What is the cheapest way to file for chapter 7 bankruptcy? This is a fair question. If you are thinking about bankruptcy you probably can’t afford to spend much money on filing for one. One way to delay spending money is by applying for an installment payment plan of the filing fee. The Court rules allow for payment of the $335 filing fee within 120 days after you file for the bankruptcy. Another option is to enter a payment plan with the bankruptcy lawyer. I can work out payment plans. But, you should be aware that the entire attorney fee must be paid prior to filing, otherwise the attorney ends up being a creditor which the attorney cannot do when the debtor is also the attorney’s client. Some people try to represent themselves. However, according to Ed Flynn of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), in 91.5% of the 486,347 Chapter 7 cases filed in 2017, the debtor was represented by an attorney. In these cases, 96.2% of debtors received a discharge. Pro se debtors received a discharge in only 66.7% of filings. It may seem cheaper to try to do it yourself but in the long run it can cost you more than if you retained an experienced bankruptcy lawyer.
