-
Notifications
You must be signed in to change notification settings - Fork 0
Expand file tree
/
Copy pathfee-disclosure.html
More file actions
373 lines (371 loc) · 33 KB
/
fee-disclosure.html
File metadata and controls
373 lines (371 loc) · 33 KB
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<link href="https://www.googletagmanager.com" rel="preconnect"/>
<!-- BTN:GA4:START -->
<script async="" src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-FTWLM223G7"></script>
<script>
window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];
function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}
gtag('js', new Date());
gtag('set', 'allow_ad_personalization_signals', false);
gtag('config', 'G-FTWLM223G7');
gtag('config', 'G-053Z64N82F');
</script>
<!-- BTN:GA4:END -->
<meta charset="utf-8"/>
<meta content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" name="viewport"/>
<meta content="no-referrer-when-downgrade" name="referrer"/>
<title>Bankruptcy Attorney Fee Disclosure - Section 329(a)</title>
<meta content="Learn about bankruptcy attorney fee disclosure - section 329(a) | section329.org in our free 2026 guide. S attorney to disclose all compensation. What must be disclosed, when, and the consequences of failure." name="description"/>
<meta content="section 329, fee disclosure, Rule 2016(b), bankruptcy attorney fees, compensation disclosure" name="keywords"/>
<link href="https://section329.org/fee-disclosure.html" rel="canonical"/>
<link href="https://section329.org/fee-disclosure.html" hreflang="en" rel="alternate"/>
<link href="/favicon.svg" rel="icon" type="image/svg+xml"/>
<meta content="#0d1117" name="theme-color"/>
<meta content="2026-05-01" name="last-modified"/>
<meta content="Bankruptcy Attorney Fee Disclosure - Section 329(a)" property="og:title"/>
<meta content="Learn about bankruptcy attorney fee disclosure - section 329(a) | section329.org in our free 2026 guide." property="og:description"/>
<meta content="article" property="og:type"/>
<meta content="https://section329.org/fee-disclosure.html" property="og:url"/>
<meta content="section329.org" property="og:site_name"/>
<meta content="summary_large_image" name="twitter:card"/>
<meta content="Bankruptcy Attorney Fee Disclosure - Section 329(a)" name="twitter:title"/>
<meta content="Learn about bankruptcy attorney fee disclosure - section 329(a) | section329.org in our free 2026 guide." name="twitter:description"/>
<meta content="https://section329.org/og-image.svg" property="og:image"/>
<meta content="https://section329.org/og-image.svg" name="twitter:image"/>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NonprofitOrganization",
"name": "Open Bankruptcy Project",
"url": "https://section329.org",
"description": "Free, open-source bankruptcy information. Real information, no strings.",
"nonprofitStatus": "https://schema.org/Nonprofit501c3"
}
</script>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [
{"@type": "Question", "name": "What must a bankruptcy attorney disclose?",
"acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Under Rule 2016(b), the attorney must disclose all compensation paid or agreed to be paid within one year before filing, the source of all payments, any fee-sharing arrangements, and the terms of any compensation agreement."}},
{"@type": "Question", "name": "When must the disclosure be filed?",
"acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Within 14 days after the order for relief. In voluntary cases, that means 14 days after the petition date."}},
{"@type": "Question", "name": "What happens if the attorney fails to disclose?",
"acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Courts routinely order complete disgorgement of all fees - even when the fees were otherwise reasonable. Failure to disclose is treated as a serious violation of the attorney's obligations to the court."}}
]
}
</script>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@graph": [
{
"@type": "Article",
"headline": "Attorney Fee Disclosure - Section 329(a)",
"description": "Section 329(a) requires every debtor",
"author": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Open Bankruptcy Project"
},
"publisher": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "Open Bankruptcy Project",
"url": "https://1328f.org"
},
"datePublished": "2026-03-28",
"dateModified": "2026-05-01",
"mainEntityOfPage": "https://section329.org/fee-disclosure.html"
},
{
"@type": "BreadcrumbList",
"itemListElement": [
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 1,
"name": "Home",
"item": "https://section329.org"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 2,
"name": "Section 329 Fee Disgorgement",
"item": "https://section329.org"
},
{
"@type": "ListItem",
"position": 3,
"name": "Attorney Fee Disclosure - Section 329(a)",
"item": "https://section329.org/fee-disclosure.html"
}
]
},
{
"@type": "WebPage",
"name": "Attorney Fee Disclosure - Section 329(a)",
"url": "https://section329.org/fee-disclosure.html",
"speakable": {
"@type": "SpeakableSpecification",
"cssSelector": [
".quick-answer",
"h1",
".summary",
"p:first-of-type"
]
}
}
]
}
</script>
<style>
:root { --bg: #0d1117; --surface: #161b22; --border: #30363d; --text: #e6edf3; --text-muted: #9eaab6; --accent: #58a6ff; --green: #3fb950; --red: #f85149; --yellow: #e3a835; }
* { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; }
