How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Connecticut
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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 Nutmeggers file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Connecticut.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated June 4, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Connecticut
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.
Filing Chapter 7 in Connecticut involves a few steps — gathering your financial documents, completing two short courses, filing your paperwork, and attending a brief meeting with a trustee — and many people do it successfully without a lawyer. 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 Connecticut’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file with Upsolve.
Connecticut 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. Some courts also require local forms.
If you use Upsolve, your forms are generated for you based on your answers and organized so they’re ready to print and sign.
Connecticut has one judicial district for the entire state, so all bankruptcy cases are filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut.
You can file your forms in person at the clerk’s office or mail them to the correct division. The court has three locations, and you’ll file in the division that serves your county:
📍 Bridgeport Division – for residents of Litchfield and Fairfield counties Brien McMahon Federal Building 915 Lafayette Boulevard, Room 309 Bridgeport, CT 06604
📍 Hartford Division – for residents of Hartford, New London, Tolland, and Windham counties Abraham A. Ribicoff Federal Building 450 Main Street, 7th Floor Hartford, CT 06103
📍 New Haven Division – for residents of New Haven and Middlesex counties Connecticut Financial Center 157 Church Street, 18th Floor New Haven, CT 06510
How filing works with Upsolve →
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.
Connecticut 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 can pay the $338 filing fee by:
Money order or cashier's check made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Debit card or ACH bank transfer online through Pay.gov
In-person only: You can also pay with exact cash or a debit card at the clerk's office.
Mailing your forms: Include your money order/cashier's check with your paperwork, or pay online and attach a printed payment receipt.
🚫 Credit cards and personal checks aren't accepted.
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 Connecticut
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 Connecticut.
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, Inc. (860) 344-8096 1290 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 3A Wethersfield, CT 06109
