Bankruptcy Lawyer Fees in Pittsburgh
Bankruptcy lawyer fees in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania average about $2,050 — roughly 102% of the U.S. average and in line with the Pennsylvania state average of $2,050.
What this typically includes
Means testing, preparation and filing of the petition and schedules, the required credit-counseling guidance, and representation at the 341 meeting of creditors. Court filing fees and adversary proceedings are billed separately.
Pennsylvania lets you choose between the federal bankruptcy exemptions and Pennsylvania’s own exemption system, so you can pick whichever protects more of your home, car, and savings.
Bankruptcy attorneys in Pennsylvania charge a flat fee that depends on the chapter — Chapter 7 is typically lower and paid before filing, while Chapter 13 fees are often set by a presumptive “no-look” amount in your district and paid through the repayment plan. Your state’s exemptions, especially the homestead exemption, can shape which chapter is the better fit.
Get in touch with a bankruptcy lawyer in Pittsburgh
Browse these bankruptcy attorneys serving Pittsburgh. Give a call or request an estimate and connect with local firm that fits your case.
We’re still adding bankruptcy attorneys in Pittsburgh. Request a case evaluation and we’ll connect you with a vetted local firm.
Get a case evaluation
Tell us a bit about your bankruptcy case in Pittsburgh and we’ll connect you with a vetted local attorney.
About Pittsburgh, PA
With a cost-of-living index of 102% of the U.S. average and a median household income of $60,187, bankruptcy attorney fees in Pittsburgh typically run 2% higher than the national norm. The Pittsburgh area supports roughly 1,196 law firms, so clients have a competitive local market to choose from. As a local cost gauge, the fair-market rent for a two-bedroom home in the Pittsburgh area is about $1,161/month.
How Pittsburgh compares
Average bankruptcy lawyer fees, Pittsburgh vs. Pennsylvania vs. the U.S.
Pittsburgh runs about 2% higher than the national average for bankruptcy lawyer fees.
What affects bankruptcy lawyer fees in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, the cost of living comes in at 102% of the U.S. average and the median household income is $60,187 — both of which shape what local attorneys charge. Beyond location, these factors drive bankruptcy lawyer fees:
- Chapter (7 vs. 13) — Chapter 13 involves a multi-year repayment plan and costs more than Chapter 7.
- Case complexity — Many creditors, a business, or significant assets add work.
- Income & means test — Higher income or a failed means test can push you into Chapter 13.
- Assets to protect — More property to exempt means more planning before you file.
- Disputes & prior filings — Adversary proceedings or creditor objections raise the cost.
- Local court practice — “No-look” fee norms and filing fees vary by district.
How to choose a bankruptcy lawyer in Pittsburgh
Fees matter, but the right bankruptcy attorney in Pittsburgh also saves you time and improves your outcome. Before you hire:
- Confirm the fee structure. Bankruptcy matters are usually a flat fee — one agreed price for the work. Get it in writing before you sign — our flat fees guide explains exactly what to look for.
- Look for bankruptcy experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles bankruptcy cases in Pennsylvania, not a generalist.
- Use the free consultation. Most Pittsburgh bankruptcy attorneys review your case at no cost — use it to compare two or three.
- Verify licensing. Confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the Pennsylvania state bar.
- Clarify what's included. Ask which case costs are separate from the fee and how they are billed — see attorney fees vs. case costs.
Average attorney fees in Pittsburgh by case type
National benchmarks adjusted by Pittsburgh's cost-of-living index (102). Open a case type for its full Pittsburgh fee breakdown.
