The Cost of a Failed Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

What debtors pay when their case is dismissed — and what they get back

Total Non-Refundable Cost $3,400 – $5,700
Attorney Fees NON-REFUNDABLE $3,000 – $5,000
87% of total cost
Court Filing Fee NON-REFUNDABLE $313
Credit Counseling NON-REFUNDABLE $50
Financial Management Course NON-REFUNDABLE $50
When a Chapter 13 case is dismissed, the debtor loses all fees paid. Attorney fees are typically collected upfront or through the plan before meaningful work is done. With a 48% national dismissal rate, nearly half of all Chapter 13 debtors pay thousands of dollars for no legal relief.
Source: 1328f.org · Fee ranges based on court-approved no-look fees across 94 districts