennsylvania's Western District contribute to the overall richness of the region.
For residents in proximity to these major areas within Pennsylvania's Western District, the expected bankruptcy filing cost can vary, often falling within a range from $1,000.00 to $1,400.00. It's crucial to bear in mind that this is an estimate, and actual expenses may fluctuate based on factors such as your financial situation and the choice of legal representation.
Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys in Pennsylvania may charge anywhere between $3000 to $4500. The exact fee can vary depending on the district. When it comes to Chapter 7 attorney fees, there is more variability. However, Chapter 13 fees tend to be relatively similar. This is because of "no-look fees," which are considered reasonable for the service provided. These fees help ensure fairness and consistency. It's worth noting that some attorneys may charge an hourly rate for any additional work needed after filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. So, it's always a good idea to inquire about this possibility.
3. Bankruptcy Filing Costs
Bankruptcy filing costs are the same throughout the United States, not just in Pennsylvania. So, if you're considering bankruptcy, you should keep a few other costs in mind. Let's take a look at what they are.
Bankruptcy Filing Fees
If you're considering filing for bankruptcy at the US Courthouse, you need to know a couple of things. First off, you can check out this handy fee schedule right here. It lays out all the fees you'll need to pay.
Now, let's discuss the filing fees for Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. For Chapter 7, you're looking at a total cost of $338. That includes a $245 filing fee, a $78 administrative fee, and a $15 trustee surcharge.
If you're going the Chapter 13 route, the filing fee is a little lower at $313. That includes a $235 filing fee and a $78 administrative fee. Still, it's good to know what you're getting into.
Suppose you're worried about being able to afford the filing fee. There might be options for you. You could pay the fee in installments, which can help make it more manageable. And in some cases, you might even get the fee waived altogether.
If you want to explore the fee waiver information in more detail, check out the Pennsylvania filing fee page. It has all the details you'll need.
Pennsylvania Filing Fee Waiver Guidelines
If you're thinking about filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and your income is below 150% of the Pennsylvania poverty guidelines, you might be able to get your filing fees waived. Let me break it down for you. For cases filed within Pennsylvania in 2022, the Pennsylvania income limit could look like this: - If you're one, your income should be below $13,590. - If there are two of you, the limit is $18,310. - For three people, it's $23,030. - The line is drawn at $27,750 if four are in your crew. - Five people? Stay below $32,470. - Six? Keep it under $37,190. - Seven? Don't go over $41,910. - Eight? Don't exceed $46,630. - If you have nine in your household, ensure your income is less than $51,350. - Oh, and if you have more than nine people, add $4,720 for each additional individual. Just remember, these guidelines are for cases filed within Pennsylvania in 2022. So, if you meet the income requirements, you could potentially have those bankruptcy filing fees waived. It's worth looking into if you're in a tough spot financially.
Mandatory Course Costs
When you're going through the bankruptcy process in Pennsylvania, you'll need to take a couple of courses. First up, you've got to complete an approved credit counseling course. And don't worry; you can usually do it online from the comfort of your own home. Now, the cost of this course can vary, but on average, you're looking at around $10 to $50. After you've finished the credit counseling course, you'll also need to take a debtor education course. This one's essential, too, as it helps you learn about managing your finances and making wise financial decisions in the future. And just like the credit counseling course, you can also take this one online. So, if you're considering filing for bankruptcy in Pennsylvania, ensure you're prepared to take these courses. They may not be the most exciting thing in the world, but they're necessary to get back on your feet financially. On the bright side, you can do them online and at an affordable price.
Miscellaneous Costs
So, you've got a meeting of creditors at the courthouse. It's important to know that you might have to shell out some cash for transportation to get there. On top of that, you might also have to cover the cost of a credit report for your attorney. Your attorney might be able to lend a hand with getting that credit report sorted. Let's talk numbers. You're probably wondering how much this transportation thing will set you back.
