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How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Washington D.C.

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In a Nutshell

Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Washington, D.C., can be a powerful way to erase debts like credit cards and medical bills, and many people successfully do it on their own without hiring a lawyer. The process includes gathering financial documents, completing required courses, filling out federal and local forms, and submitting them to the D.C. Bankruptcy Court. There are also steps to follow after filing, like attending a short meeting with a trustee and sending in additional paperwork. If you meet certain income limits, you may qualify to file for free, and tools like Upsolve or help from legal aid can make the process more manageable.

Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer
Updated October 21, 2025


How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Washington, D.C.

If you're feeling buried by bills or stressed about money, you're not alone. Many people in Washington, D.C., turn to Chapter 7 bankruptcy as a way to erase debts like credit cards, medical bills, payday loans, and old utility balances.

The good news? Many people successfully file Chapter 7 without a lawyer. If your case is simple, you may be able to do it yourself.

✨ Upsolve may be able to help! Take our two-minute screener to see if you’re eligible to use our free filing tool.


Collect Your D.C. Bankruptcy Documents

Before you can file your Chapter 7 case, you’ll need to fill out detailed forms about your income, expenses, debts, and assets. Having the right documents on hand from the start can help you stay organized and complete your forms accurately. 

✅ Start by gathering these documents:

  • Pay stubs from the past six months 

  • Federal income tax returns from the past two years

  • A bank statement that covers your filing date 

The court or trustee will ask to see this information.

It’s also helpful to collect other documents, such as:

  • Credit card and loan statements

  • Letters or bills from debt collectors

  • Bank statements from the past 6–12 months

  • Recent credit report

📄 You can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus every week at AnnualCreditReport.com.

✨ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, we’ll pull your credit report for you automatically.

Take a Credit Counseling Course

To get started with your bankruptcy case, you’ll need to take a credit counseling course. The course gives you helpful info about your options for dealing with debt, including bankruptcy.

📚 Here’s how it works:

  • You must take the course within 180 days before you file.

  • It usually costs between $10 and $50, but you can ask for a fee waiver if you can’t afford it.

  • Most people take it online or by phone. It usually takes about an hour.

  • You must use an approved provider.

⚠️ When you finish, you’ll get a certificate. Be sure to include this when you file with your bankruptcy forms.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

Every Chapter 7 bankruptcy case requires a set of federal forms. These forms are the same in every state and ask about your income, debts, property, and recent financial history. 

You can download them for free as fillable PDFs from USCourts.gov. Some D.C. filers may also need to submit local forms. 

➡️ You can find details about local requirements in the Washington, D.C., District & Filing Requirements section.

💻 If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, we’ll fill out all the required forms for you based on your answers to a simple online questionnaire.

Get Your Filing Fee

Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy costs $338, but many filers qualify for a fee waiver based on their income.

✨ If you use Upsolve’s free filing tool, we’ll help prepare the fee waiver form for you. You’ll still need to print and submit it yourself.

📆 If you don’t qualify for a waiver, you can ask to pay the fee in installments. If approved, you’ll make monthly payments until the full amount is paid off.

🛑 Some people choose the installment option to file quickly and trigger the automatic stay. This legal protection can stop things like wage garnishments or repossession. If you choose this route, be sure to stay on top of your payments so your case doesn’t get delayed or dismissed.

After your forms are completed and you’ve got a filing fee plan, you’re ready to print your forms to file with the court. 

🖨️ Here are some printing best practices:

  • Use black ink on white paper.

  • Print single-sided only.

  • Use standard letter-size paper (8.5" x 11").

  • Don’t staple, hole-punch, or bind the pages.

🖊️ Be sure to sign every page that asks for a signature.

✨ If you’re using Upsolve’s filing tool, you’ll get a downloadable packet with all your forms. It flags every spot you need to sign so nothing gets overlooked.

✅ You can use this official checklist to make sure you have everything you need.

File Your Forms With the D.C. Bankruptcy Court

Once everything’s printed and signed, you're ready to file with the D.C. Bankruptcy Court. If you’re filing without a lawyer, you’ll need to file your forms either in person or by mail. Electronic filing isn’t currently an option in D.C.

🏛️ Many people choose to file in person because it’s the fastest and most reliable option. When you file at the courthouse, the clerk can do a quick check to make sure nothing is missing. You’ll also get your bankruptcy case number right away.

