How much does it cost to hire a bankruptcy lawyer in Pennsylvania? The price of a personal bankruptcy attorney in Pennsylvania is approximately $1,222.50, although prices vary depending on the type and the complexity of the bankruptcy. Most bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee to cover their basic services.
Chapter 13 lawyer fees are usually between $3000-$3500 although we typically let clients pay half of the fee through their re-payment Plan. In our firm, it is appropriate to budget $1500-$2000 to get a Chapter 13 filed, including all costs, with any legal fee balance paid through the bankruptcy repayment Plan.
Jan 24, 2017 ¡ Attorneys' Fee Guidelines in Pennsylvania The presumptive lawyersâ fees in Pennsylvania for Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases that donât involve a business range from $3,000 to $4,500, with add-ons for services beyond the basics.
One of the first questions our Philadelphia bankruptcy lawyers are asked is, âhow much will this cost?â. The answer is not simple and depends on numerous factors. However, on average, a Chapter 7 case ranges from $1,500 to $2,500, while a Chapter 13 bankruptcy could cost you anywhere between $3,500 and $4,000.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition | $338 |
---|---|
Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition | $1,738 |
Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Petition | $278 |
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Petition | $313 |
Chapter 15 Bankruptcy Petition | $1,738 |
Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | |
---|---|---|
Filing fees | $338 | $313 |
Attorney fees* | $500 - $3,500 | $1,500 - $6,000 |
Total | $838 - $3,838 | $1,813 - $6,313 |
Private Practice | 2022 annual salary range |
---|---|
Associate | R650 000 â R850 000 |
Newly Qualified | R580 000 â R650 000 |
Partner | R1 400 000 â R2 200 000 |
Senior Associate | R850 000 â R1 400 000 |
Weâve reviewed the Chapter 13 fee guidelines that bankruptcy district courts in Pennsylvania have issued (usually in the form of local rules). The fees our readers told us they paidâtypically from $1,250 to $3,000âfall in line with the maximum amounts recommended by the courts in Pennsylvania, though a few paid more.
The guidelines for presumptive attorneysâ fees in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (which includes Philadelphia, Reading, and Allentown) are:
The guidelines for no-look attorneysâ fees in the Middle District of Pennsylvania (which includes Wilkes-Barre, Harrisburg, and Williamsport) are:
In the Western District of Pennsylvania (which includes Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown), the guideline for presumed attorneysâ fees (in rule 2016-1) is $4,000 for all Chapter 13 cases. The rule lists the legal services that must be included in this fee. It also states that attorneys can charge no more than $500 in âno-look expenses.â
Fee structure: Many lawyers will charge a flat rate when taking on a bankruptcy case. This is especially true in cases for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. This means that a client will have a general idea of how much a bankruptcy lawyerâs services will cost. It also means that the client will likely need to pay a portion of the flat fee upfront.
An experienced bankruptcy lawyer can assist you in weighing the risks and benefits of filing for bankruptcy, and can help you in selecting the proper chapter of bankruptcy based on your personal circumstances. They can also aid you in drafting and filing the legal documents required to file for bankruptcy in court.
The primary goal of bankruptcy is to restructure and manage a personâs overwhelming debts. In some cases, such as those for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the purpose may shift to partially reducing or entirely eliminating such debts. Bankruptcy attorneys can provide a wide range of legal services to help their clients achieve these goals. Some examples of what a bankruptcy attorney does on a regular basis can include: 1 Ensuring that the client understands what bankruptcy is, how filing for bankruptcy will personally affect them and/or their business, and that they know what their legal obligations are if their petition for bankruptcy is approved by the court. 2 Making sure that the client complies with all the laws and procedural requirements associated with the bankruptcy process, such as attending the mandatory credit counseling courses and the 341 meeting of the creditors. 3 Gathering, drafting, and reviewing all documents and any evidence pertaining to the bankruptcy matter. 4 Offering legal counsel on any questions or concerns that a client has prior to, during, and/or after the bankruptcy petition is filed. 5 Explaining the rights and protections that a client has under the relevant bankruptcy laws. 6 Assisting the client with further bankruptcy issues, such as resolving disputes with creditors, converting their case to a different chapter of bankruptcy if necessary, and stopping creditors from harassing them after they declare bankruptcy.
