You’re in Debt. You Need Legal Help. But Can You Afford It?

Filing for bankruptcy is one of the smartest financial decisions many people make—but paying for a bankruptcy lawyer can feel overwhelming when your budget’s already maxed out.

Here’s the good news: bankruptcy legal fees don’t have to break the bank. With the right approach, many New Yorkers can reduce their total legal cost while still getting excellent representation.

At The Law Office of William Waldner, we offer flexible fees—but only when the case makes sense. Here’s how to become a “dream client” and lower your legal fees without sacrificing quality.

What You Should Do to Lower Legal Fees

1. Show You’re Low Maintenance

Believe it or not, personality matters. Attorneys know that some clients will call daily, delay deadlines, or struggle to follow instructions.

But when someone is respectful, punctual, and cooperative, we’re much more likely to offer our lowest rate.

Bonus tip: When you contact the office, say upfront that you’re committed to making the case easy and virtual. That’s music to a bankruptcy attorney’s ears.

2. Fill Out the Intake Form

This step is huge. If you can complete the attorney’s intake form with accurate, detailed information, you’re signaling that you’ll need less hand-holding—which means lower attorney time, and often, lower fees.

Not filling out the intake form is a red flag. It often leads to extra attorney work, confusion, and delays.  It tells the attorney that you are not willing to put forth much effort.  Try it here: Intake form

3. Offer to Do the Case Completely Virtually

Want a real fee discount? Tell the attorney you’re willing to handle the entire case virtually.

This means:

  • No office visits(except to drop off papers or sign documents)

  • No printing or mailing documents

  • Communicating by email, phone, or Zoom

This is the #1 way to save money. At my firm, a fully virtual case saves me hours—which means I can pass those savings on to you.

If you call my office and say you’re ready to do the case virtually and efficiently, you’re almost guaranteed to get my lowest price or a break on fees.

4. Organize Your Paperwork in Advance

Come to the table with your documents ready to go. Tell your attorney you have these five items ready to email:

  1. Last 7 months of paystubs

  2. Copy of driver’s license and Social Security card

  3. Last 2 years of tax returns

  4. Deed to your house and any mortgage statements

  5. Car loan statements (if applicable)

This shows you’re prepared and minimizes attorney back-and-forth.

5. Ask If They’ll Cover Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Courses

Once you have a quote, ask:
“If I sign today, will you cover the cost of the two required bankruptcy courses?”

These courses usually cost about $25–$35 each. Many attorneys are happy to include them if it seals the deal.

What You Shouldn’t Do

1. Don’t Work With an Attorney Who Files for Less Than the Flat Fee Upfront in Chapter 7

By law, once a Chapter 7 case is filed, attorneys are supposed to discharge any remaining fees owed. That’s why most honest firms—including mine—require full payment before filing.

If someone offers to file for less, be cautious. One attorney I am aware of made a habit of suing his own clients in small claims court for unpaid fees—even after their cases were finished. He charged hourly rates for time spent pursuing clients post-bankruptcy. A $2,000 case could become a $5,000 judgment.

2. Don’t Rely on Online Filing Tools

Many websites promise cheap or even free bankruptcy preparation—but they often deliver disaster.

  • They can’t provide legal advice

  • They miss critical local rules

  • They result in dismissed cases, lost property, or denied discharges

In 15 years, I’ve never seen a pro se Chapter 13 filer get a discharge. Even bankruptcy judges warn self-filers of how hard it is.

I’ve had multiple chapter 7

Stay organized and your attorney will give you a break on fees
Person hiring an attorney from home

clients come to me after failed DIY filings. Sadly, it often costs more to fix those mistakes than it would have to do it right the first time.

Key Takeaways

  • Bankruptcy legal fees can be lowered with preparation, flexibility, and trust.

  • Be organized, complete your intake, and offer to work virtually for a discount.

  • Avoid any attorney who files Chapter 7 cases for less than the full fee up front.

  • Skip the risky DIY websites—what you save in money, you’ll lose in peace of mind.

  • Ask about including your credit counseling and education fees in the flat rate.

If you’re considering bankruptcy or simply want to understand your options, we’re here for you. Call or text us at 212-244-2882, email us at info@midtownbankruptcy.com, or visit www.midtownbankruptcy.com to get started. At The Law Office of William Waldner, P.C., we’ve helped countless New Yorkers take control of their financial future — and we’re ready to help you, too.

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