We’ve made it easier for you to figure that out by hovering over your district, using this interactive map below showing bankruptcy courthouses in Pennsylvania by district, and looking up your nearest bankruptcy court.
Will Inflation Affect the Cost To File Bankruptcy in Pennsylvania?
So, there's been some talk about inflation and whether it'll impact attorney fees. Let's dive into this topic and see if it might affect Pennsylvania's filing fee and attorney costs. First, the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing fee recently increased from $335 to $338, while the Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing fee increased from $310 to $313. These changes are minor, so you don't have to worry too much about the filing fee putting a dent in your wallet. However, things might be a bit different when it comes to attorney fees. Inflation can push bankruptcy attorneys to pay their employees more and deal with higher living costs, especially in cities like Pittsburgh, Allentown, or even across Pennsylvania. This could lead to an increase in attorney fees. So, while the filing fee won't have much impact, keep in mind that attorney costs might be slightly inflated. It's something to consider if you seek legal help for bankruptcy.
Would My Bankruptcy Cost Be Higher in Philadelphia Than in Allentown?
You're sitting in your suburban home in Pennsylvania, contemplating whether to hire a local attorney or move to Pittsburgh, the big city, to save on bankruptcy costs.
Now, Philadelphia boasts the highest population in the entire state, with a whopping 1,587,828 people. With such a bustling metropolis, one might assume that the cost of bankruptcy attorney fees would be sky-high in the City of Brotherly Love.
Yes, the cost may be higher in Philadelphia, but there's also a more significant number of bankruptcy attorneys in the mix. And what does that mean? Competition. With more attorneys vying for clients, prices tend to drop. So, believe it or not, you might find that the total cost to file for bankruptcy, including attorney fees, could be much higher in your city than in the bustling streets of Philadelphia.
Most bankruptcy attorneys offer free consultations. So you can gather multiple perspectives before making your final decision. And if that's not enough, we've even got a bankruptcy cost calculator below. It considers all the variables we discussed and gives an all-in cost estimate.
Why Do Some Attorneys Charge Higher Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Fees?
So you're in Pittsburg, and you're looking for a bankruptcy attorney. It's always a good idea to compare prices before making a decision. You might be surprised that the costs can vary between different attorneys.
In Allentown, the Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorneys usually charge the same amount. It's called a "no-look fee." It's a standard fee for the services provided. So, no matter which attorney you choose, you can expect to pay the same amount.
Things get a little more complicated when it comes to Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The attorney fees for Chapter 7 can vary quite a bit. So, it's essential to understand what you're getting for the extra cost.
So, what determines the cost of a bankruptcy lawyer? Let me break it down for you:
The type of bankruptcy you're filing - Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
The complexity of your case - whether you have assets or not.
Your location - whether you're in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.
The level of connection you have with the attorney.
The attorney's expertise - how many years of experience they have.
Let me give you an example to make things more transparent. Let's say you're making $10,000 above the median income for Pennsylvania, and you still want to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. In that case, the attorney might have to spend extra time going through your expenses to see if you qualify. And as you can guess, extra time means a higher overall cost.
I hope this article has shed some light on the costs of filing bankruptcy with a bankruptcy lawyer in Pennsylvania. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out. If you want to get an estimate of the costs specific to your situation, you can try out the free Pennsylvania bankruptcy cost calculator below.
Bankruptcy can be a great way to get a fresh start when your debt has become unaffordable due to financial hardship. Bankruptcy is for those who have a strong desire to pay their bills, but may not have the ability to pay those bills.
Trying to figure out if you can meet all the requirements for a bankruptcy discharge can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know where to start. The Bankruptcy Means Test form was created to help you navigate through to see if you qualify to file for bankruptcy discharge. The means test will look at your income to determine if you can qualify.
Yes, you can file bankruptcy while unemployed with no job, but please note that your unemployment income does count as income for the bankruptcy means test.
