How do I get a chapter 7 bankruptcy fee waiver?

Filing personal bankruptcy such as chapter 7 is a way to eliminate debts such as credit card bills, medical bills and personal loans. However, before debts can be legally wiped off individuals’ credit reports, they must pay fees to file their bankruptcy petitions. When people don’t have the money to pay the bankruptcy fees, it doesn’t mean that their homes of eliminating their debts are dashed. Individuals, called debtors, once bankruptcy petitions are filed, can see if they are eligible for a fee waiver.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, as of 2010, charge a $245 case filing fee, a $39 miscellaneous administrative fee and $15 trustee surcharge. To have bankruptcy fees waived, people must meet eligibility requirements. According to the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, anyone interested in the waiver must be less than 150 percent below the poverty level. Once that criteria is met, individuals must complete the waiver form called the Application for Waiver of the Chapter 7 Filing Fee for Individuals Who Cannot Pay the Filing Fee in Full or in Installments.

The form consists of personal questions such as family size and income, monthly expenses and any real and personal property. There are other questions concerning who helped individuals complete the form and if there were any other bankruptcy filed in the past.

Bankruptcy is complicated with many rules to follow such as pre-bankruptcy credit counseling and completing a means test. Thus, seeking legal advice from a bankruptcy lawyer can help people understand how long they have to wait to find out if the waivers are approved.