Bankruptcy Attorney Fees in California
California bankruptcy attorneys typically charge $35–$103 per hour, with a median rate of $59/hr - 18% above the $50/hr national median.
Bankruptcy fee context in California
California bankruptcy median $59/hr (band $35–$103/hr) = BLS May 2024 lawyer wage $85/hr × 0.70 bankruptcy multiplier. Wage index 120% of national; 18% above the $50/hr national bankruptcy median.
Flat fees standard for Chapter 7; hourly for Chapter 11 National flat-fee matter types for bankruptcy scale on this page by the 120% wage index. Estimates only, not quotes or legal advice.
Flat Fee Ranges in California
Chapter 7 flat fee (most common); Chapter 13 reorganization
What Affects Bankruptcy Attorney Costs in California
- • Chapter filed, Chapter 7 is the simplest and cheapest; Chapter 11 is the most complex
- • Assets and asset complexity, multiple properties, businesses, or unusual assets
- • Income complexity, determining the means test with self-employment income
- • Creditor challenges to discharge or exemptions
- • Business bankruptcy vs. consumer bankruptcy
California vs. National Average
| Metric | California | National |
|---|---|---|
| Low hourly rate | $35/hr | $30/hr |
| Median hourly rate | $59/hr | $50/hr |
| High hourly rate | $103/hr | $88/hr |
| Overall lawyer wage index | 120% | 100% |
Verify licensed attorneys in California
Open the OCA registry lookup to check registration status and discipline history for California counsel.
Search Attorneys →Nationwide states with similar bankruptcy fee benchmarks
Two non-geo peer axes for California: closest BLS-derived median hourly for this practice area, and closest overall lawyer wage index. Distinct from the geographic neighbor strip below.
Similar area median (~$59/hr)
Medians combine U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lawyer wages (SOC 23-1011) with editorial practice-area multipliers; they are budgeting references, not quotes from any specific attorney.
Bankruptcy fees nearby
- Oregon · $48/hr
- Nevada · $46/hr
- Arizona · $45/hr
- Hawaii · $49/hr
- Washington · $53/hr
California bankruptcy figures use BLS OES 2024 lawyer wages × 0.70 area multiplier + ABA flat-matter norms scaled by the local wage index. Estimates only, not quotes or legal advice. Source: BLS OES Lawyers (SOC 23-1011) Matter norms: ABA Law Practice Division publications; see methodology.