Anyone considering filing bankruptcy should be aware that court filing fees are increasing on Nov. 1, 2011.  While it is not a large fee increase for filing a Chapter 7 or a 13, it is notable for being the first increase in a long time.  A disclosure form containing general information about the different chapters of bankruptcy, including details on the filing fees, will have to change.  The fee changes come as a bit of a surprise, considering the short notice that the Bankruptcy Court provided on October 17, 2011.

That said, the changes in the fees to file a Chapter 7 and a Chapter 13 are small.  The Chapter 7 filing fee will go up from $299 to $306 and the Chapter 13 filing fee will rise from $274 to $281.  As you can see, the Chapter 7 filing fee crosses that psychological $300 barrier.  It’s only $7 more, but the fact that it’s over $300 now makes it seem like a whole lot more.  Numbers are funny that way.

Photo by 00dann.