Bankruptcy Lawyer Fees in Orlando: What Chapter 7 and 13 Cost in 2026
The Complete Guide for Orange County & Central Florida
Central Florida's economy is powered by hardworking people in hospitality, construction, and healthcare. But when an unexpected medical emergency or a job loss happens, debt can pile up faster than a paycheck can cover. Bankruptcy isn't a failure—it is a federal legal tool designed to give you a fresh start.
Bottom Line Up Front: At Juan Burgos Law, attorney fees depend on the chapter and the facts of your case. Active lawsuits against you (each one requires individual legal intervention to stop wage garnishment), too many creditors, or an unusually complex case all change the fee. Every case is quoted after a free consultation. Court filing fees are set by law: $338 for Chapter 7 and $313 for Chapter 13. For small business owners, Subchapter V lets you keep the business open while restructuring debt — ask about your exact fee on a free consultation call.
Ch. 7 Court Fee
Ch. 13 Court Fee
Subchapter V Court Fee
Days to Discharge
Bankruptcy Fee Breakdowns
📉 Chapter 7: Liquidation
Eliminate credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans. Most cases are completed in under 4 months at the Orlando Division court.
Attorney Fee:
Quoted at your free consultation
Active lawsuits, wage garnishment, too many creditors, or added complexity can change the fee. Every case is quoted after a free consultation.
🏠 Chapter 13: Reorganization
Stop foreclosure and catch up on mortgage arrears. We use the Middle District "no-look" fee guidelines for easy approval.
Attorney Fee:
Quoted at your free consultation
🏢 Subchapter V: Small Business
Keep your business open while restructuring debt into a 3-to-5-year plan — no creditor vote required, and no quarterly U.S. Trustee fees like standard Chapter 11 cases pay.
Court Filing Fee:
$1,738 (Set by Federal Law)
Attorney fees are quoted individually based on your business's debt and revenue — ask for an exact number on a free call.
Creditor Lawsuits & Cost
When debt buyers like Midland Credit or Portfolio Recovery sue you in Orange County Circuit Court, the math changes. We must file a "Suggestion of Bankruptcy" in each case to trigger the Automatic Stay and stop your paycheck from being garnished.
Stop Garnishment
We stop active wage garnishments immediately upon filing.
Case-by-Case Pricing
Lawsuits are quoted individually so you never pay for work you don't need.
Court Fees vs. Attorney Fees: What You Pay in Each Chapter
Every bankruptcy has two price tags. The court charges a filing fee set by federal law, and it is the same no matter which lawyer you hire. The attorney fee is the part that changes from one firm to the next.
| Chapter | Court fee (set by law) | Our attorney fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | $338 | Quoted after a free consultation |
| Chapter 13 | $313 | Quoted after a free consultation |
| Subchapter V | $1,738 | Quoted after a free consultation |
Your fee depends on the facts of your case. A case can cost more when creditors have already sued, when there are many creditors, or when the finances are unusually involved. Each lawsuit needs its own filing to stop wage garnishment, so those cases are quoted one by one after a free review.
If the court fee itself is the problem, the court lets eligible filers pay it in up to 4 installments over 120 days. A Chapter 7 filer with income under roughly 150% of the federal poverty guidelines can ask for a full waiver.
Questions to Ask Any Bankruptcy Firm About Fees
- Is the court filing fee in your quote, or added on top?
- What happens to the price if a creditor sues me or garnishes my wages before I file?
- Which chapter are you quoting, and why that one?
- How many bankruptcy cases have you personally filed in the Middle District of Florida?
Not sure which chapter applies? The free Florida Means Test Calculator shows in a couple of minutes whether Chapter 7 is an option. Esta guía también está disponible en español: cuánto cuesta declararse en bancarrota en Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in Florida?
There are two separate costs: the federal court filing fee and the attorney's fee. The court filing fee is fixed by law and doesn't vary by attorney — $338 for Chapter 7, $313 for Chapter 13, and $1,738 for Subchapter V or standard Chapter 11 (28 U.S.C. § 1930). Attorney fees vary by firm and case complexity; at Juan Burgos Law, we quote your fee after a free consultation. If even the court filing fee is a hardship, the court allows you to pay it in up to 4 installments over 120 days, or request a full fee waiver if your income is under roughly 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.
How long does the process take in Orlando?
In the Middle District of Florida (Orlando Division), a Chapter 7 usually results in a discharge within 90 to 120 days. Chapter 13 plans last between 3 to 5 years.
Can I keep my home and car?
Yes! Florida's Homestead Exemption is one of the strongest in the nation, protecting your primary residence. We also use statutory exemptions to protect your vehicle and personal property.
How much does Subchapter V cost for my small business?
The court filing fee is fixed by federal law at $1,738. Attorney fees vary based on your business's debt structure and complexity — unlike standard Chapter 11, Subchapter V cases don't pay ongoing quarterly U.S. Trustee fees, which keeps overall costs down.
What court handles my case?
Cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Florida, Orlando Division. This court covers Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia, Lake, and Sumter counties.
Why do bankruptcy lawyer fees differ between firms?
Each firm sets its own attorney fee, while the court filing fee is fixed by federal law, so any gap between quotes comes from the attorney fee. That fee reflects the chapter, the number of creditors and lawsuits, the amount of paperwork, and what the firm includes in its quote. Two quotes can only be compared when both say whether the court fee is included.
Does a lawsuit or wage garnishment change what bankruptcy costs?
It can. When a creditor has already sued, a Suggestion of Bankruptcy has to be filed in each case to trigger the automatic stay, and that extra work is quoted individually. Active wage garnishments are stopped when the case is filed.
Ready for a Fresh Start?
Speak directly with Attorney Juan Burgos. No judgment, just solutions.
This article is for general educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney Juan C. Burgos is a federally designated debt relief agency helping families and businesses file for relief under the United States Bankruptcy Code.