If you aren’t able to file in person, it’s okay to send your forms via mail. If possible, send via certified mail or with a tracking number so you know when your forms are received.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After you file your case, the court will assign a bankruptcy trustee to oversee it. 

💡 The trustee isn’t a judge. They’re a neutral person who reviews your paperwork, checks for accuracy, and leads your 341 meeting. This is a short appointment where the trustee asks a few questions about your forms and finances.

📌 A few days after you file, you’ll get an official notice with your trustee’s name, contact information, and the date and time of your 341 meeting.

🗂️ To help your trustee prepare, you’ll usually need to send these documents at least 14 days before your meeting:

  • A copy of your most recent federal tax return (or a note explaining why you don’t have one)

  • A bank statement for each account you had on the day you filed

  • A clear copy of your government-issued photo ID

  • Proof of your Social Security number (like a copy of your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub with your full SSN)

  • Your most recent pay stub or other proof of income

Your trustee may also ask for additional documents. Staying on top of these requests will keep your case moving in the right direction.

Take a Debtor Education Course

Before you can get your debts discharged, there’s one last required class: the debtor education course. This class covers personal finance basics to help you manage money and feel more confident about your finances after bankruptcy. 

You must complete this course to get a discharge, which is the court order that officially wipes out your qualifying debts. 

🧠 Here’s what to know about the course:

  • You have 60 days after your 341 meeting to complete it (though some people take it before to get it out of the way early).

  • You must use a court-approved provider for Washington, D.C.

  • The course costs $10–$50 and takes about an hour. Many providers offer fee waivers.

  • After finishing, you'll get a certificate of completion that must be filed with the court.

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after you file, you’ll attend a short video meeting with your bankruptcy trustee. This is called the 341 meeting, or meeting of creditors. It’s a required step in every Chapter 7 case and usually lasts less than 10 minutes.

💻 Most 341 meetings happen virtually on Zoom. Your court notice will include the date, time, and Zoom login information.

During the meeting, the trustee will place you under oath and ask a few simple questions about your bankruptcy forms, finances, and identity. Creditors can attend, but they almost never do.

📄 It’s helpful to have these nearby during the meeting:

  • A copy of your bankruptcy forms

  • The documents you sent your trustee (like your tax return or recent pay stub)

  • The official case notice from the court

  • A government-issued photo ID and proof of your Social Security number

🎉 It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous beforehand, but most people are surprised by how simple and quick the meeting is.

If everything stays on track, your debts are usually discharged about 2–3 months after the meeting.

Deal With Your Car

Though it’s one of the biggest worries, many people are able to keep their car through the bankruptcy process. What happens depends on whether you own your car outright, have a loan, or are leasing it.

🚗 If you own your car, you can usually keep it if its value is less than the allowed exemption. Exemptions are legal protections that let you keep certain property in bankruptcy. Washington, D.C., filers can choose between state or federal exemptions. Both offer protection for a car, and many people who own a modest vehicle can keep it.

👉 You’ll learn more about exemptions later in the Washington, D.C., Bankruptcy Exemptions section.

💵 If you have a car loan, you have a few options. 

  • If you’re up to date on the loan and want to keep the car, you can sign a reaffirmation agreement. This means you agree to continue paying the loan as usual. The lender and the court must approve the agreement.

  • If you owe more than the car is worth, you can also opt to redeem the car by paying the car’s market value in one lump sum. Many filers find this difficult since it requires a lump-sum payment. Also, the lender must agree to the redemption.

  • If you don’t want to keep the car or can’t afford the loan, you can surrender the car. This allows you to return the car and wipe out the remaining loan balance through bankruptcy.

📄 If you lease your car, you can return the car or keep the lease and continue making payments. Learn more in our car lease bankruptcy guide.

Washington, D.C., Bankruptcy Means Test

To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you’ll need to pass something called the means test. This is a two-part test that looks at your income and finances to help the court decide if you’re eligible to erase your debts through Chapter 7.

Most people qualify by passing the first part. This step compares your household income to the median income for a household of your size in Washington, D.C. If your income is below that number, you qualify to file.

If your income is higher than the median, you can account for allowable expenses. This can be legally complex. Most people who make it to this point opt to get legal help to verify their eligibility. 

Upsolve can connect you with a local attorney for a free consultation.

Data on Median Income Levels for Washington, D.C.