body { font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; background: var(--bg); color: var(--text); line-height: 1.7; }
a { color: var(--accent); text-decoration: none; } a:hover { text-decoration: underline; }
a:focus-visible, button:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid var(--accent); outline-offset: 2px; }
.skip-link { position: absolute; left: -9999px; top: auto; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; z-index: 9999; padding: 1rem; background: #238636; color: #fff; font-weight: 600; text-decoration: none; }
.skip-link:focus { position: fixed; top: 10px; left: 10px; width: auto; height: auto; overflow: visible; }
nav { background: var(--surface); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 0.75rem 2rem; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: space-between; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 0.5rem; }
nav .site-name { color: #f0f6fc; font-weight: 700; font-size: 1.1rem; text-decoration: none; }
nav .site-name:hover { text-decoration: none; color: var(--accent); }
.nav-links { display: flex; gap: 1.25rem; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: center; }
.nav-links a { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.9rem; } .nav-links a:hover { color: var(--accent); text-decoration: none; }
.nav-links a.active { color: var(--accent); font-weight: 600; }
.hamburger { display: none; background: none; border: none; color: var(--text); font-size: 1.5rem; cursor: pointer; padding: 0.25rem; }
header { background: var(--surface); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 3rem 2rem; text-align: center; }
header h1 { color: #f0f6fc; font-size: 2rem; margin-bottom: 0.75rem; } header h1 .accent { color: var(--accent); }
header .subtitle { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 1.05rem; max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto; }
main { max-width: 820px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 2rem 1.5rem; }
.content-section { background: var(--surface); border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 6px; padding: 2rem; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; }
.content-section h2 { color: #f0f6fc; font-size: 1.3rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; padding-bottom: 0.5rem; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
.content-section h3 { color: #f0f6fc; font-size: 1.1rem; margin: 1.5rem 0 0.75rem; }
.content-section p { color: var(--text); margin-bottom: 0.75rem; font-size: 0.95rem; }
.content-section ul, .content-section ol { margin: 0.75rem 0 0.75rem 1.5rem; color: var(--text); font-size: 0.95rem; }
.content-section li { margin-bottom: 0.4rem; }
.statute-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--accent); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.statute-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; } .statute-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.warning-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--red); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.warning-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; } .warning-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.yellow-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--yellow); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.yellow-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; } .yellow-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.green-box { background: #21262d; border-left: 3px solid var(--green); padding: 1rem 1.25rem; border-radius: 0 6px 6px 0; margin: 1rem 0; }
.green-box p { margin-bottom: 0.5rem; } .green-box p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }
.content-section table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 1rem 0; font-size: 0.9rem; }
.content-section th, .content-section td { padding: 0.6rem 0.75rem; text-align: left; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); }
.content-section th { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.8rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.5px; font-weight: 600; }
.network-footer { background: var(--surface); border-top: 1px solid var(--border); padding: 2rem; text-align: center; margin-top: 3rem; }
.network-footer p { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.85rem; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; }
.network-footer .links { display: flex; justify-content: center; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 1rem; margin-top: 0.75rem; }
.network-footer .links a { color: var(--text-muted); font-size: 0.85rem; } .network-footer .links a:hover { color: var(--accent); }
.network-footer .disclaimer { margin-top: 1rem; font-size: 0.75rem; color: var(--text-muted); }
@media (max-width: 600px) {
header h1 { font-size: 1.5rem; } main { padding: 1.5rem 1rem; } .content-section { padding: 1.25rem; }
nav { padding: 0.75rem 1rem; } .hamburger { display: block; }
.nav-links { display: none; width: 100%; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.75rem; padding-top: 0.75rem; }
.nav-links.open { display: flex; }
.content-section table { font-size: 0.8rem; } .content-section th, .content-section td { padding: 0.5rem; }
}
.breadcrumb-nav{font-size:0.85rem;color:#8b949e;padding:0.5rem 0;max-width:900px;margin:0 auto}.breadcrumb-nav a{color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none}.breadcrumb-nav a:hover{text-decoration:underline}.breadcrumb-nav .separator{margin:0 0.5rem;color:#484f58}
</style>
