Bankruptcy and your home

For educational purposes only. This is a theoretical estimate, not legal advice, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. We are not attorneys, a law firm, or a bankruptcy petition preparer, and using this tool creates no attorney-client relationship. Bankruptcy is a legal process with serious, lasting consequences — only a licensed bankruptcy attorney who knows your full situation can advise you. Nothing you type is saved or sent.

First — what are you hoping to do?

Tap the one that sounds most like you. There are no wrong answers, and you can change it later.

What Texas county is the home in?

This sets which bankruptcy court would handle your case — the rules and some costs differ by district. (The court filing fee is federal and the same statewide.)

Is a foreclosure sale date set?

In Texas, sales happen on the first Tuesday of the month. Your notice of sale, if you got one, lists the date.

Have you had a bankruptcy case dismissed in the past 12 months?

"Dismissed" means a case was filed and then thrown out or closed without finishing. This matters a lot — it can change whether filing again actually stops a sale.

What's your normal monthly mortgage payment?

The full payment — including taxes and insurance if they're part of it (your "PITI"). This is the payment you'd restart in a Chapter 13 plan.

How far behind are you? — either box is fine

payments behind

If you only know how many payments you've missed, that's enough — we'll estimate the dollars. The real payoff usually runs a bit higher once late fees and legal costs are added.

Car loan(s) you want to keep — how much is still owed? — optional

If you're keeping a financed vehicle, its balance is usually paid through the Chapter 13 plan. Leave blank if none, or if you'd give the car back.

Past-due property taxes, IRS, or child support you owe — optional

These "priority" debts must be paid in full through the plan, so they raise the monthly payment. Leave blank if none.

Credit cards, medical bills & other unsecured debt — optional

Roughly the total. In Chapter 13 these are usually paid only a fraction — sometimes little or nothing — based on your income, so this is mostly for context. Leave blank if unsure.

Roughly what's your household income each month, before taxes? — optional

Your gross (pre-tax) monthly income. Used only to check the plan against a standard affordability guideline — it is not a means test, and nothing is saved.

Rough estimates for Texas — not legal advice. Your real numbers depend on your court, trustee, attorney, and a judge. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney before deciding.

Assumptions behind this example — tap to adjust

Plan length, attorney fees, trustee fee, and required courses. Defaults reflect the Dallas–Fort Worth area (Northern District of Texas) as of July 2026.

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Plan length

Most Chapter 13 plans that keep a home run the full 5 years. A judge sets the exact length.

Attorney fee — low end

$4,250 is the Dallas–Fort Worth court's presumptive Chapter 13 fee (General Order 2026-01).

Attorney fee — high end

"Additional fees" for extra work commonly push the total toward $6,000+. Get a real quote — attorneys and districts differ.

Attorney fee paid through the plan — if any

Default $0 — the attorney fee is generally paid up front to begin your case. Some attorneys let part be paid through the plan, but not all, so don't count on it. If yours does, enter that amount here.

Late/foreclosure fees per 6 months behind

Rule of thumb for the late fees and foreclosure/attorney costs the mortgage company adds to your past-due balance — about $1,500 for every six months behind. Added to the catch-up amount.

Chapter 13 trustee fee

Capped at 10% by federal law. All three Southern-District-of-Texas trustees charge exactly 10% as of Dec 2024 — but it varies by district and changes over time. It applies to every dollar routed through the trustee, including the through-plan attorney fee.

Mortgage paid through the trustee (“conduit”)?

In a “conduit” plan the trustee fee also applies to your mortgage payment, which raises the monthly cost. It's required in some districts (like Dallas–Fort Worth) and varies in others — confirm with a local attorney.

Required credit-counseling course

A short approved course is required before filing (~$0–$50; fee waivers exist).

Required debtor-education course

A second approved course is required before your debts are discharged (~$0–$50).

Talk to a real person — most of this help is free

This tool only estimates and explains. Only a licensed attorney can advise you. To get real help, start here:

A bankruptcy attorney (many offer a free first consult): find one through the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service ↗. Only an attorney can tell you whether — and how — to file.
Free or low-cost legal help: TexasLawHelp.org ↗ and your local legal aid office help Texans who qualify by income.
Required credit counseling (approved, low-cost, sometimes free): only agencies on the U.S. Trustee Program's approved list ↗ count for a bankruptcy filing.
How the court process actually works: the federal courts' plain-language Bankruptcy Basics ↗.
Free HUD-approved housing counseling: a counselor can walk through every option, not just bankruptcy — call the Homeowner's HOPE™ Hotline at 888-995-HOPE (4673) or find one near you ↗.

Important — please read

For educational purposes only. This is a theoretical estimate, not legal, financial, or tax advice, and it is not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. The people behind this site are not attorneys, a law firm, or a bankruptcy petition preparer, and using this tool does not create an attorney-client relationship. Nothing here is a recommendation that you should — or should not — file bankruptcy or choose any option. Only a licensed bankruptcy attorney who reviews your full situation can advise you.

This is not a government website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by any court, the U.S. Trustee Program, or any government agency. It is not a "debt relief agency" as defined in the Bankruptcy Code, does not provide bankruptcy assistance for payment, does not prepare documents, and does not help you file. It does not collect, store, or transmit any of your information, and it will never contact your lender, servicer, or the court for you.

The numbers are illustrative and simplified — they may be wrong for your case. The monthly figure is a simplified model of how a Chapter 13 "conduit" plan payment is built (the past-due amount spread over the plan, plus your ongoing mortgage payment, plus other catch-up debts, plus the part of the attorney fee paid through the plan, plus the trustee's percentage fee). A real plan also requires a review of your income and expenses, all your debts, property values, exemptions, prior filings, and local court rules that this tool does not calculate. Your real costs could be higher or lower. Many Chapter 13 plans do not make it all the way to completion; filing without a plan you can actually afford can cost you money and still lose the home.

This tool is provided "as is," with no warranties of any kind, and you rely on it entirely at your own risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the site and its operator disclaim all liability for any decision made or action taken based on it. Your use is also governed by the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Watch out for scams. No legitimate service should ask you to pay a fee to stop paying your mortgage, sign over your deed, or stop talking to your servicer or the court. Why is this free? This site charges nothing, shows no ads, sells nothing, and collects nothing. Legal and cost figures were last verified against primary sources (11 U.S.C. §§ 362 & 586, the Bankruptcy Court fee schedule, N.D. Tex. General Order 2026-01, and the S.D. Tex. trustee-fee page) in July 2026; these figures change, so verify current numbers with an attorney.

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Free educational tool. A theoretical estimate only — not legal advice, not an eligibility determination, and not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. Not affiliated with any court or government agency.