Chapter 13 cost · Beverly Hills
What Chapter 13 Costs and How the Plan Pays the Fee
What Chapter 13 costs comes down to three parts: the $313 court filing fee, the attorney fee and the trustee's fee. Much of the attorney fee can be paid through your plan instead of up front, and we quote your fee, and what is due before filing, in writing before you sign. Call (310) 362-9071 for a free consultation.
- Court filing fee is $313
- Much of the attorney fee can be paid through the plan
- We quote your Chapter 13 fee in writing
At a glance
The three parts of a Chapter 13 cost
A Chapter 13 case has a filing fee, an attorney fee and a trustee fee. Two short courses add a small amount on top.
| Item | Amount | When it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Court filing fee | $313 | At filing, or in up to four installments within 120 days |
| Attorney fee | Quoted in writing; the court's no-look limit is $7,000 (consumer) or $8,500 (business) | Some before filing, the rest can go through the plan |
| Trustee fee | A percentage of each plan payment, capped at 10% by federal law | Inside each monthly plan payment |
| Two required courses | Typically $50 or less each | One before filing, one before the plan ends |
The fee limits shown apply to cases filed on or after May 1, 2024, in the Central District of California. The trustee's percentage is set by the U.S. Trustee Program and can change.
How the court limits Chapter 13 attorney fees
The court limits Chapter 13 attorney fees through a standard agreement. In the Central District of California, it is called the Rights and Responsibilities Agreement, or RARA. You and your lawyer both sign it. It lists what your lawyer must do and what you must do during the case.
A lawyer who uses the RARA can charge up to a "no-look" fee. That means the judge approves it without a detailed bill. For cases filed on or after May 1, 2024, the no-look fee is up to $7,000 for a consumer case and up to $8,500 for a business case. A lawyer may charge less. A lawyer who wants more must file a fee application and show the judge the work done.
We quote your Chapter 13 fee in writing. You will know the full amount before you sign.
Why most of the fee is paid through the plan
Most of the Chapter 13 fee is paid through the plan because Chapter 13 is built that way. You make one monthly plan payment to the trustee. The trustee pays your creditors and also pays your lawyer's unpaid fee over time, once the court approves the plan.
This helps when you are behind on a mortgage or car loan and cannot pay a large sum up front. Part of the fee may be due before filing, and the rest can be spread across the plan. We put both amounts in writing.
Chapter 13 often makes sense when you want to stop a foreclosure and catch up on missed payments, or when your income is too high for Chapter 7. Learn more about Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
The trustee's fee
The Chapter 13 trustee's fee comes out of each plan payment. You do not write a separate check. The trustee keeps a percentage to run the case, and federal law caps that percentage at 10%. The rest goes to your creditors and your lawyer.
Your plan payment is figured with the trustee's fee already included. When we build your plan, we show you how each payment will be split.
What to watch for
- Missing plan payments. If you fall behind, the trustee can ask the court to dismiss your case. See Chapter 13 dismissal.
- Extra work over five years. Changing the plan or fighting a motion may cost more. Some firms charge extra for this; ask what is included.
- Comparing only the up-front amount. Ask for the total fee, not just what is due before filing.
- Forgetting the second course. You must file the certificate no later than the date of your last plan payment to get your discharge.
What it costs
- Chapter 7: flat attorney fee from $1,200, plus the $338 court filing fee
- Chapter 13: attorney fee quoted in writing, and part of it can be paid through the plan
- Payment plans are available, and the first consultation is free
More on what bankruptcy costs
- What Bankruptcy Costs in Beverly Hills
- What Chapter 7 Costs: Full Breakdown
- What Chapter 13 Costs and How the Plan Pays the Fee
- Filing Fees, Fee Waivers and Installment Plans
- Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Courses
Chapter 13 cost questions
How much does Chapter 13 cost?
Chapter 13 costs a $313 court filing fee, an attorney fee and a trustee fee built into your plan payments. In the Central District, the no-look attorney fee is up to $7,000 for a consumer case filed on or after May 1, 2024. We quote your fee in writing.
Do I have to pay the whole Chapter 13 fee up front?
No, you do not have to pay the whole Chapter 13 fee up front. Much of it can be paid through your plan. A smaller amount is usually due before filing.
Can the Chapter 13 filing fee be waived?
No, the Chapter 13 filing fee cannot be waived. The fee waiver is only for Chapter 7. You can pay the $313 fee in up to four installments. See filing fee installments.
What happens to my lawyer's fee if my case is dismissed?
If your case is dismissed, what happens to your lawyer's unpaid fee depends on the court's orders and your agreement. We explain this in writing before you sign.
Is Chapter 13 more expensive than Chapter 7?
Yes, Chapter 13 usually costs more than Chapter 7 because it lasts three to five years. Compare on our Chapter 7 cost page.
Free consultation
Get your Chapter 13 fee in writing
Call (310) 362-9071 or send the form. We will review your case for free and quote your fee.
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.