How Much Does a Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost in Pennsylvania? (2026)
Bankruptcy lawyers in Pennsylvania almost universally charge flat fees — not hourly. That's a feature, not a bug: the work is well-defined, and you should know the total cost before you sign.
Typical attorney fees in Pennsylvania (2026)
- Chapter 7 (consumer): $1,200 – $2,000
- Chapter 7 (with a business or complex assets): $2,000 – $3,500
- Chapter 13: $3,500 – $5,000, often with $500–$1,500 paid up front and the balance paid through the plan
Add the court filing fee
- Chapter 7: $338
- Chapter 13: $313
Filing fees go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, not the lawyer. Chapter 7 filers below 150% of the federal poverty line can apply to waive the fee or pay it in installments.
What the flat fee should include
- Initial consultation and means-test analysis
- Preparing and filing the petition, schedules, and statement of financial affairs
- Representation at the 341 meeting of creditors
- Routine trustee correspondence
- Reaffirmation agreements (in Chapter 7) or plan confirmation (in Chapter 13)
Red flags when comparing quotes
"$500 Chapter 7." Almost always a teaser — the petition prep is unbundled and you end up paying more, or you're actually buying paralegal document prep with no attorney representation.
Hourly billing. Almost no consumer bankruptcy attorney in PA bills hourly. If you're quoted hourly, get a second opinion.
"We'll figure out the chapter later." A competent attorney can tell you Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 in the free consultation. The chapter drives the fee, and the fee should be quoted up front.
"I can't afford a lawyer right now"
You are exactly who Chapter 7 was designed for. Common options PA attorneys use:
- Payment plans. Most firms let you pay the flat fee in 2–4 installments before the case is filed. (The fee must be paid in full before filing in Chapter 7 — fees owed at filing get discharged.)
- Tax refund timing. Many PA filers pay attorney fees from their federal refund and file right after.
- Chapter 13. If you have steady income but no lump sum, Chapter 13 lets you pay attorney fees through the 3–5 year plan.
- Stop paying unsecured debt now. The money you would have sent to credit cards this month and next is usually enough to cover the filing fee + attorney fee. Those debts are going to be wiped anyway.
What a free consultation actually tells you
In 20–30 minutes a competent PA bankruptcy attorney can tell you: which chapter you qualify for, whether you keep your home and car, what the case will cost, and how long it takes. That's the value — the fee comes later. Schedule yours here.