How much did you pay to file?

[momofthree]

They won't discuss what my plan payment may be til they are paid in full though.

Why on earth would you choose to go with someone who won't even run numbers for you to give you a payment estimate until you're paid in full? What happens if he comes up with an off-the-wall number that you can't fathom being able to afford (that seems to happen a lot around here!), what happens then?

[Okieblue]

Yeah, I could have swore they said with the $300 down that they'd run it and let me know, then they said no. I gave them my own expense sheet, padded, but very reasonable, nothing off the wall, except for 100 for kids' school lunches, just threw that one in. I told them that since we are not using cc's, my expenses have changed since I had my initial consult, they said they'd play around and tweak the numbers. Crossing fingers that it all goes well.

[Nanzee]

$2500 to retain him, and an additional $2000 in the plan for the lien strip of 2nd (which was successful). Also had to pay the filing fee, can't remember what it was. He was worth it - got us confirmed, and stripped the 2nd, even though they tried to object at first.

[kornellred]

My own Chapter 13 attorney told me there is a maximum limit on what can be charged for a straight Chapter 13 filing, and three years ago, it was something in the neighborhood of $3500.00. I was charged the maximum. And that does not include the filing fee.

[jetsfan2010]

It seems to truly vary all over the place

[forgotten]

Mine was $1500 up front and $2,275 in the plan. I wish I could have gotten $0 up front and $57,000 in the plan.

[StEt0417]

$500 deposit total 2g to file includes everything but he is a new attorney

[teddybeardj]

Our fee was $500 up front and the rest paid in the plan. Of course our attorney went for the max allowable. $3300.

[lrprn]

Threads like this really don't help someone who is trying to select an attorney to file Ch 13 because (1) there's tremendous variance across the US in what bk lawyers charge to file 13s because their local courts set different maximum Ch 13 fees; (2) the cost of living varies so much across the country and urban vs. rural costs are different as well; and (3) complicated Ch 13 cases often cost more than relatively straightforward 13s.

Cost can be one determining factor for which bk lawyer to retain, but should *never* be the only factor. Some of the best Ch 13 lawyer around are neither the cheapest nor the highest-priced.

First educate yourself about the basics of Ch 13 and spend some time hanging around here reading everything you can about Ch 13. Then go interview a minimum of 3-4 bk lawyers who frequently file Ch 13s. Go with the one that is going to represent your interests the best and appears to be the most competent. An excellent lawyer is crucial when you're filing Ch 13. A poorly informed and/or less competent bk lawyer can make your Ch 13 and your life a misery for the entire length of your plan. This isn't the time to skimp.

[cc8225]

2000 up front and 2200 in the plan...

[FishersMike]

Lol

[HHM]

You pay either way.

Frankly, I probably wouldn't work with an attorney that low balled the up front, it creates too much potential conflict of interest.

Also, as for giving an estimate at the consultation, although some lawyers may do so, it is way too much to expect at an initial consultation. Too many variables and unknowns. Again, and attorney that is willing to estimate an amount without having the full picture of the clients case is a fool and someone not worth working with (unless you paid for the consultation, than that's different).

In any event, no point in having another "how much I paid thread" since it is of NO USE. What someone paid to one lawyer in FL is in NO WAY helpful or comparable to what someone may pay in Las Vegas NV. The only way to get a sense of the fees charged in your area is to start talking to lawyers IN YOUR area. Also, as was pointed out, every district has a no look fee, so you end up paying at least that amount anyway, so its rather moot if you pay it up front or in the plan. The problem with paying in the plan, especially tight plans is that it may artificially increase your chapter 13 payment and create a riskier chapter 13. Most chapter 13's fail anyway, so a GOOD attorney won't make his fees part of the problem and should collect most of them up front.