How to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy With No Money, Fee Waivers, Free Legal Help, and Every Low-Cost Option Explained
You can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy with no money by applying to waive the $338 court filing fee, seeking free legal help through legal aid or pro bono attorneys, and requesting reduced or waived fees for required credit counseling — all under federal law. In many cases, you can file Chapter 7 bankruptcy with little or no money by applying for a filing fee waiver if your household income is below 150% of the federal poverty level, reducing or eliminating credit counseling course fees, and filing without a lawyer if your case is simple. Having no money does not disqualify you from bankruptcy — in fact, it is often exactly the situation Chapter 7 was designed for.
Quick Facts
| Field | Detail |
| Chapter 7 Filing Fee | $338 (waivable under 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f)) |
| Fee Waiver Form | Official Form 103B |
| Installment Plan Form | Official Form 103A |
| Fee Waiver Income Limit | Below 150% of federal poverty guidelines |
| Installment Plan | Up to 4 payments within 120 days |
| Attorney Required? | No — pro se filing is legal |
| Pro Se Discharge Rate | 64.8% in 2024 (vs. 96.9% with attorney) |
| Governing Law | 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f); Fed. R. Bankr. P. 1006 |
| Last Updated | May 12, 2026 |
Option 1: Apply to Have the Filing Fee Waived Entirely
The biggest upfront cost is the $338 court filing fee — but it can be eliminated completely if your income qualifies. Under 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f), the district court or bankruptcy court may waive the filing fee in a Chapter 7 case for an individual if the court determines that the individual has income less than 150% of the official poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved and is unable to pay that fee in installments.
To apply, you file Official Form 103B — Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived alongside your bankruptcy petition. You must provide information about your family size, combined family income, monthly expenses, cash on hand, bank accounts, personal property, and real estate. The bankruptcy judge reviews all of this and has discretion to grant or deny the request. If denied, the court will typically offer an installment plan instead.
Non-cash government assistance — food stamps, housing vouchers — does not count toward your income for the fee waiver calculation under the court’s official procedures.
Option 2: Pay the Filing Fee in Installments
If your income is too high for a full waiver but you still cannot pay $338 upfront, you can split it. You can pay the fee in up to four installments under 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f)(1). If you opt for an installment plan, making timely payments is essential — otherwise the court might dismiss your bankruptcy filing.
File Official Form 103A — Application for Individuals to Pay the Filing Fee in Installments with your petition. Most courts require a small initial payment at filing. The full balance must be paid within 120 days of filing your petition under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1006.
Option 3: File Without a Lawyer (Pro Se)
Attorney fees for Chapter 7 typically run $1,200–$2,000 — often the largest cost. You are not legally required to hire one. Filing personal bankruptcy under Chapter 7 takes careful preparation and understanding of legal issues. Misunderstandings of the law or making mistakes in the process can affect your rights. Court employees and bankruptcy judges are prohibited by law from offering legal advice.
The success rate without a lawyer is real but lower. 64.8% of Chapter 7 cases filed without an attorney and closed in 2024 resulted in a discharge of debts — compared to 96.9% of cases filed with attorneys. Simple cases — mostly unsecured debt, no prior bankruptcy, no significant assets — are the best candidates for pro se filing. If your situation involves a prior bankruptcy, property disputes, or fraud allegations, an attorney becomes far more important.
Related article: Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, Differences, Which Is Better, and How to Choose
Option 4: Get Free Legal Help Through Legal Aid or Pro Bono Attorneys
Filing pro se does not mean filing alone. Several free resources exist specifically for low-income filers.
Legal Aid organizations provide free bankruptcy representation to qualifying low-income individuals. Every state has a Legal Aid office. Find yours through the Legal Services Corporation directory or your local bar association.
Pro bono bankruptcy attorneys take qualifying cases at no charge as part of professional service commitments. Some bankruptcy courts have free clinics to help people file on their own. Legal aid groups and pro bono attorneys will work for free. Call the local Legal Aid Society in your area, the state bar, or check the website for the local bankruptcy court to find information.
Law school clinics supervised by licensed attorneys prepare bankruptcy petitions for free in many cities. Contact any law school near you and ask about their consumer bankruptcy clinic.
Nonprofit tools like Upsolve guide low-income filers through the form-completion process at no cost. Upsolve is a nonprofit — not a law firm — so it cannot give legal advice, but it walks you through every required form.
Option 5: Reduce or Waive Credit Counseling Fees
Before filing, you must complete an approved credit counseling course, and after filing, a debtor education course — both from court-approved agencies. Each typically costs $20–$50. Some agencies offer free or low-cost credit counseling and debtor education services to people who plan to file with no money.
When you contact an agency, tell them you are preparing to file bankruptcy and ask about a fee reduction or hardship waiver. Approved agencies are required to provide services regardless of ability to pay. Find approved agencies through the U.S. Trustee Program’s credit counseling agency list.
How to Come Up With Filing Costs If You Don’t Qualify for a Full Waiver
There are many ways to address the cost of bankruptcy. A tax refund could be applied to attorney fees. One could stop paying unsecured debts and use that money for an attorney and ask the debt be addressed in bankruptcy. Property that is not exempt from bankruptcy could be sold — think jewelry, antique furniture, or a car that is not necessary.
Pausing payments on credit cards, medical bills, and other unsecured debts you intend to discharge is a common and legally sound strategy. Those debts will be wiped out in the bankruptcy anyway — redirecting those monthly payments toward filing costs gets you to relief faster.
For a full walkthrough of the Chapter 7 process from filing to discharge, see our guide on how Chapter 7 bankruptcy works. To confirm you meet the income and eligibility requirements first, read our article on who qualifies for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free?
Yes — if your household income falls below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines, you can have the $338 filing fee waived entirely using Official Form 103B under 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f). Combined with free legal aid and a waived credit counseling fee, the total cost can be zero.
What is Form 103B and where do I get it?
Form 103B is the official Application to Have the Chapter 7 Filing Fee Waived. To request a waiver, debtors must submit this form, which includes financial disclosures such as income proof, bank statements, and expense records. The bankruptcy judge has discretion in approving or denying the request. Download it free at uscourts.gov/forms.
What happens if the court denies my fee waiver?
If denied, you can apply to pay the fee in installments using Form 103A, requesting to pay in up to four payments within 120 days of your bankruptcy filing date under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1006. Missing installment payments can result in your case being dismissed.
Do I need a lawyer to file Chapter 7 with no money?
No. Filing pro se — representing yourself — is legal. But the discharge rate is significantly lower without an attorney. Seek free help from legal aid, a law school clinic, or a pro bono attorney before deciding to file completely alone. The U.S. Courts’ self-representation page lists resources to help.
What law governs the Chapter 7 filing fee waiver?
The fee waiver is governed by 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f) and the procedures under Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1006. The poverty guidelines used for the 150% threshold are published annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Can I stop paying credit cards to save money for bankruptcy?
Yes — and it is a common, legally accepted strategy. Credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans are the exact debts Chapter 7 discharges. Redirecting those payments toward filing costs before you file does not affect your eligibility.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and jurisdiction. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.
Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against 28 U.S.C. § 1930(f) (Cornell Law LII), Official Form 103B (U.S. Courts), and U.S. Trustee Program resources. Last Updated: May 12, 2026.