Free and Low-Cost Bankruptcy Consultations Including Legal Aid
Many people may be able to get a free or low-cost bankruptcy consultation from a legal aid office, a pro bono clinic, a local bar association referral program, or a nonprofit credit counseling agency. Help is often income-based, but options still exist for moderate-income households. The cost of the bankruptcy consultations, whether for Chapter 7 or 13, that is provided by lawyers as well as counselors may have very few fees, if not all of them “waived”. Learn more below about options available when it comes to free or low cost bankruptcy advice.
NOTE: According to U.S. Court data, only about 55% of people who file on their own (pro se) succeed, compared to over 94% success for those with a lawyer.
Even if you find a free attorney, the court itself charges fees. As of 2026, the Chapter 7 filing fee is $338, and Chapter 13 is $313. Note these fees may generally increase each year based on inflation levels. You can ask the court for permission to pay the filing fee in up to four installments. In addition, for Chapter 7, the judge may waive the fee entirely if your income is below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
A key point is that “free or low-cost bankruptcy help” can mean different things, even if offered by reduced-fee consults, clinics, and nonprofit counseling. Some programs offer advice only (a consultation), some help people prepare forms, and fewer provide full representation in court. Also, while some attorneys may reduce or waive their own fees for qualifying clients, the bankruptcy court filing fee is separate. In Chapter 7 cases, the court may allow installments and may waive the filing fee for individuals who qualify under federal rules.
Government-funded legal aid including possible free bankruptcy advice
A major source of free legal help is the network of independent nonprofit legal aid organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). Attorneys as well as their staff at these organizations may assist with countless needs, ranging from financial disputes to personal bankruptcy filings, unpaid child support, debt collection calls and so much more.
LSC is an independent nonprofit established by Congress that funds civil legal aid provider. Eligibility is generally income-based (often around 125% of federal poverty guidelines, though local terms may vary). People can search for a nearby LSC-funded legal aid organization here: People can search for advice from free or low-cost lawyers in your area from a LSC-funded legal aid organization here:
It is important to correct a common misunderstanding. Free or low-cost legal aid from a program such as LSC can sometimes help with bankruptcy advice, and in some areas may help with document preparation or even representation, but it does not automatically mean the government will “pay for” a private bankruptcy attorney or cover all costs. Court fees and attorney fees are almost always handled under separate rules and programs, and many legal aid offices also have limits on what they can take based on staff capacity and local priorities.
Examples of state or local free legal help programs
In addition to the federal government legal aid from LSC, many states as well as major cities offer their own solutions.
- For example, the Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers a Free Legal Helpline (phone 888-895-7873) to senior citizens or retirees. The Florida Senior Legal Helpline provides free civil legal advice and brief services by phone to eligible Florida residents age 60 and older, with screening and income guidelines at https://law.elderaffairs.org/legal-services/florida-senior-legal-helpline/.
- California rural communities is another possible option for people in the state. The California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) provides legal services, which may include some general guidance around bankruptcies with the CRLA link at https://crla.org/.
- New York City has The Legal Aid Society. The main number is 212-577-3300 and it provides civil legal services across NYC, with intake and “get help” information on its site at https://legalaidnyc.org/get-help/.
Another option in all states is court filing fee waivers for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Individuals filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy who cannot afford the court filing fee, so in effect don't have money to pay for a consultation, may ask the bankruptcy court for a fee waiver. Federal rules allow a waiver if household income is below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and the court determines the fee cannot be paid in installments. The request is reviewed by the bankruptcy judge and approval is not automatic.
Any tips on filing bankruptcy or income-based advice that is paid for by the government will require income and/or asset requirements. As the lawyers will only provide help with the costs to qualified low-income households - with some legal aid for seniors no matter their income.
Free and low-cost legal clinics and pro bono bankruptcy help
Free legal clinics may be an option, but the programs are generally limited in availability and some are also held as “special events” (such as a pop-up clinic) vs. offered year round. Advice on filing bankruptcy may be offered by legal aid groups, bar associations, community organizations, law schools, and private law firms that provide pro bono services. Availability changes often by city, so the best approach is to search locally and also use national directories that point to free bankruptcy help providers. At these clinics, attorneys may provide brief consultations on Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, review paperwork, or explain filing options.
Local law firms or independent attorneys sometimes hold free legal clinics in towns and cities, and as part of those they can give free consultations on filing Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy. They may help with completing any bankruptcy applications, legal documents or paperwork at the clinics as well. This form of assistance is generally more short term and may not be all inclusive, but it can assist.
Another option for quick civil legal guidance is ABA Free Legal Answers, which is an online “virtual legal advice clinic” where qualifying users can post civil legal questions (even around bankruptcy) at no cost and receive answers from pro bono attorneys licensed in their state. This can be helpful for bankruptcy-related questions, such as whether bankruptcy might be an option or what documents to gather, though it is not a substitute for full representation with the ABA Answer site at https://www.abafreelegalanswers.org/.
The legal clinics can be held in almost any community. They may be held at a library, local social service office, a community action agency, a local corporation, or any other place. To get referrals or to learn more on how to possibility get a free consultation from an attorney, try contacting a community action agency for assistance. Another option will be the United Way.
Nonprofit credit counseling and required bankruptcy certificates
Before filing, most individuals must complete a credit counseling session from an approved provider, which may be a non-profit counselors that may offer free services to qualified people. After filing they must complete a separate debtor education course to receive a discharge (with limited exceptions as listed on the US Courts Website at https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/credit-counseling-and-debtor-education-courses). Only U.S. Trustee Program–approved providers can issue the certificates for most states and territories (Alabama and North Carolina use a different system).
Many nonprofit credit counseling agencies provide the required pre-filing bankruptcy counseling and post-filing debtor education courses, with the programs possibly being free for income qualified people. Note this assistance is also generally income based. Some also provide general budget counseling or debt-management options as alternatives to bankruptcy. The U.S. Trustee Program’s official list of approved credit counseling agencies by state and judicial district is at https://www.justice.gov/ust/list-credit-counseling-agencies-approved-pursuant-11-usc-111.
There are other national non-profits such as Money Management International (MMI), Greenpath Financial, Take Charge America, and others. In addition to providing information around credit counseling / debt reduction, some of these non-profits have attorneys on staff that can give consultations. Other firms may “outsource” a bankruptcy filing (or consultation) to a partner law firm, including pro-bono lawyers or attorneys from Legal Services Corporation (LSC). In either case, some form of legal advice will be given. In addition they may give consultations over the phone, video chat, or face to face at local, in person offices. Find details on government approved credit counseling agencies.
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