How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Minnesota
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If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Minnesotans file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Minnesota.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated May 5, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Minnesota
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. You'll answer a few questions about your household size and income. If you use Upsolve's free tool, it just takes two minutes to see if you qualify.
If your income is below Minnesota’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
Minnesota Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
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Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov.
Minnesota also has one local requirement: the creditor matrix. This is a typed list of everyone you owe money to, along with their mailing addresses. The court uses it to send out official notices about your case. You can submit your matrix through the court's online tool — just follow the formatting instructions carefully.
If you use Upsolve, your forms are generated for you based on your answers and organized so they’re ready to print and sign.
How filing works with Upsolve →
Minnesota has one bankruptcy district. You can file your forms in person or by mail at either of Minnesota's two staffed courthouses.
📍St. Paul Warren E. Burger Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse 316 North Robert Street, Suite 200 St. Paul, MN 55101
📍Minneapolis Diana E. Murphy U.S. Courthouse 300 South Fourth Street, Suite 301 Minneapolis, MN 55415
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
Minnesota Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2026Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll need to pay the full filing fee or an installment payment (if approved) when you file your forms.
💰 You have a couple of ways to pay the $338 filing fee in Minnesota:
Online: You can pay with a debit card or PayPal using the court’s Online Payment Form.
By mail or in person: You can also pay with a cashier’s check or money order made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, submitted along with your paperwork.
🚫 The court doesn’t accept personal checks, credit cards, or cash.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Free Legal Aid in Minnesota
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across Minnesota.
Central Minnesota Legal Services, Inc. (612) 332-8151 111 N. 5th Street, Suite 402 Minneapolis, MN 55403
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (218) 623-8100 230 W. Superior Street, Suite 200 Duluth, MN 55802
Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota Corporation (218) 233-8585 1015 7th Avenue North Moorhead, MN 56560
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, Inc. (651) 228-9823 450 N. Syndicate Street, Suite 260 St. Paul, MN 55104
