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Rockford, IL · Serving all of Northern Illinois (815) 312-4725
SPRINGER LAW FIRMBANKRUPTCY · ROCKFORD, IL
Attorney Fees

What Does Bankruptcy Cost at Springer Law Firm?

We charge a flat attorney fee — one number, no hourly billing, no hidden add-ons. The fee covers everything from your first document review through your discharge.

$1,000

Chapter 7 — Individual

Joint filing (you and your spouse): $1,500
  • Full case preparation and document review
  • Preparation and filing of your petition and all schedules
  • Attorney representation at your court hearing
  • Support through to your discharge
  • All phone and email communication with your attorney
$813

Chapter 13 — To File

Everything you need to get your case filed
  • $813 is all it takes to get your Chapter 13 case filed
  • The rest of your attorney fees are built into your monthly plan payment
  • Full case preparation, filing, and hearing representation
  • Ongoing attorney support for the life of your 3- to 5-year plan

About the Chapter 7 court filing fee: The U.S. Bankruptcy Court charges a separate $338 filing fee for Chapter 7, paid to the court. If you can't pay it all at once, you can pay it in installments to the court after your case is filed.

What Exactly Is Included in the Attorney Fee?

The flat fee covers every attorney service you need to get from "I don't know where to start" to a completed case. That means:

  • Reviewing your documents and finances
  • Preparing your bankruptcy petition, schedules, and all required forms
  • Filing everything with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois
  • Representing you at your court hearing (held by Zoom for most clients)
  • Answering your questions by phone and email throughout the case
  • Following the case through to your discharge

There are no hourly charges. There are no fees for extra calls or emails. If your case takes more of our time than average, the price does not change.

How Chapter 13 Fees Work

Chapter 13 is a 3- to 5-year repayment plan, so the attorney's role is ongoing — we stay by your side for the life of the plan. To get started, it's $813 to file your Chapter 13.

The rest of your attorney fees are set by the Northern District of Illinois court-approved guideline (often called the "no-look" fee) and are built into your monthly plan payment — not paid out of pocket before you file. For many people, this makes Chapter 13 surprisingly affordable to get started.

Your free consultation will walk through exactly what your payments would look like. Request a callback or call us at (815) 312-4725.

Payment Options for the Chapter 7 Attorney Fee

We understand that if you're filing for bankruptcy, money is tight. That's the whole point. We work with clients on the attorney fee payment and can discuss a plan that fits your situation during your free consultation. Many clients are able to set aside a manageable amount each paycheck and file within a few weeks of first calling us.

The $338 court filing fee can also be paid in installments — the court allows up to four payments over 120 days after filing.

No Hidden Costs

The attorney fee and the court filing fee are the two costs of filing. There is no charge for your initial consultation. There are no document fees, no administrative fees, and no fees to attend the Zoom court hearing. What we quote you is what you pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the attorney fee include?
Everything from document preparation through your discharge. Case review, petition preparation, court filing, and representation at your court hearing are all included. There are no hourly add-ons or per-call charges.
Can I afford to file if I'm broke right now?
This is the most common question we hear — and it's a fair one. We can discuss payment timing for the attorney fee during your free consultation. The court filing fee can be paid in installments after filing. Many people who feel they cannot afford to file find a workable path after one phone call with us.
Are there hidden costs I should know about?
No. The attorney fee and the court filing fee are the full picture. There is no charge for the consultation, no document fees, and no surprise invoices mid-case. If anything unusual came up that might change costs, we would tell you before you committed to anything.
Why did I see a different number somewhere else?
Advertised bankruptcy fees vary — and some are misleading. We want to be direct: our current flat fee for a Chapter 7 individual case is $1,000. That is the full attorney fee. Some advertisements quote a lower number that excludes the court filing fee or certain services. We include everything.
Do I have to come to your office to pay or sign paperwork?
No office visit is needed. The entire process is handled remotely. We consult by phone, exchange documents by email, verify your identity over Zoom, and you sign the required signature pages on paper — by mail or drop-off, whichever is easier. Most clients file entirely from home. We serve Rockford and Winnebago County as well as clients throughout the Northern District of Illinois, including DuPage, Kane, Lake, Cook, McHenry, and Boone counties.
What is the court hearing, and is there a charge for it?
The court hearing is a short, required hearing — usually 5 to 10 minutes — where a trustee asks you a few questions about your finances. Attorney Springer attends with you. It is held by Zoom video for most cases in the Northern District of Illinois. There is no additional charge; it is included in the flat fee.
Is the consultation really free?
Yes. The initial phone consultation with Dan Springer is free. There is no pressure and no obligation. You can ask questions, share your situation, and decide at your own pace. Most people feel better just knowing their options.
How It Works

Getting Started Is Simple

You don't need to have everything figured out before you call. That's what the consultation is for.

STEP 1

Free Phone Consultation

Call us or request a callback. Dan Springer will review your situation, explain your options, and give you a clear picture of what filing would involve for you — with no obligation.

STEP 2

Send Your Documents by Email

You'll send your financial documents to us by email. We'll prepare your complete petition. Identity verification happens over a quick Zoom call. You sign physical signature pages and return them by mail or drop-off.

STEP 3

File and Attend Your Court Hearing by Zoom

We file your case with the court. Your court hearing is held by Zoom. For most people, that's the only "court appearance" in the entire case — and it typically takes just a few minutes.

Ready for your fresh start?

A free, no-pressure phone consultation is the first step. Find out where you stand in about 15 minutes.

Call (815) 312-4725 Request a callback
 Call (815) 312-4725 — Free Consultation