Short answer: Filing bankruptcy in Florida currently costs $338 in court filing fees for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, plus the cost of two short credit counseling courses (typically $10–$50 each) and attorney fees. Attorney fees for a straightforward Chapter 7 in North Florida generally run in the low four figures, while Chapter 13 attorney fees are mostly paid through your monthly plan rather than up front. Low-income filers can have the Chapter 7 filing fee waived entirely. Here is the full breakdown.
Court Filing Fees in 2026
- Chapter 7: $338 total (a $245 case filing fee, $78 administrative fee, and $15 trustee surcharge).
- Chapter 13: $313 total (a $235 filing fee plus the $78 administrative fee).
These fees are set nationally by the Judicial Conference and are the same in every federal bankruptcy court, including the Middle and Northern Districts of Florida.
Can’t Afford the Filing Fee? Two Options
- Fee waiver (Chapter 7 only): if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and you can’t pay in installments, you can ask the court to waive the fee completely using Official Form 103B.
- Installment payments: both chapters allow the filing fee to be split into up to four installments over several months after filing, using Form 103A.
Mandatory Credit Counseling Courses
Every filer must complete two short courses from approved providers:
- a credit counseling course before filing, and
- a debtor education course after filing, before discharge.
Each typically costs about $10–$50 and can be done online or by phone; fee waivers are available from many providers if your income is low.
Attorney Fees: Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13
Chapter 7
Chapter 7 attorney fees are normally paid before filing (a Chapter 7 discharge would wipe out an unpaid fee owed to your own attorney). For a routine consumer case, North Florida attorney fees are generally in the range of roughly $1,000–$2,500, depending on the complexity of your case — business debts, significant assets, or prior filings increase the work involved.
Chapter 13
Chapter 13 looks more expensive on paper, but most of the attorney fee is paid through the 3–5 year repayment plan in your regular monthly payment — not up front. Florida bankruptcy courts use standard “no-look” fee guidelines for routine Chapter 13 cases, so the fee is reviewed and approved by the court. In practice, many filers get a Chapter 13 case on file for a modest initial payment, with the balance folded into the plan.
Other Costs to Budget For
- Credit reports and document gathering — usually minimal, sometimes included in the attorney fee.
- Amendments or reopening fees — only if schedules need to be amended after filing ($34 for adding creditors, for example).
- Chapter 13 plan payments — not a “cost” of filing, but the monthly number that matters most; it’s set by your budget, your debts, and what the law requires you to repay.
Is Bankruptcy Worth the Cost?
Compare the one-time cost of filing with what debt is already costing you every month: minimum payments, interest, late fees, garnished wages, and collection lawsuits. A completed Chapter 7 typically discharges unsecured debt in a matter of months; a Chapter 13 can stop foreclosure and repossession and restructure what you owe. For most families in financial distress, the cost of filing is far less than the cost of staying where they are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file bankruptcy in Florida for free?
If you qualify for a Chapter 7 fee waiver (income under 150% of the poverty line) and use a low-cost credit counseling provider, your out-of-pocket court costs can be reduced to nearly zero. Attorney representation is a separate decision — some simple cases are filed pro se, but mistakes in exemptions or the means test can be costly.
How much does it cost to file Chapter 7 in Jacksonville or North Florida?
The court fee is the same $338 everywhere. Local attorney fees for routine consumer cases are commonly quoted as flat fees in the low four figures — ask exactly what the quote includes (the 341 meeting, reaffirmations, amendments).
Why is Chapter 13 attorney’s fee paid through the plan?
Because the court supervises and approves compensation in Chapter 13, most of the fee can be spread across the life of your repayment plan, which keeps the upfront cost of getting protection low.
Do married couples pay double?
No. Spouses filing jointly pay a single filing fee for one joint case, and attorney fees for a joint case are typically the same or only modestly higher than for an individual case.
This article provides general information, not legal advice, and fee figures can change. For an exact, personalized quote and a free case evaluation in North Florida, contact our office.