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Chapter 7 Lawyer Fees in St. Louis

Chapter 7 lawyer fees in St. Louis, Missouri average about $1,350 — roughly 89% of the U.S. average and in line with the Missouri state average of $1,350.

Low
$890
Average fee
$1,350
per filing
High
$2,200

What this typically includes

Means testing, preparing and filing the petition and schedules, guidance through the required pre-filing credit-counseling and pre-discharge debtor-education courses, and representation at the 341 meeting of creditors. The court filing fee, the course fees, and any adversary proceeding are billed separately.

St. Louis, MO State exemption (opt-out) state

Missouri has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemptions, so a Chapter 7 filer must use Missouri’s state exemption system to protect their home, car, and other property.

Chapter 7 attorneys in Missouri charge a flat fee that must be paid in full before filing, plus the $338 court filing fee. Missouri’s exemptions — especially the homestead exemption — decide what you keep, so they shape whether Chapter 7 is the right fit.

Get in touch with a chapter 7 lawyer in St. Louis

Browse these chapter 7 attorneys serving St. Louis. Give a call or request an estimate and connect with local firm that fits your case.

We’re still adding chapter 7 attorneys in St. Louis. Request a free case evaluation and we’ll connect you with a local firm.

About St. Louis, MO

298,018
Population
$52,941
Median household income
1,553
Law firms in the St. Louis area

With a cost-of-living index of 89% of the U.S. average and a median household income of $52,941, chapter 7 attorney fees in St. Louis tend to run 11% lower than the national norm. The St. Louis area supports roughly 1,553 law firms, so clients have a competitive local market to choose from.

How St. Louis compares

Average chapter 7 lawyer fees, St. Louis vs. Missouri vs. the U.S.

St. Louis
$1,350
Missouri
$1,350
U.S. average
$1,500

St. Louis sits about 11% lower than the national average for chapter 7 lawyer fees.

What affects chapter 7 lawyer fees in St. Louis

In St. Louis, the cost of living runs 89% of the U.S. average and the median household income is $52,941 — both of which influence what local attorneys charge. Beyond location, these factors move chapter 7 lawyer fees:

  • Case complexity — Many creditors, significant assets, or a business add work.
  • Income & means test — Higher income or a failed means test can push you toward Chapter 13.
  • Assets to protect — More non-exempt property means more planning before you file.
  • Self-employment — Business income and assets complicate the schedules and means test.
  • Prior filings or disputes — Adversary proceedings or creditor objections raise the cost.
  • Local court practice — Customary fees and trustee practices vary by district.

How to choose a chapter 7 lawyer in St. Louis

Fees matter, but the right chapter 7 attorney in St. Louis also protects both your time and your result. Before you hire:

  • Confirm the fee structure. Chapter 7 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 chapter 7 experience. Choose an attorney who regularly handles chapter 7 cases in Missouri, not a generalist.
  • Use the free consultation. Most St. Louis chapter 7 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 Missouri 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.
See how chapter 7 fees work

Need help with your chapter 7 case?

Average attorney fees in St. Louis by case type

National benchmarks adjusted by St. Louis's cost-of-living index (89). Open a case type for its full St. Louis fee breakdown.

