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Who Pays for Bankruptcies?

1 minute read Upsolve is a nonprofit that helps you get out of debt with education and free debt relief tools, like our bankruptcy filing tool. Think TurboTax for bankruptcy. Get free education, customer support, and community. Featured in Forbes 4x and funded by institutions like Harvard University so we'll never ask you for a credit card.  Explore our free tool


In a Nutshell

When individuals find themselves in debt, bankruptcy can be a solution that gives you a fresh start. But when someone files for bankruptcy, who pays for it? Learn more here.

Written by the Upsolve Team
Updated January 23, 2024


If you are faced with overwhelming debt, you’re not alone. Many Americans today are drowning in financial burden and are in need of a solution. Fortunately, filing for bankruptcy can be the answer to all of your financial problems and provide you with the relief that you need. Once you’ve made the decision to file for bankruptcy and start fresh, you may wonder who exactly pays for bankruptcies? Where does all of that money go?  

Bankruptcy Pays for Itself

Filing for bankruptcy isn’t completely free. So, oftentimes, bankruptcy pays for itself. Between petition fees, liquidation of assets, and for some, repayments plans, a portion of the debt owed is paid through the bankruptcy process alone.

Cost of Personal Bankruptcies

Although the bankruptcy process does help pay for the debt, it typically only attributes a small portion of what was originally owed. So, the company that an individual owes money to usually has to absorb their losses. Sometimes, this can lead to the temporary raises in operating costs or a long term overall costs to consumers.

Upsolve Member Experiences

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Chelsea Smith
Chelsea Smith
★★★★★ 9 hours ago
I am getting so excited for a fresh start. Upsolve made it possible! I am so grateful for those who volunteer their time to us, and help us in a time of need. Here's to making smarter financial decisions AND getting to live life, not just survive!
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Charlie OBrien
Charlie O Brien
★★★★★ 9 hours ago
So far it has been a good experience. Upsolve has everything you will need to file your bankruptcy application and it goes pretty smoothly... AS LONG AS you read the recommended articles, have your required paperwork and information and are not expecting to get this done overnight. It took me 3 weeks from start to finish, so that I could go to the court and file. While I was there I saw many people having problems with their court documents, while I was in and out of the Court clerk's office within 25 minutes, because I had been so thoroughly prepared. What a relief to get my case number and upload the info to Upsolve. I would recommend to anyone who needs to file and doesn't have thousands for Attorney fees.
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Kimberly Wooten
Kimberly Wooten
★★★★★ 9 hours ago
Upsolve was super easy to use, very helpful with all documents and step by instructions.
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Cost of Corporate Bankruptcies

When a company files for bankruptcy the result can have societal impacts. Oftentimes, this results in job losses and increased prices of goods. So, when it comes to corporate bankruptcies, the employees and consumers are typically the ones who are helping pay for the debt through layoffs and a more expensive product.

Should I File for Bankruptcy?

Filing for bankruptcy can be a tough decision. With many options to weigh, bankruptcy may be the solution that you have been looking for. If you’re drowning in crippling debt and are unable to repay your debt in the foreseeable future, then bankruptcy can be the lifeline that you need.

Let Upsolve Help

If you’ve made the decision to file for bankruptcy, Upsolve can help. We offer a totally free online bankruptcy tool and access to expert bankruptcy attorneys for qualified individuals. If you do not qualify for our free services, we can also set you up with a knowledgeable, paid lawyer, and you’ll receive a free consultation before you file for bankruptcy. Complete our quick and easy form to see if you qualify for our free services. We look forward to helping you take back control of your finances and start fresh.



Written By:

The Upsolve Team

Upsolve is fortunate to have a remarkable team of bankruptcy attorneys, as well as finance and consumer rights professionals, as contributing writers to help us keep our content up to date, informative, and helpful to everyone.

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