Are you looking for a cheap bankruptcy lawyer in Cleveland? The myth of the “$500 bankruptcy attorney in Cleveland” is just that, a myth. Even some attorneys with the lowest fees charge the following:
- $500 plus a $338 filing fee
- $808 “plus court costs”
- $250 to start, then another $250 plus the filing fee at a later date
So far, no bankruptcy attorney in Cleveland actually charges you only $500 in total to file for bankruptcy. Also, there are no court costs in Cleveland, so it’s confusing what “plus court costs” actually means. Make sure your bankruptcy lawyer actually discloses all the costs and cross-reference these fees with another bankruptcy lawyer to make sure they’re accurate.
If you have questions about bankruptcy costs in Cleveland or fees another lawyer is charging you, please feel free to call me at any time for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Cost of Filing for Bankruptcy in Cleveland, Ohio
You’ve probably heard it said a time or two that you “get what you pay for” for most things in life. While this phrase has become a bit cliché, it’s true in the case of bankruptcy attorneys, especially in Cleveland. Some clients have paid the price by having to shell out assets their bankruptcy lawyer failed to protect and in some instances, clients may even get their cases denied altogether.
When it comes to filing for bankruptcy, you’ll see that prices are all over the map. However, the costs basically boil down to this:
- Attorney fee (varies based on attorney experience, quality, etc.)
- Filing fee (fixed amount)
- Required course fee (fixed amount)
Let’s break down each of these fees and go over them in detail.
Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorney Fees
Attorney fees in Cleveland vary based on the attorney you hire. Attorneys charge various fees depending on their quality, availability, experience, and knowledge, among other things.
In Cleveland, attorney fees have a wide range of values, anywhere from as low as $500 to up to $2000 (or higher). Other factors that may impact the amount charged depends on whether or not you are able to pay all the costs upfront and whether or not your case ends up being a straight Chapter 7 bankruptcy or a Chapter 13 bankruptcy (fees may vary widely for Chapter 13 depending on the amount of time and work spent by the attorney).
Bankruptcy Filing Fees in Cleveland, Ohio
The filing fee in Cleveland for filing a Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a fixed amount of $338. Contrast this with a $313 filing fee for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
This amount is tacked on to whatever the attorney charges you. So, if the attorney charges $500, the total cost will be $500 plus $338 plus the course fee.
Required Course Fees Before Filing Bankruptcy
There is a course that is required (before filing) for all of those who are filing for bankruptcy in Cleveland. This course has a set price of $20. The course itself is a credit counseling course that can be taken online. There is no getting around the cost of this course.
See more information about the credit counseling course.
Total Cost of Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Cleveland
If you add up all the fees, the lowest you’ll be paying for a bankruptcy attorney in Cleveland is going to be $500 for the attorney’s fees, plus $338 for the filing, plus $20 for the pre-bankruptcy course. This adds to a total of $858 at a bare minimum. For the highest cost lawyers, you’re looking anywhere from $2358 and higher.
How to Select a Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorney
Like most things in life, there is a happy medium when it comes to Cleveland bankruptcy attorneys. Let’s face it, you’re already going through a tough time so you’re probably not going to want to slap down all the money you have saved under your mattress just for a bankruptcy lawyer. On the other hand, you don’t necessarily want to go with the lowest cost bankruptcy attorney because there’s probably a reason why they charge so little.
Some people think they can “go it alone” and try filing themselves, only to get denied. Sometimes people go with a bankruptcy attorney who is cheap and then they end up actually losing more money in the process. Inexpensive lawyers might not always be available for you, be able to answer all your questions, or have the experience and/or knowledge to help you get the best result for your case.
In contrast, the most sought after bankruptcy attorneys who charge the highest fees might not have the time to give you personal attention. They might even be neglectful of your case because they’re busy working on more important cases.
Hire an Experienced Cleveland Bankruptcy Attorney
If you want a reasonably priced bankruptcy attorney in Cleveland who is also knowledgeable and experienced, give me a call. Not only do I have over 17 years of experience, but I have also helped over 2,000 people in the Cleveland-area file for bankruptcy. I’ll also guide you through the entire bankruptcy process and I’m there for my clients whenever they need me.
Still have some questions about bankruptcy or bankruptcy fees? Contact me online now for a free consultation and I’ll be more than happy to get you the answer(s) you need.