Case type How it’s billed Low Average High
Chapter 7 Flat fee $890 $1,350 $2,200
Divorce Flat fee $1,750 $6,650 $17,700
Immigration Flat fee $440 $3,100 $13,300
Real Estate Flat fee $710 $1,350 $3,100
Probate Flat fee $1,350 $4,000 $13,300
Car Accidents Contingency $1,750 $5,300 $13,300
Personal Injury Contingency $2,650 $8,850 $26,600
Patent Flat fee $4,450 $8,850 $15,950
Estate Planning Flat fee $440 $1,750 $4,450
DUI Flat fee $1,350 $3,550 $8,850
Child Support Hourly $890 $3,100 $8,850
Criminal Defense Flat fee $1,350 $4,450 $13,300
Child Custody Hourly $1,750 $7,100 $22,150
H-1B Visa Flat fee $1,750 $3,100 $5,300
Trademark Flat fee $530 $1,050 $2,200
Living Trust Flat fee $1,050 $2,200 $4,450
Traffic Ticket Flat fee $89 $270 $660
Family Law Hourly $1,350 $6,200 $17,700
Speeding Ticket Flat fee $89 $270 $660
Bankruptcy Flat fee $890 $1,750 $4,000
Premises Liability Contingency $4,850 $15,500 $70,900
Pedestrian Accident Contingency $3,100 $10,650 $35,450
Traffic Violation Flat fee $89 $270 $660
Clemency Flat fee $1,750 $5,300 $13,300
Bicycle Accident Contingency $2,200 $7,100 $22,150
Medicaid Planning Flat fee $2,650 $5,750 $13,300
Adoption Flat fee $1,350 $4,450 $13,300
Medical Malpractice Contingency $22,150 $88,600 $310,100
Expungement Flat fee $440 $1,350 $3,550
Workers Compensation Contingency $1,350 $3,550 $8,850
SSDI Contingency $1,750 $3,550 $8,150
Uncontested Divorce Flat fee $440 $1,050 $2,200
Uber Accident Contingency $2,650 $7,950 $29,250
Tax Hourly $1,350 $4,450 $13,300
Rideshare Accident Contingency $2,650 $7,950 $29,250
Eviction Flat fee $440 $1,050 $2,650
Employment Contingency $2,200 $8,850 $35,450
Small Claims Flat fee $89 $440 $1,350
Bus Accident Contingency $3,550 $10,650 $39,850
Pardon Flat fee $1,350 $4,450 $13,300
Disability Contingency $1,750 $3,550 $8,150
Chapter 13 Flat fee $2,650 $3,550 $5,300
Drunk Driving Accident Contingency $3,550 $13,300 $53,150
Defense Flat fee $1,350 $4,450 $13,300
Prenuptial Agreement Flat fee $890 $2,200 $6,650
Auto Dealer Fraud Contingency $2,200 $6,650 $22,150
Guardianship Flat fee $1,350 $3,550 $10,650
Closing Flat fee $620 $1,050 $2,200
Social Security Contingency $1,750 $3,550 $8,150
Business Hourly $1,350 $5,300 $22,150
Construction Accident Contingency $10,650 $44,300 $177,200
Alimony Hourly $2,650 $7,950 $22,150
Domestic Violence Flat fee $1,350 $3,550 $10,650
Green Card Flat fee $1,750 $3,550 $7,100
Business Litigation Hourly $13,300 $53,150 $221,500
Police Misconduct Contingency $7,100 $35,450 $221,500
K-1 Visa Flat fee $1,350 $2,200 $3,550
Foreclosure Flat fee $1,350 $3,100 $6,650
Annulment Flat fee $890 $2,650 $8,850
Sexual Abuse Contingency $17,700 $75,300 $354,400
Juvenile Flat fee $1,350 $3,100 $8,850
Debt Settlement Contingency $890 $2,650 $7,100
Bad Faith Insurance Contingency $7,100 $26,600 $110,750
Lemon Law Contingency $1,750 $4,450 $13,300
Divorce Mediation Hourly $2,200 $4,850 $10,650
Unpaid Wages Contingency $1,750 $7,100 $31,000
Non-Compete Agreement Flat fee $440 $2,200 $44,300
Consumer Protection Contingency $1,750 $4,450 $13,300
Life Insurance Denial Contingency $7,100 $44,300 $177,200
Personal Loan Hourly $440 $1,750 $4,450
Hostile Work Environment Contingency $3,550 $13,300 $57,600
Wrongful Death Contingency $13,300 $53,150 $221,500
Age Discrimination Contingency $4,450 $17,700 $75,300
Construction Defect Hourly $7,100 $39,850 $177,200
Elder Law Hourly $1,350 $4,450 $10,650
Restraining Order Flat fee $890 $2,200 $6,650
Debt Collection Defense Flat fee $440 $1,350 $4,450
Visitation Hourly $1,350 $4,450 $17,700
Brain Injury Contingency $17,700 $101,900 $443,000
Power of Attorney Flat fee $180 $350 $890
Birth Injury Contingency $88,600 $398,700 $1,329,000
CPS Defense Hourly $2,200 $6,650 $22,150
White Collar Crime Hourly $13,300 $66,450 $354,400
Wrongful Termination Contingency $2,650 $10,650 $39,850
Tenant Hourly $890 $2,200 $5,300
EB-2 NIW Flat fee $3,550 $6,200 $10,650
O-1 Visa Flat fee $3,100 $5,300 $8,850
Name Change Flat fee $270 $660 $2,200
F-1 Student Visa Flat fee $660 $1,600 $4,450
Misdemeanor Flat fee $660 $1,350 $3,100
Gun Charges Flat fee $1,350 $5,300 $66,450
Chapter 11 Hourly $22,150 $66,450 $354,400
Citizenship Flat fee $440 $890 $2,200
Severance Agreement Flat fee $440 $1,050 $4,450
LLC Formation Flat fee $440 $1,050 $2,200
Emancipation Flat fee $970 $2,050 $4,800
House Purchase Flat fee $710 $1,150 $2,200
Arbitration Hourly $5,750 $24,800 $84,150
IRS Audit Hourly $890 $4,000 $17,700
CDL Ticket Flat fee $350 $800 $2,200
Truck Accident Contingency $4,450 $14,200 $44,300
Defamation Hourly $4,450 $13,300 $44,300
SSI Contingency $890 $2,650 $8,150
Surrogacy Flat fee $3,100 $7,100 $13,300
Probation Violation Flat fee $890 $2,200 $6,650
HOA Hourly $1,350 $3,550 $8,850
Reckless Driving Flat fee $890 $2,200 $4,450
Suspended License Flat fee $660 $1,550 $2,650
Asylum Flat fee $2,650 $5,300 $13,300
Franchise Hourly $1,750 $6,650 $53,150
Court-Martial Defense Flat fee $7,950 $28,350 $115,200
