Bankruptcy cost · Beverly Hills
What Bankruptcy Costs in Beverly Hills
What bankruptcy costs in Beverly Hills depends on the chapter. With us, Chapter 7 starts at a $1,200 flat attorney fee plus the $338 court filing fee, and payment plans are available. For Chapter 13, the court filing fee is $313 and we quote your attorney fee in writing, and part of it can be paid through the plan. Call (310) 362-9071 for a free consultation.
- Chapter 7 flat fee starts at $1,200 plus the court filing fee
- Payment plans available
- Free consultation in person or by video
At a glance
Every cost in one table
Bankruptcy has four kinds of cost: the attorney fee, the court filing fee, two required courses and, in Chapter 13, the trustee's fee. This table shows each one side by side.
| Item | Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attorney fee (our office) | Flat fee starting at $1,200 | Quoted in writing; the court's no-look limit is $7,000 (consumer) or $8,500 (business) for cases filed on or after May 1, 2024 | Chapter 7: in full before filing. Chapter 13: some before filing, the rest can go through the plan |
| Court filing fee | $338 | $313 | At filing, or in up to four installments within 120 days |
| Credit counseling course | Typically $50 or less | Typically $50 or less | Before filing, within 180 days |
| Debtor education course | Typically $50 or less | Typically $50 or less | After filing, before discharge |
| Chapter 13 trustee fee | None | A percentage of each plan payment, capped at 10% by federal law | Built into each monthly plan payment |
Court filing fees come from the fee schedule of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California, effective December 1, 2023. Course prices are set by each approved provider; see credit counseling and debtor education courses. Fees of $50 or less are presumed reasonable by the U.S. Trustee Program.
For the details on each chapter, see what Chapter 7 costs and what Chapter 13 costs.
Why the Chapter 7 fee is paid before filing
The Chapter 7 attorney fee is paid before your case is filed. Here is why. Chapter 7 wipes out debts you owe on the day you file. A fee you still owe your lawyer on that day is one of those debts. So most lawyers cannot be paid for Chapter 7 work after filing out of a fee you agreed to before.
That is why we offer payment plans before filing. You pay the fee over time, and we file once it is paid. If you are facing a garnishment, a levy or a foreclosure sale date, tell us right away. Emergency filings are available, and we will talk with you about the fastest safe option.
The court filing fee works differently. You can pay it in installments after filing, or ask the court to waive it if your income is low. Our page on filing fees, fee waivers and installment plans explains both.
Why most of the Chapter 13 fee is paid through the plan
Much of a Chapter 13 attorney fee can be paid through your plan, not up front. Chapter 13 is a three to five year repayment plan. Your monthly plan payment goes to the Chapter 13 trustee. The trustee then pays your creditors, and pays the balance of your attorney fee over time.
The court limits what lawyers may charge this way. In the Central District of California, a lawyer who uses the court's Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (often called the RARA) can charge up to a set "no-look" fee without filing a detailed fee application. For cases filed on or after May 1, 2024, that limit is $7,000 for a consumer case and $8,500 for a business case. A lawyer can charge less. A lawyer who wants more must ask the judge and show the work.
We quote your Chapter 13 fee in writing before you sign anything. That way you know the full cost and how much of it, if any, is due before filing.
What a flat fee may not cover
A flat fee covers a set list of work. Some cases need more. Some firms charge extra for things like these:
- Lawsuits inside the bankruptcy. If a creditor sues to stop a debt from being wiped out, that is a separate case. See adversary proceeding defense.
- Contested motions. A lender may ask the court to lift the stay, or the trustee may object to an exemption.
- Converting your case. Moving from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7, or the other way, adds work.
- Amendments and reopening. Adding a forgotten creditor or reopening a closed case.
We tell you in writing what your fee covers and what it does not, before you hire us.
What to watch for with cheap filings
A low price can cost more later. Bankruptcy petition preparers can type your forms, but they are not lawyers. Federal law bars them from giving legal advice. That means they cannot tell you which exemption system to use, whether to file now or wait, or how to protect your house or car.
- Wrong exemptions. Picking the wrong California exemption system can cost you property you could have kept.
- Missed deadlines. A late document or missed course can get your case dismissed or closed without a discharge.
- No one at your side. You go to the meeting of creditors alone and answer the trustee's questions alone.
- Hidden add-ons. Some low-price offers do not include the filing fee or charge more once problems show up.
Read more on the risks of cheap bankruptcy filings.
Bankruptcy cost questions
How much does bankruptcy cost in Beverly Hills?
Bankruptcy in Beverly Hills with our office costs a flat attorney fee starting at $1,200 for Chapter 7, plus the $338 court filing fee. Chapter 13 has a $313 filing fee, and we quote the attorney fee in writing. You also pay for two short courses, typically $50 or less each.
Can I make payments on my bankruptcy fee?
Yes, you can make payments on your bankruptcy fee. We offer payment plans for the Chapter 7 fee before filing. In Chapter 13, much of the attorney fee can be paid through your plan. The court filing fee can also be paid in installments.
Can the court filing fee be waived?
Yes, the Chapter 7 filing fee can be waived if your household income is under 150% of the federal poverty guideline and you cannot pay in installments. The judge decides. There is no waiver for the Chapter 13 filing fee.
Is the consultation free?
Yes, the consultation is free, in person at our Beverly Hills office or by video. We go over your options and tell you what your case would cost before you decide.
Why does Chapter 13 cost more than Chapter 7?
Chapter 13 costs more than Chapter 7 because the case lasts three to five years instead of a few months. Your lawyer handles the plan, trustee objections and any changes for the whole time. Most of that fee is paid through the plan, so less is due up front.
Free consultation
Know your cost before you decide
Call (310) 362-9071 or send the form. We will tell you in writing what your case would cost.
Law Offices of John Asuncion9454 Wilshire Blvd., Penthouse Floor
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 362-9071
Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.