Know the full cost before you spend a dime.
Most people assume filing bankruptcy is free — then feel blindsided when they hear a price. It shouldn’t be a mystery. Here is exactly what a Chapter 7 case at A Fresh Start Law costs, what the fee includes, and how the payment plan works.
First things first
So… what does Chapter 7 actually cost?
There is no “free” bankruptcy. Every case has three kinds of costs — and we put all three right here on this page, so nothing catches you off guard:
1 · The attorney fee (flat)
One flat fee covers Dorothy Bunce’s legal work on your entire routine case — from your first consultation to your discharge. It’s set in a written agreement you review and sign, so the number is locked in.
2 · The court filing fee
$338Paid to the bankruptcy court — not to us. It’s the same for every filer in the country, and we collect it only at the court’s actual cost.
3 · Required classes & credit report
$44 + reportFederal law requires two short courses ($24 + $20) and a credit report ($45–$90) used to prepare your case. Both classes are arranged for you — the price is inside your flat-fee package.
Why people pay different amounts
Your fee is tailored to your situation — not a one-size-fits-all number
The law firm’s work depends on your facts. Three things move the price up or down:
Married couples
A joint case costs more than an individual case — there are two of nearly everything: two sets of schedules, a credit report for each spouse, and more attorney time preparing and reviewing both financial lives.
Self-employment
If anyone in the household is self-employed — even a small side hustle — the case takes real extra work: business income records, profit & loss, and closer trustee review. So the fee is higher, regardless of how much the business earns.
Income vs. the median
The government sets a “median income” for Nevada households of each size. Below it, the case is simpler and the fee is lower. Above it, extra forms and analysis are required and the fee is higher.
Flat fee & costs
Chapter 7 pricing — below-median income, with self-employment
One number covers your whole routine case: attorney fee + court filing fee + both required classes + credit report. Fees current as of August 2026.
Filing alone
👤 Individual case
Married & filing together
👫 Joint (couple) case
💡 Why does a joint case cost $159 more? A credit report for each spouse (+$45) and $114 more attorney time to prepare and review a second spouse’s complete paperwork.
Budget-friendly
You don’t need the whole amount to start — $450 down
If you’d rather spread it out, the standard plan is a $450 down payment and the balance in equal monthly payments over 5 months:
Individual example: $2,107 total → $450 down + 5 × $331.40. Joint example: $2,266 total → $450 down + 5 × $363.20.
Full service
What your flat fee covers
Start to discharge — the routine work of your Chapter 7 case:
Transparency
Other services & fees (Schedule A)
Most clients never need these. But if your case requires extra work, here’s what it costs — additional attorney time is billed at $275/hour unless a flat rate is listed.
View the full list of additional service fees
| Additional service | Current fee |
|---|---|
| Adding creditors after filing | $90 |
| Additional corrections / reworking budget or petition | $275/hour |
| Additional reminders re: trustee documents | $45 each |
| Additional consultations | $275/hour; $75 minimum |
| Additional attorney time (unspecified service) | $275/hour |
| Additional garnishment notification work (beyond the 1st) | $55 each |
| Business / self-employment bankruptcy issues | $275/hour and up |
| Contested matter / adversary proceeding | $500 retainer + $275/hour |
| Emergency filing within 48 hours | $210 |
| Judgment-lien / lien-removal work | $999 and up |
| Missed §341 Meeting of Creditors | $185 |
| More than 25 creditors (beyond those on your credit report) | $10 each |
| Objection to proof of claim | $600 and up |
| Redemption proceeding | $800 and up |
| Removing a judgment lien after case closure | $1,700 and up |
| Reopening a closed Chapter 7 case | Court filing fee + $275/hour |
| Substantial amendment after filing | $90 and up |
| Substantial Trustee / UST investigation | $275/hour; retainer may be required |
| Updating records & documents after a delay | $275/hour |
Estimates for routine instances of these services. Substantial litigation or unusually complex matters may require a separate written fee agreement. Invoices for additional services are due within 15 days.
Common questions
Questions people ask about the cost
Is Chapter 7 bankruptcy free?
No — and if someone tells you it is, be careful. The court itself charges a $338 filing fee, federal law requires two short courses and a credit report, and the attorney’s legal work is a flat fee. The good news: everything is listed on this page, in writing, before you commit to anything.
What will I pay in total?
For the pricing shown on this page (below-median income, self-employed household): $2,107 total for an individual and $2,266 total for a married couple filing together — attorney fee, filing fee, classes, and credit reports all included. If your situation is different (regular W-2 employment only, or income above the Nevada median), your fee will be different — call (702) 551-3256 and we’ll quote your exact number.
Can I pay over time?
Yes. The standard plan is $450 down and the balance spread over 5 months — for example, $331.40/month for an individual case. A larger down payment lowers the monthly amount proportionally.
Why does the payment plan only last 5 months?
The financial documents your case is built on — your credit report and your course certificates — expire after about 6 months. Paying over 5 months means everything is still current when your case is filed. It’s designed to protect you, not rush you.
Why does self-employment make the fee higher?
Self-employment — even a small side business — adds real work: documenting business income and expenses, preparing profit-and-loss figures, and responding to the closer scrutiny the trustee gives business income. This applies no matter how little the business earns. W-2-only cases are simpler, so they cost less.
Why does a married couple pay more than a single person?
A joint case is one case with two of nearly everything: two sets of schedules, a credit report for each spouse, and more attorney time preparing and reviewing both spouses’ finances. On this page’s pricing, that adds $159 in total.
What if my household income is above the Nevada median?
Above-median cases require extra forms and analysis (the “means test”), so the fee is higher than the amounts shown here. It depends on your household size and income — a short call is all it takes to get your exact flat fee: (702) 551-3256. You can also check the current official median figures here.
Could I get hit with extra fees later?
Not for routine work — start-to-discharge representation is inside the flat fee. Extra fees only arise for non-routine services (like creditor lawsuits, reaffirmation agreements, or emergency filings), and the full price list is published above. Before any extra work is done, we explain what’s needed and what it costs.
Wondering which price applies to you?
One short call is all it takes. We’ll confirm your exact flat fee — before you pay anything — and if bankruptcy isn’t your best move, we’ll tell you that too.