District Of Columbia Median Income Standards for Means Test for Cases Filed In 2025
Household SizeMonthly IncomeAnnual Income
1$7,349.17$88,190.00
2$12,111.25$145,335.00
3$15,222.58$182,671.00
4$18,292.67$219,512.00
5$19,217.67$230,612.00
6$20,142.67$241,712.00
7$21,067.67$252,812.00
8$21,992.67$263,912.00
9$22,917.67$275,012.00
10$23,842.67$286,112.00

Data on Poverty Levels for Washington, D.C.

District Of Columbia Fee Waiver Eligibility for Cases Filed In 2025

Eligible for fee waiver when under 150% the poverty level.

Household SizeState Poverty LevelFee Waiver Limit (150% PL)
1$1,255.00$1,882.50
2$1,703.33$2,555.00
3$2,151.67$3,227.50
4$2,600.00$3,900.00
5$3,048.33$4,572.50
6$3,496.67$5,245.00
7$3,945.00$5,917.50
8$4,393.33$6,590.00
9$4,841.67$7,262.50
10$5,290.00$7,935.00

Washington, D.C., District & Filing Requirements

Washington, D.C., has one federal bankruptcy district. The D.C. Bankruptcy Court has a detailed checklist and filing guide that’s especially helpful if you’re filing without a lawyer. It outlines everything you’ll need to submit and how to get it right the first time.

You can file your bankruptcy forms either in person or via mail at: 📍 United States Bankruptcy Court 333 Constitution Avenue N.W., Room 1225 Washington, D.C. 20001

📄 You’ll use the standard federal forms, along with a couple of local requirements. One of these is the mailing matrix, which is just a list of your creditors and their addresses. The court asks that you follow specific formatting guidelines, and you’ll need to attach a cover sheet when you submit it.

💰 You can pay the $338 Chapter 7 filing fee with exact cash (in person only), or a cashier’s check or money order made out to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. You can also pay online through Pay.gov using a debit card, bank account, or PayPal.

🚫 The court doesn’t accept credit cards or personal checks from people filing without a lawyer.

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Washington, D.C., Bankruptcy Exemptions

Bankruptcy exemptions help you protect the things you need to live and work, like your home, car, and basic belongings. Thanks to exemptions, you won’t have to start from scratch when you file for Chapter 7. 

If you file in Washington, D.C., you can choose to use either the federal exemptions or the District of Columbia’s state exemptions. You can pick whichever set protects more of your property, but you can’t mix and match between the two.

⚖️ Here’s a quick comparison of the key exemptions under each system:

  • 🏠 Homestead (home equity)

    • D.C.: Unlimited equity in your primary residence, as long as you and your family live there

    • Federal: Up to $31,575 in home equity (or $63,150 if married and filing jointly)

  • 🚗 Motor vehicle

    • D.C.: Up to $2,575 of equity in one vehiclFederal: Up to $5,025 of equity in one vehicle

  • 🎯 Wildcard exemption (can be used on anything)

    • D.C.: $850, plus up to $8,075 of unused homestead exemption

    • Federal: $1,675, plus up to $15,800 of unused homestead exemption

Washington, D.C., Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost

If you have a complex financial situation or valuable assets such as a home, it can be helpful to get legal advice or have an attorney represent you in your case.

In Washington, D.C., most bankruptcy attorneys charge a flat fee. That fee generally ranges between $1,200 and $2,500, depending on how complex your situation is.

Attorneys are often the biggest cost in a bankruptcy case, but they can bring value in handling difficult legal issues, helping protect assets, and reducing mistakes that could delay or derail your case.

🤝 Many lawyers offer a free consultation, so you can explore whether working with one makes sense for your case. 

Filing bankruptcy without a lawyer is possible, but it’s not the right fit for everyone. If hiring an attorney isn’t in your budget, legal aid organizations may be able to help. These groups offer free or low-cost legal help to people with limited income. Some provide full representation, while others offer brief advice or help with specific parts of your case.

Below are some legal aid organizations that serve the Washington, D.C., area.

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District of Columbia Court Locations

District of Columbia Judges

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District of Columbia Trustees

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Written By:

Attorney Andrea Wimmer

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Andrea practiced exclusively as a bankruptcy attorney in consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 cases for more than 10 years before joining Upsolve, first as a contributing writer and editor and ultimately joining the team as Managing Editor. While in private practice, Andrea handled... read more about Attorney Andrea Wimmer

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