An Additional $306 Expense

The chapter 7 bankruptcy filing fee in the Eastern District of California, Sacramento Division is $306.  This expense is usually borne by the client and not the attorney.  Some clients Google the issue for 10 minutes and think (even insist) they qualify for a filing fee waiver.  After all, they are unemployed, a student, only make $9 an hour, etc.  Unfortunately for these clients they are never granted a filing fee waiver if they hire an attorney.  The filing fee pays for the expenses of running the court and compensates the Trustee for working on the case.  If filing fee waivers were granted regularly just because the client filing bankruptcy had little income then the Bankruptcy Court would quickly run out of money.  (In so many words, hardly anyone filing bankruptcy is rich).  As these clients will find out  if you can hire an attorney you can pay the $306 filing fee.

You Can Stretch Out The Payments

Your attorney can file a request for the filing fee to be paid in installments.  This can help clients stretch out the $306 expense into manageable monthly payments while their bankruptcy is in progress.  Alternatively, you can always save up for the filing fee over several months before you file your chapter 7 bankruptcy petition.

In short, be prepared to pay the $306 chapter 7 filing fee in one way or another.  The best method is to pay it upfront when you file your case.  This way you can rest assured that the expenses associated with your bankruptcy are concluded; you just have to show up at the meeting of creditors and take your personal financial management course then sit back and wait for your discharge.  If you choose to pay the filing fee in installments then make sure you pay every installment on time.