The current Chapter 7 bankruptcy cost in Kentucky is $335. This includes a $245 filing fee, a $75 administrative fee, and a $15 trustee fee, which can be paid in full or in four smaller installments. This gives you a clear starting point for understanding the cost of filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
While the $335 filing fee covers the basic court costs, other factors—like attorney fees, credit counseling, and your personal financial situation—can affect the overall cost.
To learn more about what your Chapter 7 bankruptcy may cost and get guidance tailored to your situation, contact the experienced Louisville bankruptcy lawyers at O’Bryan Law Offices today.
How Much Is It to File Bankruptcy?
When asking the question of what it costs to file bankruptcy in Kentucky, a person must first decide what kind of bankruptcy they need to file and choose a bankruptcy lawyer. There are three main bankruptcy options, which are:
On a national average, bankruptcy costs $1500-4000, although Chapter 11 bankruptcy legal fees can cost up to approximately $19,000. You should also keep in mind the filing fee that you will be required to pay as well. Additionally, our attorneys only handle Chapter 7 bankruptcy and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
We include Chapter 11 information on this page for educational and comparative purposes.
Bankruptcy Court Filing Fees
When filing a bankruptcy petition, whether representing yourself or hiring a bankruptcy attorney, you will have to pay the court fees for your bankruptcy case to be heard. Thankfully, the fees are standardized nationally by the bankruptcy court, so the bankruptcy court filing fee will only vary based on the type of bankruptcy you choose and are the same in every state. All three types of bankruptcies will require you to pay filing fees and administrative fees. However, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case will also require a $15 bankruptcy trustee fee.
A bankruptcy trustee is a court-appointed person who is put in charge of representing a debtor’s estate during a bankruptcy case. They are in charge of collecting payments, overseeing the case, and reporting back to the bankruptcy court that the debtor is meeting their obligations. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the trustee also makes a percentage from selling off the debtor’s assets in a bankruptcy.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Filing Fees
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a way to help regain power over your finances and have your unsecured debt (medical bills, personal loans, credit card debt, etc.) legally released by the bankruptcy court. According to the most recent numbers, Chapter 7 fees are:
- Filing fee: $245
- Administrative Fee: $78
- Trustee Fee: $15
- Reopening a Chapter 7 Filing: $245
This bankruptcy is also often referred to as “liquidation bankruptcy” and is the simplest, fastest, and most common type of way to file bankruptcy. These fees listed do not include attorney fees.
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing Fees
Chapter 11 bankruptcies are designed for businesses and typically involve large sums of money. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy fees are as follows:
- Filing fee: $1167
- Administrative Fee: $571
- Reopening a Chapter 11 Filing: $1167
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Filing Fees
The court costs for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy are as follows:
- Filing fee: $235
- Administrative Fee: $78
- Reopening a Chapter 13 Filing: $235
Call (502) 339-0222 or fill out our online intake form to schedule a free consultation.
In addition to standard filing, administrative, and trustee fees, there are several other potential costs that can arise, including appeals, motions, conversions, and other administrative services.
Here is a detailed breakdown of common bankruptcy court fees for Chapters 7, 11, and 13:
| Fee Type | Chapter 7 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 13 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $245 | $1,167 | $235 | Required to file the petition |
| Administrative Fee | $78 | $571 | $78 | Covers court administrative costs |
| Trustee Fee | $15 | N/A | N/A | Only applies to Chapter 7 |
| Reopening Case | $245 | $1,167 | $235 | Fee to reopen a closed case |
| Appeals | $293 | $293 | $293 | Fee for appealing a court decision |
| Motion – Lift Stay | $176 | $176 | $176 | Fee to request lifting the automatic stay |
| Motion – Compel Abandonment | $176 | $176 | $176 | Request to have property abandoned from estate |
| Motion – Withdraw Reference | $176 | $176 | $176 | Transfer case back to district court |
| Motion – Sell Property | $176 | $176 | $176 | Fee for selling property through court |
| Conversion Fee | $25–$50 | $25–$50 | $25–$50 | Converting case to a different chapter |
| Certifications / Copies / Retrieval | $0.50 per page / $26–$30 | $0.50 per page / $26–$30 | $0.50 per page / $26–$30 | Fees for documents, records, and copies |
What Are the Credit Counseling Course Fees in Kentucky?
