Get a Great Outcome to Your Bankruptcy Case With The Expertise of Denver Bankruptcy Lawyers The Wink Law Firm
Filing for bankruptcy can be a way to get much-needed debt relief. Bankruptcy can help you get a fresh financial start so you can soon be back on your feet.
If you’re dealing with overwhelming debt and considering filing for bankruptcy, you’re probably wondering what filing for bankruptcy will cost. After all, you’re already hurting financially, and now another expense?
So let’s take a look at the cost of filing for bankruptcy. It’s important to note that your costs will vary based on the type of bankruptcy you file and the complexities of your case.
Filing Costs and Other Administrative Costs
When filing for bankruptcy in Denver, you can expect these filing fees:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy (where the vast majority of your debts are discharged): $338
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy (where some debts are discharged and the rest are paid off in a three- to five-year repayment plan): $313
As part of your bankruptcy, you will also be required to complete a credit counseling course. This can cost approximately $15-$30.
So, if you’re filing for bankruptcy on your own, you can expect costs of around $350. But is it smart to file for bankruptcy on your own?
Why You Need a Bankruptcy Lawyer
If you’re already in financial trouble, you may think hiring a bankruptcy lawyer is a silly, unnecessary expense. After all, why spend even more money?
Short answer: Because you can lose some of your property in bankruptcy and a bankruptcy will get dismissed if you don’t meet all of the technical requirements.
Skilled bankruptcy lawyers are experts at helping their clients navigate the challenging roller coaster ride that can be filing for bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy attorneys help clients keep as many of their assets as possible and achieve the best possible outcome for their bankruptcy case.
While, yes, you can file for bankruptcy on your own, it’s not easy and has a much lower success rate when you do it without a lawyer. Even the slightest mistake could get your case thrown out or a decision by the judge that isn’t as good as it could be.
Denver bankruptcy attorneys The Wink Law Firm have helped over one thousand of Colorado residents file for bankruptcy and get the outcome they needed so they could be on their way to a fresh financial start.
Plus, with The Wink Law Firm, the initial consultation is free. This gives The Wink Law Firm a chance to learn about your case and give you a better idea of what costs you can expect.
What Does a Denver Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost?
Naturally, lawyer fees will vary by law firm. And it’s often true that you get what you pay for. More experienced, and thus probably more expensive, bankruptcy attorneys are likely to deliver you a better outcome than the cheap lawyers advertising super cheap bankruptcies. (We’ve all seen the commercials and billboards…)
Additionally, the complexities of your case can make the lawyer fees vary. If you have a lot of assets, such as multiple investment properties and businesses, your case will be more complex and thus likely cost more for a skilled lawyer to lead it. Similarly, lawsuits and wage garnishment can add to your fees.
As well, if more court time is required, your fees may be higher. For example, maybe one of your creditors – a person or company to whom you owe money – objects to your debt being discharged or claims fraud or concealment of records. If so, your bankruptcy lawyer will need to prepare more for your case and spend more time in court.
You likely won’t be expected to pay all attorney fees at one time. Some attorneys want a certain fee up front, with the rest owed later. Paying the fees might take the form of regular, smaller payments rather than just one lump sum.
While the fees vary based on complexity, here’s a general range to give you an idea of how much it will cost to file for bankruptcy in Denver if you hire an attorney:
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy pricing starts at $2,000, which typically must be paid prior to filing bankruptcy.
- Chapter 13 bankruptcy starts at $5,000, with $2,000 typically due prior to filing bankruptcy and the balance payable through your Chapter 13 Plan.
- Prices may be more based on complexity and The Wink Law Firm will give you a firm quote during your free consultation.
- The Wink Law Firm will typically get started for $500, which will count toward the amount due before your case gets filed. This can enable you to refer creditors to The Wink Law Firm, start working on the packet of paperwork required prior to filing, and seek advice from The Wink Law Firm for pre-bankruptcy planning.
These costs should include the costs for the filing fee and credit counseling course. Additionally, The Wink Law Firm pulls the credit report for all of its clients prior to filing bankruptcy. This helps eliminate the risk that you will leave creditors off your bankruptcy, which is important to make sure your discharge covers all your creditors.
So while it does cost more to hire a bankruptcy attorney than file on your own, the likelihood of success is much, much higher when using an attorney. When you need to get tens of thousands of dollars in debt wiped out, paying a few thousand to ensure success can seem less daunting in the long run.
Speak With a Denver Bankruptcy Attorney Today
If you’re dealing with crippling debt, it’s time to speak with the expert bankruptcy attorneys at The Wink Law Firm of Denver, Colorado. They’ll review your case and help you decide if bankruptcy is the right fit for you. You could file for bankruptcy on your own, but why risk getting it wrong and making your situation even worse or not as good as it could be. Call The Wink Law Firm at (720) 523-0620, or contact us online.