How Much Does It Cost to File Bankruptcy in Florida?

The Court Filing Fees

The filing fees are set by the federal courts and are the same everywhere in Florida — Miami, Tampa, or Jacksonville. A Chapter 7 petition costs $338 to file, and a Chapter 13 petition costs $313.

If you can’t pay the fee all at once, the court will usually let you pay in up to four installments after filing. For Chapter 7 only, filers with household income below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines can apply to have the fee waived entirely.

Required Courses

Federal law requires two short courses for every bankruptcy: a credit counseling course before you file and a debtor education course before your discharge. Each typically costs $25–$50 from an approved provider, and both can be completed online or by phone. Some providers reduce or waive the fee for low-income filers.

Attorney Fees: The Biggest Variable

Chapter 7: Florida attorney fees typically run $1,000–$3,500 depending on the complexity of your case — whether you own a home, have business debts, or face aggressive creditors. Because Chapter 7 wipes out unsecured debts, attorney fees must be paid in full before your case is filed; a fee still owed to your lawyer would otherwise be a dischargeable debt.

Chapter 13: Fees are higher — usually $3,500–$5,000 in Florida — because a Chapter 13 involves a three-to-five-year repayment plan that your attorney builds and manages. The good news: most of the fee is paid through the plan in monthly installments rather than upfront, which often makes Chapter 13 easier to start even though it costs more overall.

It may feel backwards to pay for help when you’re filing because you can’t pay your debts. But filing errors — a missed exemption, a mistake on the means test — can cost you property or get your case dismissed, which is far more expensive than doing it right the first time.

What a Bankruptcy Costs in Total

Putting it together, a straightforward Chapter 7 in Florida generally totals about $1,500–$3,500 including the filing fee and courses. A Chapter 13 generally totals $3,500–$5,500, with most of it spread across your plan payments. Cases with businesses, rental properties, or significant assets can cost more.

Bankruptcy Costs in Miami-Dade County

Miami-Dade cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida, which has a courthouse in downtown Miami. The federal filing fees are identical here, but Miami attorney rates tend toward the higher end of the state ranges. Arturo R. Alfonso P.A. has served Miami-Dade families in English and Spanish for over 35 years and offers consultations that include a clear, upfront quote for your specific case — including whether you qualify for a filing-fee installment plan or waiver. If you’ve been searching for a bankruptcy attorney near me in Miami, we can give you a real number before you commit to anything.

Related Questions

• What is the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?
• Will I lose my house if I file bankruptcy in Florida?
• Can I keep my car in Chapter 7 in Florida?
• All bankruptcy questions

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