<link href="https://section329.org/fee-disclosure-es.html" hreflang="es" rel="alternate"/>
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "NonprofitOrganization",
"name": "Open Bankruptcy Project",
"alternateName": "OBP",
"url": "https://openbankruptcyproject.org",
"email": "info@openbankruptcyproject.org",
"taxID": "41-5159631",
"nonprofitStatus": "Nonprofit501c3",
"description": "The Open Bankruptcy Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free tools, research, and consumer guides to help people navigate the federal bankruptcy system. We also conduct and publish empirical research on how the system actually works for consumers and share findings with rule-making bodies, regulators, and the public.",
"address": {
"@type": "PostalAddress",
"streetAddress": "1000 W 100th St",
"addressLocality": "Kansas City",
"addressRegion": "MO",
"postalCode": "64114",
"addressCountry": "US"
}
}
</script>
</head>
<body>
<a class="skip-link" href="#main-content">Skip to main content</a>
<nav aria-label="Site navigation" role="navigation">
<a class="site-name" href="/">section329.org</a>
<button aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation menu" class="hamburger" onclick="var n=this.nextElementSibling;var open=n.classList.toggle('open');this.setAttribute('aria-expanded',open);">☰</button>
<div class="nav-links">
<a href="/">Home</a>
<a class="active" href="/fee-disclosure.html">Fee Disclosure</a>
<a href="/excessive-fees.html">Excessive Fees</a>
<a href="/329b-motion.html">329(b) Motion</a>
<a href="/ust-fee-review.html">UST Review</a>
<a href="/attorney-rights.html">Attorney Rights</a>
</div>
</nav>
<header>
<h1>Attorney Fee Disclosure - <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/329#a_0" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Section 329(a)</a></h1>
<p class="subtitle">Every attorney representing a debtor must disclose all compensation. Failure can result in complete disgorgement.</p>
</header>
<main id="main-content">
<nav aria-label="Breadcrumb" class="breadcrumb-nav"><a href="https://1328f.org">Home</a><span class="separator">›</span><a href="https://section329.org">Section 329 Fee Disgorgement</a><span class="separator">›</span><span>Attorney Fee Disclosure - <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/329#a_0" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Section 329(a)</a></span></nav>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>The Disclosure Obligation</h2>
<p>Section 329(a) of the Bankruptcy Code requires every attorney representing a debtor to file a statement disclosing all compensation paid or agreed to be paid in connection with the case. This requirement applies regardless of whether the payment came from the debtor, a relative, a friend, or any other source.</p>
<div class="statute-box"><p><strong>11 U.S.C. Section 329(a):</strong> "Any attorney representing a debtor in a case under this title, or in connection with such a case, whether or not such attorney applies for compensation under this title, shall file with the court a statement of the compensation paid or agreed to be paid, if such payment or agreement was made after one year before the date of the filing of the petition..."</p></div>
<p>The disclosure is implemented through <strong>Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 2016(b)</strong>, which requires the attorney to file a verified statement within 14 days after the order for relief.</p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>What Must Be Disclosed</h2>
<p>The disclosure must include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>All compensation paid</strong> within one year before filing - retainers, flat fees, hourly payments, any form of consideration</li>
<li><strong>All compensation agreed to</strong> - including future fee arrangements, contingency agreements, or unbilled work</li>
<li><strong>Source of payments</strong> - who actually paid. If a family member paid the retainer, that must be disclosed</li>
<li><strong>Fee-sharing arrangements</strong> - whether any portion of compensation was shared with another entity (including referring attorneys or marketing companies)</li>
<li><strong>Terms of the agreement</strong> - flat fee, hourly, retainer with hourly billing against it, or any other structure</li>
</ul>
<div class="warning-box"><p><strong>Common trap:</strong> Some attorneys disclose only the retainer but fail to disclose additional fees charged for motions, adversary proceedings, or plan modifications. All compensation must be disclosed - not just the initial payment.</p></div>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Timing</h2>
<p>The disclosure statement must be filed <strong>within 14 days after the order for relief</strong>. In a voluntary bankruptcy case, the order for relief is the petition date itself. In an involuntary case, it is the date the court enters the order for relief.</p>
<p>If the fee arrangement changes during the case - for example, if the attorney charges additional fees for contested matters - a <strong>supplemental disclosure</strong> must be filed.</p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>Consequences of Failure to Disclose</h2>
<p>Courts treat disclosure failures harshly. The consequences include:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Complete disgorgement</strong> - Courts have ordered attorneys to return all fees, even when the fees were reasonable, because the failure to disclose is itself a violation</li>
