How To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy With No Money (Free & Low-Cost Options)

Can You File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy With No Money?

Yes, it’s possible to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy with no money. There are costs involved, like court filing fees, credit counseling fees, and attorney fees. But there are also ways to reduce or eliminate these expenses.

For example, if your income is low enough, you can apply for a fee waiver to avoid paying the court filing fee. Fee waivers are also available for low-income individuals to help with the costs of the required credit counseling courses. 

You don’t have to have a lawyer to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you want legal help, you can contact your local legal aid office or see if you’re eligible to use Upsolve’s free filing tool.

👉Upsolve is a nonprofit that helps eligible individuals file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free. See if you’re eligible with our quick screener.

Many people successfully file Chapter 7 bankruptcy without paying anything upfront, especially if they qualify for waivers and use free tools like Upsolve to prepare their forms. The key is understanding your options and taking advantage of the resources available.

What Costs Are Involved in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

The overall cost of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy ultimately depends upon your situation and the complexity of your case.

 The most common costs in a Chapter 7 case are:

• Filing fee: Everyone who files for bankruptcy must pay a filing fee or submit a filing fee waiver to the bankruptcy court.

• Credit counseling fees: Under bankruptcy law every bankruptcy filer must complete two credit counseling courses — one before filing bankruptcy and the other before the bankruptcy is discharged. 

• Attorney fees: Hiring a bankruptcy attorney to handle your case is often the biggest expense for Chapter 7 filers.

Let’s take a look at each of these expenses and how you can reduce or eliminate each cost.

How Much Is the Bankruptcy Filing Fee?

💰 For Chapter 7, the fee is $338 and is usually due when you file your paperwork.

If you can't pay the filing fee, you can apply for a fee waiver.

How To Get Your Filing Fee Waived

If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can apply for a fee waiver by submitting the proper bankruptcy form.

To qualify, your household income must be below 150% of the federal poverty guideline for your family size. You also need to show that you can’t afford to pay the fee, even in installments. The bankruptcy judge will review your application and may ask for more details before making a decision.

If the judge approves your waiver, you won’t have to pay the filing fee at all. If the judge denies your request, you may have to pay the full amount or you may be able to set up a payment plan to pay in up to four installments (more on that below). Some courts may also hold a short hearing before making a final decision.

To get a detailed guide to applying for a filing fee waiver, read How To Get a Bankruptcy Filing Fee Waiver in 3 Simple Steps.

What If You Don't Qualify for a Fee Waiver?

If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you can apply to pay the filing fee in installments. Complete the required form, and submit it to the court. If you don’t submit it with your bankruptcy petition, submit it as soon as possible after your waiver request is denied.

In your application, you’ll need to propose a payment plan. Most courts allow up to four payments, with the full amount due within 120 days of filing your case.

What Are the Credit Counseling Course Fees?

Credit counseling course fees usually range from $12 to $50 per course, but you may be able to get them reduced or waived.

Under bankruptcy law, you’re required to complete two credit counseling courses from an approved nonprofit agency. 

• You have to complete the first credit counseling course before you file your bankruptcy petition.

• You have to complete the second course (the financial management course) after you file your bankruptcy case in order to qualify for the bankruptcy discharge.

These courses are available online, by phone, or in person in some areas.

If your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, federal law requires agencies to offer a fee waiver or discount. Each credit counseling agency has its own process for fee waivers, including how much they’ll reduce the cost. But they’re required to tell you if you qualify and what discounts are available.

How Much Do Bankruptcy Attorneys Charge To File Chapter 7? 

💸 Most bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee for Chapter 7 cases. The average cost is $1,500–$2,500. 

That said, fees vary based on where you live and how complex your case is. If your financial situation is straightforward, your fee will likely be on the lower end. If you have a complicated case, the fee may be higher.

If you hire a lawyer, you’ll need to pay their fee in full before filing your case. That’s because once you file bankruptcy, your attorney can’t be one of your creditors — and if you still owed them money at the time of filing, they’d technically be a creditor.

Many bankruptcy lawyers offer a free session, where they’ll review your case and give you a price quote. Upsolve can help connect you with a local bankruptcy attorney for a free consultation.

Signs Your Chapter 7 Case Might Be Complicated

Most Chapter 7 cases are straightforward, but certain factors can make things more complex. You might run into challenges if:

• You own property or assets that aren’t fully covered by exemptions in your state.

• You’re close to the income limit for Chapter 7 based on the means test.

• You have significant disposable income listed on your bankruptcy forms.

• You’re involved in a lawsuit to recover money, and the case is still pending.

• You owe tax debt from multiple years or have debts related to a divorce.

• A creditor has a judgment against you, especially if you own real estate.

• You’ve made large payments to a lender or had wages garnished ($600+ in the past 90 days).

• You filed a previous Chapter 7 case within the past eight years or had a bankruptcy dismissed in the past year.

If any of these apply to you, it might be helpful to schedule a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney. They can flag any potential issues and help you understand your options.

Do You Have To Hire a Lawyer to File Chapter 7?

No, you don’t have to hire a lawyer to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Many people successfully file on their own (called filing "pro se"), especially if their case is simple. Upsolve offers a free filing tool that helps eligible filers complete their Chapter 7 bankruptcy forms step by step. Upsolve has helped thousands of individuals get rid of over $700 million in debt through Chapter 7.

That said, a bankruptcy lawyer can be helpful if your financial situation is complex or you’re worried about handling the paperwork correctly.

