How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in California?

Three cost layers: a court filing fee set by federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1930) — payable in installments, and waivable in Chapter 7 for filers well below the poverty guidelines — small fees for the required credit counseling courses, and attorney fees, commonly flat in Chapter 7 and largely paid through the plan in Chapter 13.

Court filing fees are set nationally by 28 U.S.C. § 1930 and the Judicial Conference schedule; Chapter 7 filers with income below 150 percent of the poverty guidelines may apply for a full waiver (section 1930(f)), and installment payment is available in both chapters. The two required courses — credit counseling before filing and financial management before discharge — carry modest fees. Attorney fees follow the chapter. Chapter 7 work is typically quoted flat and collected before filing, since amounts still owed at the petition would be swept into the discharge. Chapter 13 spreads the burden: California's bankruptcy courts use standard presumptive fee amounts, with most of the fee paid through the three-to-five-year plan rather than up front. Every fee arrangement must be disclosed to the court under 11 U.S.C. § 329, which lets the judge review and reduce unreasonable charges. When comparing quotes, ask precisely what the flat fee covers — amendments, reaffirmation agreements, and responses to trustee inquiries are common extras.

Authority: 11 U.S.C. § 329