<li><strong>Denial of compensation</strong> - Applications for additional fees will be denied</li>
<li><strong>Sanctions</strong> - Some courts impose sanctions beyond fee forfeiture</li>
<li><strong>Disciplinary referral</strong> - Particularly egregious failures may be referred to state bar authorities</li>
</ul>
<div class="statute-box"><p><strong>Key principle:</strong> The duty to disclose is independent of the reasonableness of fees. An attorney who charges $2,000 for a routine <a href="https://whatischapter7.com/" title="Chapter 7">Chapter 7</a> - a perfectly reasonable fee - can still face complete disgorgement if the fee was not properly disclosed.</p></div>
<p>See also: <a href="/329b-motion.html">How to file a 329(b) motion for fee review</a></p>
</div>
<div class="content-section">
<h2>The Purpose Behind the Requirement</h2>
<p>Congress imposed the disclosure requirement to protect vulnerable debtors. People filing bankruptcy are, by definition, in financial distress. They are often unsophisticated consumers who may not understand fee structures or know whether the amount charged is reasonable for the work performed.</p>
<p>The disclosure requirement ensures that the court, the U.S. Trustee, the case trustee, and creditors can all review the fee arrangement and raise objections if necessary. It is a transparency measure - and the courts enforce it strictly because without it, the review process cannot function.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="https://bankruptcymalpractice.org">Bankruptcy attorney malpractice guide</a> | <a href="https://prosedebtors.org">Filing without an attorney</a></p>
</div>
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1.5rem;text-align:center;max-width:600px;margin:2rem auto">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-size:1rem;font-weight:600;margin-bottom:0.5rem">Stay updated on new datasets and research findings</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin-bottom:1rem">No spam. No marketing. Just data.</p>
<form action="https://formspree.io/f/xkoqeyzw" method="POST" style="display:flex;gap:0.5rem;justify-content:center;flex-wrap:wrap">
<input name="email" placeholder="your@email.com" required="" style="padding:0.5rem 1rem;border-radius:6px;border:1px solid #30363d;background:#0d1117;color:#f0f6fc;font-size:0.9rem;min-width:250px" type="email"/>
<input name="_subject" type="hidden" value="OBP Research Subscriber"/>
<button style="padding:0.5rem 1.5rem;border-radius:6px;border:none;background:#238636;color:#fff;font-weight:600;font-size:0.9rem;cursor:pointer" type="submit">Subscribe</button>
</form>
</div>
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1rem 1.5rem;max-width:700px;margin:2rem auto">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:600;margin-bottom:0.5rem">Related Resources</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.9rem;margin-bottom:0.25rem"><a href="https://bankruptcymalpractice.org" style="color:#58a6ff">bankruptcymalpractice.org - Attorney malpractice guide</a></p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.9rem;margin-bottom:0"><a href="https://prosedebtors.org" style="color:#58a6ff">prosedebtors.org - Filing without an attorney</a></p>
</div>
<!-- BTN Cross-Links (auto-generated by crosslink_builder.py) -->
<div class="btn-crosslinks" style="max-width:820px;margin:1.5rem auto;padding:1.5rem;background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.75rem 0">Related Guides</p>
<ul style="list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0;display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(200px,1fr));gap:0.5rem">
<li><a href="https://bankruptcymill.com" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none">What is a Bankruptcy Mill?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none">Open Bankruptcy Project</a></li>
<li><a href="https://monitor.openbankruptcyproject.org" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none">Attorney Monitoring Dashboard</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</main>
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1.5rem;max-width:700px;margin:2rem auto">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:600;font-size:1.05rem;margin:0 0 0.75rem 0">Further Reading & Resources</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0 0 1rem 0">Authority sources for deeper research on bankruptcy trustees and the <a href="https://341meeting.org" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="341 Meeting of Creditors - Open Bankruptcy Project">341 meeting</a>:</p>
<ul style="list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0">