EB-5 Visa Flat fee $10,650 $22,150 $44,300
Discharge Upgrade Flat fee $1,350 $3,550 $8,850
Copyright Flat fee $270 $1,350 $6,650
ERISA Contingency $2,650 $13,300 $66,450
Driving Without a License Flat fee $220 $530 $1,350
Marriage Green Card Flat fee $1,350 $2,650 $6,650
Hit and Run Accident Contingency $2,200 $7,100 $26,600
Overtime Contingency $2,200 $7,950 $35,450
Timeshare Exit Flat fee $1,350 $4,000 $13,300
Fraud Defense Flat fee $2,200 $6,650 $22,150
Civil Lawsuit Hourly $2,650 $13,300 $44,300
Irrevocable Trust Flat fee $2,200 $5,300 $13,300
VAWA Self-Petition Flat fee $2,150 $4,250 $8,400
Property Tax Appeal Contingency $130 $440 $1,750
Slip and Fall Contingency $3,550 $10,650 $35,450
Special Education Hourly $1,750 $6,650 $22,150
Entertainment Hourly $660 $3,100 $22,150
EB-1 Visa Flat fee $4,450 $7,950 $14,200
Special Needs Trust Flat fee $1,750 $4,000 $8,850
Student Loan Flat fee $660 $2,200 $7,100
Civil Rights Violation Contingency $4,450 $22,150 $132,900
Immigration Bond Flat fee $1,350 $2,650 $5,300
Motorcycle Accident Contingency $2,650 $7,950 $26,600
Dog Attack Injury Contingency $2,650 $8,850 $26,600
Insurance Claim Contingency $1,750 $6,650 $22,150
Discrimination Contingency $2,650 $10,650 $39,850
Professional License Defense Hourly $2,200 $7,100 $22,150
Commercial Real Estate Hourly $2,200 $7,950 $39,850
Intellectual Property Flat fee $440 $2,200 $13,300
U Visa Flat fee $3,000 $5,650 $11,500
Security Clearance Flat fee $2,200 $6,650 $17,700
Deportation Hourly $2,650 $7,100 $17,700
Mesothelioma Contingency $44,300 $310,100 $886,000
Trust Administration Hourly $2,200 $5,300 $17,700
Shoplifting Flat fee $660 $1,350 $3,550
Startup Flat fee $2,200 $6,650 $26,600
Burglary Flat fee $3,100 $7,950 $22,150
E-2 Visa Flat fee $3,100 $5,300 $8,850
Partnership Dispute Hourly $17,700 $66,450 $265,800
Mediation Hourly $1,350 $4,450 $13,300
Postnuptial Agreement Flat fee $890 $2,650 $7,950
Dental Malpractice Contingency $7,100 $23,900 $97,450
Property Damage Contingency $1,350 $5,300 $17,700
Product Liability Contingency $13,300 $53,150 $221,500
Breach of Contract Hourly $2,650 $17,700 $66,450
Health Insurance Denial Hourly $660 $3,100 $13,300
Criminal Appeal Flat fee $6,650 $17,700 $44,300
Paternity Hourly $890 $2,650 $10,650
Debt Collector Harassment Contingency $1,350 $3,550 $13,300
Boundary Dispute Hourly $2,200 $10,650 $39,850
Corporate Hourly $3,100 $10,650 $53,150
Title IX Flat fee $2,850 $10,200 $30,100
Whistleblower Contingency $4,450 $17,700 $88,600
Legal Malpractice Contingency $8,850 $35,450 $132,900
Quiet Title Flat fee $1,350 $3,550 $22,150
Construction Hourly $3,100 $22,150 $132,900
Immigration Waiver Flat fee $2,200 $4,450 $8,850
Asset Protection Flat fee $2,650 $7,100 $22,150
Federal Criminal Defense Flat fee $8,850 $31,000 $132,900
Assault Flat fee $1,350 $3,550 $13,300
Contract Review Flat fee $270 $710 $2,650
Landlord Hourly $660 $2,650 $13,300
Unemployment Appeal Flat fee $440 $1,050 $3,100
Legal Separation Hourly $2,200 $7,100 $22,150
Deed Transfer Flat fee $220 $530 $1,600
L-1 Visa Flat fee $2,650 $4,850 $7,950
Security Deposit Flat fee $350 $890 $2,650
Custody Modification Hourly $1,600 $5,300 $19,500
Work Permit Flat fee $400 $840 $1,950
Employment Contract Flat fee $530 $1,400 $4,000
Civil Appeal Flat fee $7,100 $19,500 $53,150
Contested Divorce Hourly $8,850 $17,700 $44,300
Wage Garnishment Flat fee $350 $1,100 $3,100
Stepparent Adoption Flat fee $1,350 $2,200 $7,100
Mergers and Acquisitions Hourly $6,650 $22,150 $88,600
Retaliation Contingency $4,000 $14,200 $62,000
Murder Flat fee $22,150 $66,450 $221,500
DACA Flat fee $440 $1,050 $2,650
Mass Tort Contingency $7,100 $31,000 $132,900
Will Contest Hourly $5,300 $22,150 $88,600
Loan Modification Flat fee $660 $1,750 $4,450
Business Sale Flat fee $3,550 $8,400 $26,600
Nonprofit Formation Flat fee $1,350 $3,300 $7,550
Will Flat fee $130 $350 $890
Felony Defense Flat fee $3,100 $8,850 $26,600
Drug Possession Flat fee $1,350 $3,550 $13,300
Theft Flat fee $890 $3,100 $10,650
House Sale Flat fee $710 $1,250 $2,200
Tax Debt Relief Flat fee $890 $3,100 $8,850
Disability Discrimination Contingency $3,100 $12,400 $53,150
Commercial Lease Flat fee $1,050 $3,100 $10,650
Bail Hearing Flat fee $710 $2,000 $4,450
Credit Report Errors Contingency $2,650 $6,650 $24,800
Removal of Conditions Flat fee $890 $1,950 $5,300
Family-Based Petition Flat fee $800 $1,600 $3,550
Hurricane Damage Claim Contingency $3,100 $11,500 $39,850
VA Disability Contingency $1,350 $4,450 $13,300
Long-Term Disability Contingency $2,200 $7,100 $22,150
Nursing Home Abuse Contingency $13,300 $53,150 $177,200
Sexual Harassment Contingency $4,450 $15,950 $66,450
Spinal Cord Injury Contingency $26,600 $132,900 $664,500
Elder Abuse Contingency $10,650 $37,200 $124,050
Drug Trafficking Flat fee $10,650 $35,450 $155,050
Child Support Modification Flat fee $800 $2,150 $6,000
Sex Crime Defense Flat fee $12,400 $42,550 $168,350
Military Pension Division Flat fee $2,100 $5,100 $15,300