When considering bankruptcy, one important step is credit counselling in Louisville, KY. Completing a credit counseling course is legally required before you can file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
In Kentucky, these sessions are typically conducted online or over the phone and usually take 60 to 90 minutes to complete. Upon finishing, you will receive a certificate of completion, which must be filed with the court to comply with federal bankruptcy rules. Some providers may offer fee waivers if you cannot afford the course.
Credit counseling helps you evaluate your finances and explore alternatives before filing, which can impact many bankruptcy costs, including potential attorney charges. Counselors may assist in setting up manageable repayment plans over 3–5 years and teach budgeting and debt management strategies.
Benefits include:
- Avoiding bankruptcy if possible
- Rebuilding credit
- Consolidating debts into one monthly payment at a potentially lower interest rate
However, credit counseling has limits. Counselors cannot guarantee creditor approval for reduced balances or interest rates, and you must follow the payment plan and budgeting guidance to see results. Even with these programs, filing for bankruptcy may still be necessary depending on your financial situation.
What Are the Bankruptcy Attorney Fees?
In the wake of watching your finances crumble, it can be daunting to worry about paying bankruptcy attorney fees. Fortunately, in the state of Kentucky, bankruptcy attorney fees average between $1100-$1200.
If you need legal aid and would like to discuss potential attorney fees regarding bankruptcy with an experienced Hopkinsville bankruptcy lawyer, please call O’Bryan Law Offices today at (502) 339-0222.
Factors That Affect Bankruptcy Costs for Attorney Fees
No one dealing with a monetary hardship wants to encounter surprise costs and legal fees. That’s why many other things would need to be factored in that could potentially affect bankruptcy costs for attorney fees. Some of these include:
- Filing bankruptcy for a business as well as a personal one.
- You have multiple income streams.
- You have non-exempt assets.
- You are filing without your spouse or filing jointly with your spouse.
- You have fraud allegations against you or there is a likelihood that bankruptcy fraud was committed.
- You have filed for bankruptcy in the last eight years.
- You earn more than the state’s average income for your household size.
- You have an excessively long list of creditors you owe.
- Trying to stop any other legal action against you such as foreclosure.
- You have non-dischargeable debts like child support, alimony, past due taxes, or student loans.
Bankruptcy attorneys do require payment before service when handling Chapter 7 cases, but they often offer a payment plan option. They usually will not take on the case until the attorney fees are paid, as these fees are an essential part of the bankruptcy process.
How to Pay for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Aside from working extra hours or trying to raise money on your own to pay for bankruptcy, there are options available for payment plans and credit counseling. There are also options for low-income individuals in some states as well.
To see if you qualify in the state of Kentucky regarding filing bankruptcy, please contact O’Bryan Law Offices and get legal help today.
Can All Debts Be Eliminated in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
While bankruptcy may seem like the answer to the problems you are facing regarding crippling debt, filing for bankruptcy does not eliminate all debt. Any good bankruptcy attorney will advise you that several assets cannot be dismissed in a bankruptcy case, some of which are:
- Child support
- Alimony
- Veteran’s benefits
- Retirement accounts
- Life insurance
- Wages earned once filed
- Social security benefits
- Unemployment benefits
- Monetary awards from a personal injury case
- And more.
Dealing with financial hardship can be overwhelming, and it’s important to seek legal assistance to protect yourself from debt collectors and minimize credit damage. The experienced team of bankruptcy attorneys at O’Bryan Law Offices can guide you through understanding fees in Kentucky and the overall cost of bankruptcy.
Contact our Louisville bankruptcy lawyers today at (502) 339-0222 to schedule your free consultation and get personalized guidance for your situation.