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/341" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">11 U.S.C. Section 341</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Cornell LII - meeting of creditors</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/329" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">11 U.S.C. Section 329</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Cornell LII - attorney fee review</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.justice.gov/ust" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">U.S. Trustee Program</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">DOJ bankruptcy oversight</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Bankruptcy Basics</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">USCourts.gov</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-bankruptcy-en-1935/" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">CFPB: What Is Bankruptcy?</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Consumer guide</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.lawhelp.org/" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Find Free Legal Aid</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">LSC legal aid finder</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22chapter+7+trustee%22+%22341+meeting%22+bankruptcy" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Trustee Research</a><br/><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Google Scholar</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!-- RELATED GUIDES - injected by inject_related_guides.py -->
<div id="related-guides" style="max-width:900px;margin:2.5rem auto;padding:0 1rem">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:700;font-size:1.2rem;margin:0 0 1rem 0;text-align:center">Related Guides</p>
<div style="display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(200px,1fr));gap:1rem">
<a class="related-card" href="https://bankruptcycost.com?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">Bankruptcy Filing Costs</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">Free bankruptcy information guide</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">bankruptcycost.com →</p>
</a>
<a class="related-card" href="https://bankruptcycost.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">Filing fees, attorney costs, and fee waivers</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">bankruptcycost.org →</p>
</a>
<a class="related-card" href="https://bankruptcymalpractice.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">Bankruptcy Attorney Malpractice</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">Free bankruptcy information guide</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">bankruptcymalpractice.org →</p>
</a>
<a class="related-card" href="https://howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=related-guides&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:8px;padding:1.25rem;text-decoration:none;display:block;transition:border-color 0.2s,transform 0.2s">
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-weight:600;font-size:1rem;margin:0 0 0.4rem 0">Bankruptcy Cost Breakdown</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin:0;line-height:1.4">Full cost breakdown for Chapter 7 and 13</p>
<p style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0.5rem 0 0 0">howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com →</p>
</a>
</div>
</div>
<style>
.related-card:hover {border-color:#58a6ff !important;transform:translateY(-2px)}
</style>
<!-- /RELATED GUIDES -->
<!-- BOOST-TOP10 internal links (boost_internal_links.py) -->
<div class="boost-top10" style="max-width:820px;margin:2rem auto;padding:1.5rem;background:#0d1117;border:1px solid #238636;border-radius:8px">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-weight:700;font-size:1.05rem;margin:0 0 0.75rem 0">You May Also Find Helpful</p>
<ul style="list-style:none;padding:0;margin:0">
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://chapter7vs13.org/?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=boost-top10&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.9rem">Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Comparison</a> <span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">-- chapter7vs13.org</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://bankruptcymeanstest.org/?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=boost-top10&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.9rem">Bankruptcy Means Test by State</a> <span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">-- bankruptcymeanstest.org</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://bankruptcystudentloans.org/?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=boost-top10&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#58a6ff;text-decoration:none;font-size:0.9rem">Student Loans in Bankruptcy</a> <span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">-- bankruptcystudentloans.org</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<!-- BTN:FOOTER:START -->
<footer class="network-footer" role="contentinfo">
<p style="color:#e6edf3;margin:0 0 0.5rem;font-size:0.95rem">Free, open-source bankruptcy transparency. No ads. No affiliate links. Supported by <a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/donate.html">donations</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project</strong></p>
<p>A project of the Open Bankruptcy Project, a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 41-5159631)</p>
<p>Real information, no strings.</p>
<div class="links">
<a href="https://automaticstay.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">automaticstay.org</a>
<a href="https://meanstest.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">meanstest.org</a>
<a href="https://341meeting.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">341meeting.org</a>
<a href="https://523a.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">523a.org</a>
<a href="https://109g.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">109g.org</a>
