ATTORNEY FEES – WHAT DOES HOUSTON BANKRUPTCY COST?
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy? I cannot give you a firm fee quotation over the internet, or over the telephone. I need to first meet with you, and review your assets, your occupation, your dependents, your income and expenses, your debts, your near-term prospects, etc. and then determine what your options are in dealing with your debt problems. Of course your first 1 hour visit with me is free, and there is no obligation to hire me.
If bankruptcy is an option for your situation, I will give you a written fee quote and a fee contract which you may take home and review before deciding to file, or to hire me. You may not qualify to file bankruptcy at all for some reason. I have a reputation for representing honest people that have had problems beyond their control and/or are overwhelmed by their debts. That’s why my clients and my legal work, are in my opinion given some “extra consideration” by the courts and trustees because they know that I personally meet with all of my clients. I do not knowingly represent crooks, and I carefully review and prepare the cases of the clients that I take on. Regarding my fees, some people have serious tax or business issues that cause their fees to be higher than usual. Some are facing more serious problems than others; some have only a few creditors; others have dozens, or scores, or even hundreds of creditors.
However, in the “usual” Houston consumer bankruptcy case, I charge the following fees:
Chapter 7- (single or couple, consumer case, under median income)-$1500, plus the court filing fee of $299, plus costs of $75 for postage and copies, plus $35 ($65 for a couple) for a detailed credit report, to make sure all of the creditors are listed and notified (this makes it much easier to re-establish credit later). We also charge you (and pay for) a “credit briefing” and a “debtor education” course, which together are $40 for one person, or $50 for a couple. There are extra fees for businesses, and if you have unusual or complicated tax or other issues.
For a single person, the Chapter 7 case fee total is $1949, couple $1959. We accept a minimum of $450 down, and payments as low as $200 per month. You may refer your creditor calls to my office as soon as the first $450 is paid and the fee agreement is signed. Your petition is prepared and filed after the full amount is paid, you have completed your required credit briefing, and we have received all of the necessary information and documents.
We accept cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, debit (check) cards, and third party credit cards. No personal or third party checks. A friend or relative (that does not intend to file bankruptcy) can charge it on their credit card, even from out of state.
For the usual Chapter 13 case (single or couple, consumer case), I charge the Court’s “fixed fee” of $3500 (I represent you for the full 3-5 year term of the plan), plus the court filing fee of $274 for the filing fee, for a total of $3774. We also collect the credit report fee and the credit briefing and debtor education fee, mentioned above. We can file a typical consumer Chapter 13 case for a $349-$359 down payment (with a “wage order” or payroll deduction order so that the plan payments are made from your paycheck), and the rest of the fee can be paid through your monthly payments to a court-appointed trustee. Business Chapter 13 cases, or Chapter 13 cases with complicated tax or other issues are done either for the court-approved fixed fee of $4500 or on an hourly basis with a down payment required.
My fees are reasonable, and I try to make it affordable for you by offering terms. Please consider carefully whether or not to “shop” for an attorney by the amount of the fee he or she charges, alone. You really DON’T want to go to court with the LOW BIDDER! My law office has an excellent reputation, and we do all that we can to help our clients. If you doubt that, just go to the “Testimonials” page of this web site and read through a few of them.
For an appointment to meet with me regarding your debt problems, and to learn more about filing bankruptcy in Houston whether or not you need my services, please call my main telephone number, 713-772-8037 during business hours for an appointment. Or 24 hours a day you can make your appointment with me on this web site. Just click on the “red button” in the upper right-hand corner of any of the main pages. Thank you.