Tips for Filing Chapter 7 Successfully With Limited Resources

Filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy doesn't have to be expensive. It's possible to file Chapter 7 with little or no money. Here are a few more tips to help your case succeed on a budget:

• Get organized

• Use free tools and support

• Explore low-cost or free legal help

• Get creative

Let’s take a closer look at each of these.

1. Get Organized

Staying organized makes filing for Chapter 7 much easier and increases your chances of getting a discharge. 

📄 Gather important documents like pay stubs, bank account statements, tax returns, and current credit reports before you start filling out your bankruptcy forms.

Being organized also helps you avoid common mistakes, such as:

• Forgetting to list a creditor in your bankruptcy

• Using the wrong address or account number, which could prevent a creditor from getting proper notice

• Entering estimated or inaccurate information in your petition, schedules, or forms

• Not having proof to back up the details in your paperwork if the bankruptcy trustee or judge asks for it

Taking the time to get your financial records in order upfront can make the process much smoother and help you avoid delays or complications.

2. Use Free Tools and Support

There are a lot of free resources to help you file Chapter 7 on a budget.

The official U.S. Courts website (uscourts.gov) offers free downloads of every bankruptcy form, along with instructions and links to helpful resources. Many bankruptcy courts also provide guides or assistance for people filing without a lawyer (pro se filers).

If filling out the forms on your own feels overwhelming, Upsolve’s free filing tool can help. It walks you through the process step by step and completes the necessary paperwork based on your answers. Upsolve also has a huge library of articles and guides to help you understand each part of the Chapter 7 bankruptcy process. If you prefer to learn via video, check out Upsolve’s YouTube channel.

Using the right tools can make filing for bankruptcy easier and more affordable.

3. Explore Low-Cost or Free Legal Help

If your case is complex or you’d feel more comfortable with a lawyer, you may be able to find affordable or even free legal help.

• Legal aid organizations: These nonprofits provide free or low-cost legal services to people who qualify. Many focus on specific geographic areas, so check to see what’s available in your state. Not all legal aid groups handle personal bankruptcy, and some have income restrictions.

• Pro bono attorneys: Some private bankruptcy lawyers take cases for free as part of pro bono work. Your state bar association may be able to help you find one.

• Free consultations: Most bankruptcy attorneys offer a free initial consultation. Even if you don’t hire them, this can help you understand potential issues in your case and whether legal help is worth the cost.

If hiring a lawyer isn’t in your budget, these options can help you get legal advice without paying full attorney fees.

4. Get Creative

Not everyone qualifies to file Chapter 7 for free, so you may need to come up with some money to cover the costs. Here are a few ways people do this:

• Pause payments on unsecured debts: Chapter 7 wipes out unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills, even if you’re behind on payments. Some filers temporarily stop making these payments to put that money toward bankruptcy costs instead.

• Use your tax refund: If you expect an income tax refund before filing, you may be able to use it to cover your bankruptcy fees.

• Sell personal items: The bankruptcy trustee can sell non-exempt assets to repay creditors. Selling things on your own before filing lets you control how the money is used. Even if something is exempt, you may still choose to sell it to help cover costs.

What Are the Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Fees?

Chapter 13 bankruptcy usually costs more than Chapter 7 because it takes longer and is more complex. Instead of wiping out debts quickly, Chapter 13 involves a 3–5-year repayment plan where you make monthly payments to a bankruptcy trustee.

Here’s how the costs compare:

• Filing fee: Chapter 13 filers pay a $313 filing fee. Fee waivers aren’t available, but you can request to pay in installments.

• Credit counseling courses: Just like Chapter 7, Chapter 13 requires two courses — one before filing and one before your case is completed. 

• Attorney fees: Chapter 13 is more complicated than Chapter 7, so most people need a lawyer to file successfully. You can usually include attorney fees in your repayment plan instead of paying them upfront.

• Trustee fees: Plan payments include an administrative fee for the Chapter 13 trustee, usually a percentage of what’s paid to creditors.

Filing Chapter 13 without a lawyer is much harder than filing Chapter 7 on your own. If you’re considering Chapter 13, talking to a bankruptcy attorney can help you understand your options.

How Is Chapter 13 Different From Chapter 7?

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the two most common types of consumer bankruptcy, but they work very differently.

Chapter 7 provides fast debt relief by wiping out unsecured debts like credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. Most cases take just a few months, and you don’t have to make monthly payments. 

👉This is a great option if you have little to no disposable income and want a fresh start as quickly as possible.

Chapter 13 requires a court-approved repayment plan. Instead of wiping out debt right away, you make payments over 3–5 years. This can help you catch up on secured debts like a car loan or mortgage. It can also help you catch up on priority debts like past-due child support or unpaid income taxes. A Chapter 13 trustee collects your payments and distributes them to creditors based on your plan terms. At the end of your repayment period, any remaining eligible debt is discharged.

This type of bankruptcy isn't a good option for someone with no money, because you need a steady income to make your plan payments. 

Let’s Summarize...

The most common expenses involved in Chapter 7 bankruptcy are the filing fee, credit counseling costs, and attorney fees. Fortunately, you may be able to avoid or reduce some or all of these costs. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, you can apply to have your filing fee waived or request to pay it in installments. You also qualify to have your credit counseling fees waived or reduced.

You may be able to find an attorney through a legal aid program or a private lawyer who will take your case pro bono. If you have a simple case and you're comfortable handling your own case, you can represent yourself in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. If you qualify, Upsolve’s free filing tool can help you complete your bankruptcy forms, including an application to waive the filing fee.