Most people searching for the cost of filing bankruptcy expect a single number. The honest answer is that there are several, and a few of the figures circulating online are simply wrong. Getting the right numbers matters because the gap between what you expect to pay and what you actually owe can determine whether filing makes sense for your situation at all.
Our founding attorney, Brant Hodyno, holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer review rating available for legal ability and ethical standards. That rating reflects the kind of straight, accurate advice we aim to put on the page here: real figures, current law, and an honest explanation of what drives costs up or down depending on your circumstances.
Here’s what filing bankruptcy in Arizona actually costs, broken down by category.
Court Filing Fees: What Arizona Filers Actually Pay
The court filing fee is $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13, per the fee schedule effective December 1, 2023 from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona. Filers in Scottsdale, which sits in Maricopa County, file through the Phoenix Division of that court.
Beyond the filing fee, federal law requires every filer to complete two courses: a credit counseling course before filing and a debtor education course before receiving a discharge. Both must come from a provider approved by the U.S. Trustee Program. Most approved providers charge between $15 and $50 per course, though some offer reduced fees or waivers based on income.
One distinction that many guides skip over: the filing fee waiver is only available in Chapter 7 cases. If your income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can apply to have the $338 court fee waived entirely using Form 103B. Chapter 13 filers can’t get the fee waived. They can only request installment payments using Form 103A, which spreads the $313 fee across no more than four installments due within 120 days of filing.
Attorney Fees & What Drives Them Up or Down
Court fees are the smaller part of the total cost for most filers. Attorney fees are the larger and more variable expense, and they depend on the complexity of the case rather than a flat rate.
Chapter 7 attorney fees in Arizona commonly range from roughly $900 to $3,500. Simpler cases, those with straightforward income, few assets, and no recent large transactions, tend to sit at the lower end. Cases involving income above Arizona’s median family income for the filer’s household size require a full means test calculation on Form 122A-2, which adds attorney time and typically pushes costs toward the higher end of that range. The means test is a court-required income calculation that determines whether a filer qualifies for Chapter 7. If your income exceeds the Arizona median for your household size, you don’t automatically lose access to Chapter 7, but you do have to complete additional calculations to show that your disposable income doesn’t exceed certain thresholds.
Chapter 13 attorney fees typically run $2,500 to $5,000. The higher range reflects the additional work involved in drafting a repayment plan, attending a confirmation hearing, and managing the case over a three-to-five-year plan period. The practical advantage is that Chapter 13 attorney fees are usually paid through the repayment plan itself rather than required upfront, which makes them more manageable even when the total is larger.
Why Arizona’s Exemption Laws Change What Filing Actually Costs You
The filing fee and attorney fee are costs you pay to file. Arizona’s exemption laws determine what those costs buy you in terms of protection. Getting the exemption math wrong can mean losing property you assumed was safe, which is why this part of the calculation matters as much as the fee schedule.
The Homestead Exemption
Arizona’s homestead exemption under A.R.S. 33-1101 currently protects up to $400,000 of equity in a primary residence, a figure that adjusts annually for cost of living beginning January 1, 2024. Several guides still cite the older $250,000 figure. If you own a home and are evaluating whether to file Chapter 7, using the correct number is critical because it affects whether a trustee can reach any of that equity to pay creditors.
The Vehicle Exemption
Under A.R.S. 33-1125(8), Arizona protects up to $15,000 of equity in one vehicle, or $25,000 if the filer or the filer’s dependent has a physical disability. Equity above those thresholds is non-exempt and could be liquidated by a Chapter 7 trustee to pay unsecured creditors. If your vehicle is worth significantly more than you owe on it, that gap deserves attention before you file.
Non-Exempt Property & the Real Stakes
Property that exceeds an applicable exemption limit is non-exempt, meaning a Chapter 7 trustee has the legal authority to sell it and distribute the proceeds to creditors. This is where the sticker price of filing can diverge from the real cost. A $338 court fee that results in losing a $20,000 asset you could have protected with better planning isn’t a bargain. Understanding what you can keep is a core part of any honest cost analysis, not an afterthought.
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13: Cost & Timeline Compared
Choosing between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 affects both what you pay and how long the process takes. Neither chapter is universally better; the right choice depends on your income, your assets, and what you’re trying to accomplish.
Chapter 7 typically discharges eligible unsecured debts within three to four months from the filing date. It’s faster and generally less expensive in total attorney fees, but it doesn’t give you a way to catch up on overdue mortgage or vehicle payments. If you’re behind on a home loan and want to stop a foreclosure, Chapter 7 can pause it temporarily through the automatic stay, an injunction that halts most collection actions the moment you file, but it doesn’t cure the arrears.
Chapter 13 lasts three to five years and involves making monthly payments to a trustee, who distributes funds to creditors according to a court-approved plan. It costs more in attorney fees overall, but those fees are usually folded into the plan. The key advantage is the ability to cure mortgage and vehicle loan arrears over the plan period, which can mean keeping property that Chapter 7 couldn’t protect. Households above Arizona’s median income for their family size who don’t qualify for Chapter 7 after the complete means test calculation will find Chapter 13 is their available option.
Making the Cost of Filing Manageable
We understand that needing to file bankruptcy often means cash is already tight. That’s why we structure payment plans around each client’s individual budget rather than applying one flat fee to every case. If a standard retainer isn’t within reach, we’ll work with you to find an approach that is.
We also provide pro bono and reduced-fee bankruptcy services to veterans, servicemembers, first responders, and indigent individuals. If you fall into one of those categories, the cost of getting proper legal help may be significantly lower than you expect.
Brant Hodyno has been licensed to practice in Arizona since 2013, with additional licenses in Florida since 2010 and New York since 2005. Stuart Gavzy has been licensed in Arizona since 2012, with licenses in New Jersey since 1987 and Pennsylvania since 1986. Our team brings that combined experience to clients navigating bankruptcy in the Scottsdale area.
General ranges are a starting point, not a final answer. The only accurate cost estimate for your specific situation is one based on your actual income, assets, and debts. If you want real numbers rather than guesses, a consultation with Compassionate Counsel is the right next step. Reach us at (623) 294-5705.