Chapter 7 lawyer fees in other Missouri cities

Compare local chapter 7 attorney fees across Missouri.

Saint Louis Kansas City Springfield Lees Summit Liberty Mountain Grove Waynesville Nixa Hillsboro Independence Lawson Park Hills

FAQs - Chapter 7 attorney fees in St. Louis

Chapter 7 lawyer fees in St. Louis average about $1,350, with a typical range of $890 to $2,200. That is roughly 89% of the U.S. average, adjusted for the local cost of living.

St. Louis's cost-of-living index is about 89% of the national average, so chapter 7 attorney fees here tend to run 11% lower 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 chapter 7 attorney in St. Louis, or enter your ZIP code for a more precise estimate.

We take the national benchmark for chapter 7 cases and adjust it by St. Louis's cost-of-living index — about 89% of the U.S. average — giving a local Low, Average, and High of $890, $1,350, and $2,200.

St. Louis averages about $1,350 for chapter 7 lawyer fees, compared with roughly $1,350 across Missouri and $1,500 nationally.

Many chapter 7 attorneys in St. Louis offer a free initial consultation to review your case before you commit. Check each firm's listing above for details.

Look for a St. Louis attorney who regularly handles chapter 7 cases, check reviews and their standing with the Missouri 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 St. Louis chapter 7 matter, always confirm how the costs are handled alongside the fee.

In St. Louis, chapter 7 lawyer fees are typically paid as a single flat fee agreed up front. Case costs are usually billed separately from the fee.

For most chapter 7 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 St. Louis consultation to weigh it for your situation.

ZIP codes covered

These St. Louis chapter 7 fee estimates cover ZIP code 63101.

Last updated Oct 1, 2026 · Fee figures are local averages for informational purposes only and are not legal advice or a quote. See how we estimate fees.