| Case type | How it’s billed | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car Accidents | Contingency | $2,050 | $6,100 | $15,250 |
| Divorce | Flat fee | $2,050 | $7,650 | $20,350 |
| Real Estate | Flat fee | $810 | $1,550 | $3,550 |
| Personal Injury | Contingency | $3,050 | $10,150 | $30,500 |
| Bankruptcy | Flat fee | $1,000 | $2,050 | $4,600 |
| Criminal Defense | Flat fee | $1,550 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| Immigration | Flat fee | $1,000 | $3,550 | $10,150 |
| Disability | Contingency | $2,050 | $4,050 | $9,350 |
| Probate | Flat fee | $1,550 | $4,600 | $15,250 |
| Truck Accident | Contingency | $5,100 | $16,250 | $50,850 |
| Motorcycle Accident | Contingency | $3,050 | $9,150 | $30,500 |
| Bicycle Accident | Contingency | $2,550 | $8,150 | $25,450 |
| Uber Accident | Contingency | $3,050 | $9,150 | $33,550 |
| Property Damage | Contingency | $1,550 | $6,100 | $20,350 |
| Dog Attack Injury | Contingency | $3,050 | $10,150 | $30,500 |
| Insurance Claim | Contingency | $2,050 | $7,650 | $25,450 |
| Wrongful Death | Contingency | $15,250 | $61,000 | $254,250 |
| Uncontested Divorce | Flat fee | $510 | $1,200 | $2,550 |
| Family Law | Hourly | $1,550 | $7,100 | $20,350 |
| Child Custody | Hourly | $2,050 | $8,150 | $25,450 |
| Adoption | Flat fee | $1,550 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| Prenuptial Agreement | Flat fee | $1,000 | $2,550 | $7,650 |
| Child Support | Hourly | $1,000 | $3,550 | $10,150 |
| Domestic Violence | Flat fee | $1,550 | $4,050 | $12,200 |
| Restraining Order | Flat fee | $1,000 | $2,550 | $7,650 |
| Guardianship | Flat fee | $1,550 | $4,050 | $12,200 |
| Surrogacy | Flat fee | $3,550 | $8,150 | $15,250 |
| Power of Attorney | Flat fee | $200 | $410 | $1,000 |
| Estate Planning | Flat fee | $510 | $2,050 | $5,100 |
| Living Trust | Flat fee | $1,200 | $2,550 | $5,100 |
| Elder Law | Hourly | $1,550 | $5,100 | $12,200 |
| Will | Flat fee | $150 | $410 | $1,000 |
| Defense | Flat fee | $1,550 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| DUI | Flat fee | $1,550 | $4,050 | $10,150 |
| Pardon | Flat fee | $1,550 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| Expungement | Flat fee | $510 | $1,550 | $4,050 |
| Juvenile | Flat fee | $1,550 | $3,550 | $10,150 |
| Felony Defense | Flat fee | $3,550 | $10,150 | $30,500 |
| Clemency | Flat fee | $2,050 | $6,100 | $15,250 |
| Probation Violation | Flat fee | $1,000 | $2,550 | $7,650 |
| Misdemeanor | Flat fee | $760 | $1,550 | $3,550 |
| Security Clearance | Flat fee | $2,550 | $7,650 | $20,350 |
| Discharge Upgrade | Flat fee | $1,550 | $4,050 | $10,150 |
| H-1B Visa | Flat fee | $2,050 | $3,550 | $6,100 |
| Green Card | Flat fee | $2,050 | $4,050 | $8,150 |
| Citizenship | Flat fee | $510 | $1,000 | $2,550 |
| EB-2 NIW | Flat fee | $4,050 | $7,100 | $12,200 |
| K-1 Visa | Flat fee | $1,550 | $2,550 | $4,050 |
| E-2 Visa | Flat fee | $3,550 | $6,100 | $10,150 |
| Deportation | Hourly | $3,050 | $8,150 | $20,350 |
| O-1 Visa | Flat fee | $3,550 | $6,100 | $10,150 |
| Closing | Flat fee | $710 | $1,200 | $2,550 |
| House Purchase | Flat fee | $810 | $1,300 | $2,550 |
| Eviction | Flat fee | $510 | $1,200 | $3,050 |
| Property Tax Appeal | Contingency | $150 | $510 | $2,050 |
| Foreclosure | Flat fee | $1,550 | $3,550 | $7,650 |
| HOA | Hourly | $1,550 | $4,050 | $10,150 |
| Tenant | Hourly | $1,000 | $2,550 | $6,100 |
| Chapter 7 | Flat fee | $1,000 | $1,550 | $2,550 |
| Chapter 13 | Flat fee | $3,050 | $4,050 | $6,100 |
| Personal Loan | Hourly | $510 | $2,050 | $5,100 |
