If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, you’re probably concerned about the costs associated with this debt relief process. This is understandable. It’s not easy to think about adding any costs to your family budget when it’s already stretched to its limits. Perhaps it is even stretched past its limits. Know that even though there are costs associated with filing for bankruptcy, the financial benefits that bankruptcy provides are almost always worth this upfront investment. Additionally, most of the costs associated with bankruptcy are made manageable by experienced legal professionals and by the courts. If anyone understands why it’s important to keep bankruptcy-related fees and costs manageable, it’s those who spend their days helping debtors navigate this process.
Bankruptcy Costs – The Basics
The two primary costs associated with filing for bankruptcy are legal fees and court costs. Court costs are usually fairly straightforward and are calculated according to the Chapter of the Bankruptcy Code you’re filing under. Depending on your income level, you may be eligible to submit a fee waiver request to the Court so that it can evaluate your petition for free. Alternatively, you may petition the Court for permission to pay your fee in installments so that they’re more manageable.
Legal fees are a little less straightforward, as each attorney charges filers a different amount for the benefit of their guidance and practical support. Fees vary by geography, the experience level of the attorney in question and (oftentimes) the complexity of the filer’s case. Depending on a firm’s approach, a filer may be asked to pay some fees upfront or may be allowed to begin their bankruptcy process with no money down. Most firms are willing to work with filers to craft payment schedules that make sense. After all, bankruptcy attorneys understand that filers don’t generally have access to a lot of disposable income all at once when they’re in a position to take advantage of the bankruptcy process.
Legal Assistance Is Available
If you’re understandably concerned about the costs associated with filing for bankruptcy, please don’t let this fear stand in the way of exploring whether this debt relief option is right for you and your family. Scheduling a consultation with our experienced legal team will not obligate you to take any action whatsoever. However, speaking with our team will allow you to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of bankruptcy, as well as how the costs of this process may impact your family budget. You may be surprised to learn that the cost of filing for bankruptcy is far more manageable than you originally anticipated it would be. As consultations are risk-free and confidential, there is no reason to hesitate coming in and having a discussion about your options. Once we learn about your situation, we can give you specific feedback about how to make obtaining debt relief a manageable process.
