Chapter 13 cost of filing bankruptcy in the Portland Metro Area
The cost is broken into three components – a filing fee, some mandatory class fees, and the attorney fees. The filing fee is currently $310.00 and the mandatory class fees are usually about $60.00. As to the attorney fee, like everything, the devil is in the details which is why we provide a free consultation so we can learn about your problem, identify your goals, and develop a strategy to achieve those goals. For most people, Chapter 13 attorney fees that must be paid up front generally range between $1,130.00 and $1,630.00. The up-front costs are about the same as Chapter 7 so that you are not priced out of a better legal solution IF your goals warrant it. In chapter 13 we are your attorney for five years so it is impossible to predict an exact fee. The total fee in a chapter 13 is frequently substantially higher than chapter 7 but those fees are frequently paid on a monthly basis after your case is filed. That being said, for chapter 13 we provide you education up front and tools to facilitate your progress over those five years in order to keep your attorney fee as low as possible.
What do I get for my money when I file chapter 13 bankruptcy?
With our firm your initial meeting will be in person, with an attorney. Some firms charge lower attorney fees because the initial meeting is over the phone or through remote video and often the initial meeting is with a staff person NOT a lawyer. Bankruptcy can be a stressful process and people have varied goals besides just debt elimination. You want it done RIGHT THE FIRST TIME with no surprises. It is worth paying a bit more to meet with a lawyer to develop a strategy to solve your financial problem.
With our firm, your meeting to sign the bankruptcy petition will be with an attorney. It is absolutely vital that the roughly 40 page bankruptcy petition is accurate and presents the information in a way to facilitate your goals. You are signing your bankruptcy petition under penalty of perjury – you want it to be right! With our firm you and the attorney will review the petition together and make the necessary changes. Some firms charge lower fees because they rely on a staff person to review your petition with you.
With our firm, your attorney will meet with you after the case is over to make sure your goals were met, to make sure the creditors are accurately reporting the bankruptcy on your credit report, and to discuss methods to help rebuild your credit and move on with your financial recovery. Ask the “low cost leader” if they provide such services – the answer will be negative.