| Debt Settlement | Contingency | $1,000 | $3,050 | $8,150 |
| SSDI | Contingency | $2,050 | $4,050 | $9,350 |
| Social Security | Contingency | $2,050 | $4,050 | $9,350 |
| VA Disability | Contingency | $1,550 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| Long-Term Disability | Contingency | $2,550 | $8,150 | $25,450 |
| Traffic Ticket | Flat fee | $100 | $310 | $760 |
| Speeding Ticket | Flat fee | $100 | $310 | $760 |
| Traffic Violation | Flat fee | $100 | $310 | $760 |
| Reckless Driving | Flat fee | $1,000 | $2,550 | $5,100 |
| Suspended License | Flat fee | $760 | $1,800 | $3,050 |
| Patent | Flat fee | $5,100 | $10,150 | $18,300 |
| Trademark | Flat fee | $610 | $1,200 | $2,550 |
| Workers Compensation | Contingency | $1,550 | $4,050 | $10,150 |
| Small Claims | Flat fee | $100 | $510 | $1,550 |
| Civil Lawsuit | Hourly | $3,050 | $15,250 | $50,850 |
| Consumer Protection | Contingency | $2,050 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| Lemon Law | Contingency | $2,050 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| Defamation | Hourly | $5,100 | $15,250 | $50,850 |
| Employment | Contingency | $2,550 | $10,150 | $40,700 |
| Discrimination | Contingency | $3,050 | $12,200 | $45,750 |
| Wrongful Termination | Contingency | $3,050 | $12,200 | $45,750 |
| Whistleblower | Contingency | $5,100 | $20,350 | $101,700 |
| Tax | Hourly | $1,550 | $5,100 | $15,250 |
| Business | Hourly | $1,550 | $6,100 | $25,450 |
| Medical Malpractice | Contingency | $25,450 | $101,700 | $355,950 |
Bankruptcy lawyer fees in other Pennsylvania cities
Compare local bankruptcy attorney fees across Pennsylvania.
FAQs - Bankruptcy attorney fees in Pittsburgh
Bankruptcy lawyer fees in Pittsburgh average about $2,050, with a typical range of $1,000 to $4,600. That is roughly 102% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.
Pittsburgh's cost-of-living index is about 102% of the national average, so bankruptcy attorney fees here tend to run 2% higher than the U.S. norm.
The figures here are local averages. For a number tied to your specific situation, request a free match with a bankruptcy attorney in Pittsburgh, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.
We take the national benchmark for bankruptcy cases and adjust it by Pittsburgh's cost-of-living index — about 102% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $1,000, $2,050, and $4,600.
Pittsburgh averages about $2,050 for bankruptcy lawyer fees, compared with roughly $2,050 across Pennsylvania and $2,000 nationally.
Many bankruptcy attorneys in Pittsburgh offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.
Look for a Pittsburgh attorney who regularly handles bankruptcy cases, check reviews and their standing with the Pennsylvania state bar, and use free consultations to compare a few before you decide.
Attorney fees pay for the lawyer's time and skill, while case costs are separate out-of-pocket expenses such as filing fees, records, and expert witnesses. In a Pittsburgh bankruptcy matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.
In Pittsburgh, bankruptcy lawyer fees are typically paid as a single flat fee agreed up front. Case costs are usually billed separately from the fee.
For most bankruptcy matters, yes — the right attorney can improve your outcome by more than the fee, and many work on terms that limit your risk. Use a free Pittsburgh consultation to weigh it for your situation.
ZIP codes covered
These Pittsburgh bankruptcy fee estimates span ZIP code 15201.
Last updated Aug 6, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.