As of December 1, 2016 the Court Costs for filing for bankruptcy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are as follows:#N#Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition $335.00#N#Chapter 9 Bankruptcy Petition $1,717.00#N#Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Petition $1,717.00#N#Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Petition $275.00#N#Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Petition $310.00#N#Chapter 15 Bankruptcy Petition $1,717.00.
Other bankruptcy-related expenses include office expenses, transportation to and from hearings, conversion other legal expenses, postage, copies, amendments and similar. Many of these expenses are not immediately known until further along in a bankruptcy case. â
Bankruptcy attorney fees vary based upon location, filing type and complexity of the case. While the fee range varies, most lawyers will a charge a fixed rate with an hourly fee for additional services or additional fees âbuiltâ into the plan.
The average cost of a bankruptcy lawyer in Pennsylvania is about $1,250, but it can range from just under $1,000 up to $1,500 depending on the complexity of the case and where youâre physically located. If youâre hoping to file with the help of a bankruptcy attorney, schedule a free consultation with them to find out how much theyâd charge for your Pennsylvania bankruptcy case.
The bankruptcy court in the district youâre filing in may require additional local forms. Pennsylvania is divided into three federal districts - the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the Western District of Pennsylvania.
Written by Attorney Eva Bacevice. Pennsylvania is well known for being home to the first capital of our country, the Liberty Bell, and the first American flag. Pennsylvania also has a number of tasty claims to fame, including the chocolate capital of the United States (Hershey, PA) and the Philly cheesesteak.
Wherever you print your forms, make certain to do so on one-sided pages. The court wonât accept double-sided print-outs.
In order to file a Chapter 7 case, you will need to qualify under Pennsylvania bankruptcy laws by passing the Means Test. You can do so in one of two ways. First, based on your monthly income and household size, you might immediately qualify for a Chapter 7 if you are under the average median income in Pennsylvania. Second, even if you earn more than the income limit allows, you may still qualify by completing the second portion of the Means Test.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania Requirements. The Eastern District is divided into two divisions with courthouses in Philadelphia and Reading. The Philadelphia division handles cases for Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware, Philadelphia, and Chester counties.
Currently, the filing fee for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $338 but itâs set to go up to $338 as of December 1, 2020.
Factors that can add to fees include: 1 Filing for a business bankruptcy as well as a personal one 2 Whether you are filing jointly with your spouse or filing bankruptcy without your spouse 3 You have multiple sources of income 4 You have non-exempt assets 5 You have numerous assets or unusual assets 6 You earn more than your stateâs median income for the size of your household 7 Having an extensive number of creditors 8 Having filed for bankruptcy before in the past eight years 9 Trying to stop another legal action such as a foreclosure filing against your property, an eviction, a bank levy or a repossession of property that served as loan collateral 10 Accusations that you committed fraud, or the likelihood that such accusations might be made 11 You have non-dischargeable debts such as student loans, child support, alimony or past-due taxes
The Martindale-Nolo study showed an average of $3,000 for Chapter 13 cases, with ranges from from $2,500 to $5,000. Chapter 13 fees are often governed by the bankruptcy court in the particular district so fees vary widely from district to district.
Though a successful Chapter 7 petition will discharge your debts, it will remain on your credit report for as long as 10 years , affecting your ability to borrow.
If you fail to complete documents properly or on time, or if you face a creditor who questions your financial disclosures, you might find that youâre ill-equipped to handle your case. If done incorrectly, a Chapter 7 trustee can sell your assets.
Chapter 7 fees generally range from a low of $1,000 to high of $1,750. Of course every case is different, and a number of factors can affect the cost of your case.
A Chapter 13 resolution might not be as damaging, but it will require that you stick to a repayment plan for three to five years, even if the court reduces your debts. Given the consequences, discussing a disability or your advanced years with an attorney can help.