The total cost of filing bankruptcy typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 for a straightforward case. Here's the breakdown.

Court filing fees: Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. Chapter 13 filing fee is $313. These are set by the federal courts and are the same nationwide. If you can't afford the fee, you can request to pay in installments (up to 4 payments over 120 days) or, for Chapter 7 only, apply for a fee waiver if your income is below 150% of the federal poverty level.

Credit counseling courses: Federal law requires two courses: a pre-filing credit counseling session and a post-filing debtor education course. Each costs $10 to $50 from approved providers. Total: $20 to $100. Free options are available for people who can't afford the fees.

Attorney fees: This is the big variable. Chapter 7 attorney fees typically range from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on your location and the complexity of your case. Major metro areas tend to be on the higher end. Chapter 13 attorney fees range from $2,500 to $6,000. In Chapter 13, the attorney fee is often included in your repayment plan, so you don't have to pay it all upfront.

Can you file without an attorney? Legally, yes. It's called filing "pro se." The court filing fee is the same. You'd do your own paperwork using the official bankruptcy forms (available on the U.S. Courts website). For a simple Chapter 7 with no assets, no business, and straightforward income, this is doable. Tools like Upsolve offer free guided Chapter 7 filing for people who qualify based on income.

However, filing pro se for Chapter 13 is generally not advisable. The repayment plan calculations are complex, and errors can result in your case being dismissed or your plan not being confirmed. Most bankruptcy judges strongly encourage Chapter 13 filers to have an attorney.

Total cost estimates:

Chapter 7 with attorney: $1,500 to $3,000 (filing fee + counseling + attorney). Chapter 7 without attorney: $360 to $440 (filing fee + counseling only). Chapter 13 with attorney: $3,000 to $6,500 (filing fee + counseling + attorney, with much of the attorney fee rolled into the plan).

How to afford it: Many bankruptcy attorneys offer payment plans for Chapter 7 fees. Some require full payment before filing, others accept partial payment with the rest due before the meeting of creditors (about 30 days after filing). Don't put attorney fees on a credit card right before filing bankruptcy, as that could be considered fraudulent.