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How much are the court fees to file a bankruptcy case?

Click here for the current list of bankruptcy filing fees.

If the debtor is an individual and cannot pay the full fee at the time of filing, the fee may be paid in installments. To request to pay the fee in installments, file an Individual Debtor's Application to Pay Filing Fee in Installments (LBF 110) with the petition.

  • In an individual chapter 7 case, the fees may be paid in up to three monthly installments.
  • In an individual chapter 11 case, the fees may be paid in up to two monthly installments.
  • In a chapter 13 case, the fees must be paid within 45 days of filing. The plan cannot be confirmed if the filing fees are not paid.
  • If an application for payment of fees in installments is approved, the debtor may not pay an attorney or petition preparer any further money for services rendered until all fees are paid.

The court also has the discretion to waive the filing fee for an individual chapter 7 debtor if the debtor's income is less than 150% of the official poverty line (as defined by the federal government) applicable to a family of the size involved and the debtor is unable to pay that fee in installments. A fee waiver is requested by filing an Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived (Official Form 103B) with the petition. If the judge denies an application for a fee waiver, an order requiring the payment of the filing fee in installments will be entered. 

Failure to pay filing fees will result in dismissal of the bankruptcy case.

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For Debtor