What $0 down means here
You pay no attorney fees before your bankruptcy petition is filed. Our fee for most Chapter 7 cases is a $2,500 flat fee, paid $250 a month, with the first payment due 30 days after filing.
Two costs are not attorney fees, and you pay them before filing:
- The court's $338 filing fee. It goes to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, not to us.
- About $10 for the required credit counseling course, paid to the course provider. We send you to the lowest-cost approved provider.
That's it. Some ads say "zero down" without explaining the court fee. We'd rather you know the real number before you call. See every fee, including what the flat fee does not cover.
How it works
Normally, attorney fees owed when you file would be wiped out by the bankruptcy itself, which is why many firms require full payment up front. We split the work into two written agreements instead:
- Before filing: we review your situation and file a skeletal petition, the core forms that open your case. You owe no attorney fees for this. The automatic stay begins the same day.
- After filing: you decide whether to hire us for the rest of the case: your full schedules, preparing you for the meeting of creditors and attending it with you. That work is paid by the $250 monthly payments.
We explain both agreements at your consultation, and you get copies of each. Our article What does no money down bankruptcy mean? goes into more detail.
Why the price is the same flat fee
Most Chapter 7 cases are $2,500. Cases that need more work may cost more, and we tell you that at the free consultation, before you sign anything. The flat fee does not cover defending an objection to your discharge, evidentiary hearings or depositions.
Who you'll be working with
You speak directly with your attorney, not a call center. Every Chapter 7 case is reviewed by a trustee. Brian D. Shapiro has served as a Chapter 7 trustee in Las Vegas for over 15 years, is currently the longest-serving trustee in Las Vegas, and has administered over 15,000 cases. When he represents you, your case is prepared by someone who knows exactly what the trustee will ask. More about Brian.
Common questions
Is it really $0 down?
Yes, for attorney fees. You pay no attorney fees before your petition is filed. You do pay the court's $338 filing fee before we file, and about $10 for the required credit counseling course.
When is my first payment due?
Thirty days after your petition is filed. For most cases the $2,500 flat fee is paid as $250 a month through our secure client portal.
Why don't you charge the whole fee up front?
Many people who need bankruptcy can't afford to pay a lawyer in full first. We use two written agreements, one before filing and one after, so you can get the protection of the automatic stay right away and pay over time.
Does the $2,500 fee cover everything?
It covers most Chapter 7 cases from start to discharge. It does not cover defending an objection to discharge, evidentiary hearings or depositions, and more complicated cases may cost more. We tell you at the consultation.