<a href="https://727a8.com?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">727a8.com</a>
<a href="https://prosedebtors.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">prosedebtors.org</a>
<a href="https://howtofilebankruptcy.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network">howtofilebankruptcy.org</a>
<a href="https://github.com/sponsors/openbankruptcyproject" onmouseout="this.style.background='#bf3989'" onmouseover="this.style.background='#9e2c6f'" style="display:inline-block;background:#bf3989;color:#fff;padding:0.6rem 1.8rem;border-radius:6px;font-weight:600;font-size:0.95rem;text-decoration:none;transition:background 0.2s">♥ Sponsor</a>
<a href="https://github.com/ilikemath9999/bankruptcy-discharge-screener">GitHub</a>
</div>
<p class="disclaimer">This site provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created. Consult a licensed attorney for advice on your specific situation.</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.75rem;font-size:0.8rem"><a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/privacy.html?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#7d8590;text-decoration:none">Privacy</a> | <a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/terms.html?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#7d8590;text-decoration:none">Terms</a> | <a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org?utm_source=section329.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=btn-network" style="color:#7d8590;text-decoration:none">Open Bankruptcy Project</a></p>
</footer>
<!-- BTN:FOOTER:END -->
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1.5rem;text-align:center;max-width:900px;margin:2rem auto 0">
<p style="color:#f0f6fc;font-size:1.1rem;font-weight:600;margin-bottom:0.25rem">PACER cases made free through RECAP: <span id="recap-count" style="color:#58a6ff">0</span> of 37.9 million</p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.85rem;margin-bottom:0.75rem">Every document we access becomes permanently free for the next researcher, attorney, or debtor.</p>
<div style="background:#21262d;border-radius:6px;height:22px;overflow:hidden;margin:0.75rem auto;max-width:400px"><div style="background:linear-gradient(90deg,#238636,#2ea043);height:100%;width:0%;border-radius:6px;min-width:2px"></div></div>
<p style="margin-bottom:0.25rem"><span style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:1.2rem;font-weight:700">$0</span> <span style="color:#9eaab6">of</span> <span style="color:#f0f6fc;font-size:1.2rem;font-weight:700">$5,000</span> <span style="color:#9eaab6">Q1 PACER research goal</span></p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.8rem;margin-bottom:0.75rem">1,500+ hours. No grants, no institutional backing. 0 supporters so far.</p>
<a href="https://github.com/sponsors/openbankruptcyproject" onmouseout="this.style.background='#bf3989'" onmouseover="this.style.background='#9e2c6f'" style="display:inline-block;background:#bf3989;color:#fff;padding:0.6rem 1.8rem;border-radius:6px;font-weight:600;font-size:0.95rem;text-decoration:none;transition:background 0.2s">♥ Sponsor</a>
</div>
<div style="background:#161b22;border:1px solid #30363d;border-radius:6px;padding:1rem 1.5rem;text-align:center;max-width:700px;margin:2rem auto">
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.8rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;margin-bottom:0.25rem">Federal Rules Committee</p>
<p style="color:#e6edf3;font-size:0.95rem;margin-bottom:0.25rem">This research supports two accepted suggestions to the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules: <a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/records-rules-committees/suggestions/dan-brown-26-bk-3" style="color:#58a6ff">Suggestions 26-BK-3 and 26-BK-5</a> and <a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/records-rules-committees/suggestions/dan-brown-26-bk-5" style="color:#58a6ff">Suggestion 26-BK-5</a></p>
<p style="color:#9eaab6;font-size:0.8rem;margin:0">Proposing automated <a href="https://section1328.org" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Section 1328 Discharge - Open Bankruptcy Project">Section 1328</a>(f) <a href="https://dischargebar.org" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Bankruptcy Discharge Bar - Open Bankruptcy Project">discharge bar</a> screening and <a href="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/rule-9037/" rel="noopener" target="_blank" title="Rule 9037 SSN Redaction - Open Bankruptcy Project">Rule 9037</a> SSN redaction in federal bankruptcy courts</p>
</div>
<script defer="" src="/btn-engage.js"></script>
<script>fetch("https://1328f.com/data/recap-count.json").then(function(r){return r.json()}).then(function(d){var e=document.getElementById("recap-count");if(e&&d.count!==undefined)e.textContent=d.count.toLocaleString();var b=document.getElementById("recap-bar");if(b&&d.count)b.style.width=Math.min(100,d.count/37900000*100).toFixed(4)+"%";var dn=document.getElementById("recap-donated");if(dn&&d.donated!==undefined)dn.textContent="$"+d.donated.toLocaleString()}).catch(function(){})</script>
<div style="text-align:center;padding:16px;color:#8b949e;font-size:0.8rem;border-top:1px solid #30363d;margin-top:20px"><p>This site provides general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation.</p></div>
<script defer="" src="https://openbankruptcyproject.org/btn-search.js"></script>
</body>
</html>