File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy for Free in Massachusetts (2025 Guide)

Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Massachusetts can erase debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans. You can get a fresh start.

It might feel overwhelming, especially when money is tight. But many people file without a lawyer.

You can complete the entire process for free. This guide walks you through each step.

You’ll learn how to gather documents and take required courses. You’ll complete forms and attend a short trustee meeting.

You’ll also learn about Massachusetts-specific rules and exemptions. You can confidently move forward, even without legal help.

How To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Massachusetts

Collect Your Massachusetts Bankruptcy Documents

You need to collect important financial documents to start your bankruptcy case. Some documents go to the court or bankruptcy trustee.

Other documents help you fill out your forms. The forms ask about your income, expenses, and debts.

Here are the documents you must submit or share:

• Pay stubs from the last six months
• Tax returns from the last two years
• A bank statement that includes the date you filed your case

While organizing your paperwork, gather these documents too:

• Bank statements from the past 6-12 months
• Bills or statements from creditors
• Letters from collection agencies or debt collectors
• A recent credit report

You can get a free credit report from each major credit bureau at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

You need to fill out a set of official forms to begin your case. These forms are the same across the country.

Bankruptcy is handled by federal law. You can download forms for free from USCourts.gov.

If you work with a bankruptcy attorney, they’ll prepare and file the forms using your information. You still need to review everything carefully.

You must sign the forms before they’re submitted.

Some local courts ask for extra forms or documents. Check the local rules for your bankruptcy district.

We cover this in detail in the Massachusetts Districts & Filing Requirements section below.

Take a Credit Counseling Course

You need to take a credit counseling course before filing your bankruptcy case. This one-time class explains your debt relief options.

The course helps you decide whether bankruptcy is the right step.

You must complete the course within 180 days before you file. You need to file a certificate of completion with the court.

If you don’t, your case could be dismissed.

Here are other important details:

• You can take the class online, over the phone, or in person
• It usually takes about an hour to complete
• It costs $10-$50, but many filers qualify for a fee waiver
• You must take it from a state-approved provider in Massachusetts

Once you finish the course and get your certificate, you’re one step closer to starting your case.

Get Your Filing Fee

There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. That might feel like a lot when you’re struggling with bills.

But many people get the fee waived. Your income must be below 150% of the federal poverty guideline to qualify.

If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver but can’t afford the full fee, you can ask the court for a payment plan. This lets you break the fee into smaller payments over time.

A payment plan gives you access to the automatic stay. This legal protection stops most collection efforts right after you file.

If you go this route, make sure you can make all payments on time. Missing one could lead to your case being dismissed.

For some people, this option offers a helpful path forward when money is tight.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

Unless you’re filing online, you need to print your bankruptcy forms. You can submit them to the court by mail or in person.

If you’re printing your forms, here are helpful tips:

• Use standard 8.5″ x 11″ white paper
• Print in black ink, single-sided only
• Don’t staple or hole-punch your forms
• Sign every page that requires a signature
• Double-check that everything is included

If you’re working with a lawyer, they’ll usually file everything electronically for you.

You can email your forms to prose_filings@mab.uscourts.gov to save on printing costs. Your forms must be saved as PDFs.

Follow the court’s complete instructions for electronic filing.

File Your Forms With the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court

Once your forms are ready, file them with the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court. You can submit them in person, by mail, or online.

All three options are available in every Massachusetts bankruptcy district.

Many people choose to file in person if they’re able. The clerk can review your paperwork right away.

The clerk will let you know if anything is missing. Bring your original forms and a copy.

The clerk can stamp the copy for your records.

Keep in mind, you’ll be going to a federal courthouse. You’ll go through security when you enter.

We cover where to file and how to submit forms electronically below. We also explain payment options in the Massachusetts Districts & Filing Requirements section.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After you file your bankruptcy forms, the court assigns a trustee to handle your case. The trustee’s job is to review your paperwork.

The trustee confirms everything is accurate and deals with property issues. In most Chapter 7 cases, this part is straightforward.

You’re usually able to keep all your belongings.

You will have a meeting with your trustee. Before that, you need to send them a few documents.

You should get a court notice with your trustee’s contact details. You may also hear from your trustee after you file.

Gather any documents they request.

The U.S. Trustee website says filers should be prepared to send:

• Your two most recent federal tax returns
• A bank statement showing your balances on the day you filed
• A clear copy of your photo ID (like a license or passport)
• Proof of your Social Security number (such as a copy of your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub)
• A recent pay stub or other proof of your current income

The trustee’s website recommends sending these documents at least 14 days before your meeting. If you’re missing something, include a short note to let the trustee know why.

Take the Second Required Course (Financial Management/Debtor Education)

Once your bankruptcy case is underway, there’s one final course you must complete. You need this before your debts can be erased.

The second course is called debtor education or financial management. It focuses on managing money, budgeting, and using credit wisely.

The goal is to help you make the most of your fresh start.

Here are important details:

• The class takes about an hour to complete
• You need to take it within 60 days of your 341 meeting with your trustee
• You must use a court-approved class provider
• When you finish, you’ll get a certificate
• You need to file the certificate with the court

If you don’t take the class and file the certificate on time, you won’t receive the bankruptcy discharge. The court order that wipes out your debts won’t be issued.

Your case will likely be dismissed.

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after you file your bankruptcy forms, you’ll attend a short meeting. It’s called the 341 meeting or the “meeting of creditors.”

Creditors rarely show up.

The bankruptcy trustee reviews your paperwork and asks a few questions. The trustee asks about your forms and finances.

In Massachusetts, most 341 meetings happen online through Zoom. You’ll get a notice from the court with the date, time, and instructions.

These meetings are usually quick and low stress. Most last less than 10 minutes.

You need two documents for the meeting:

• A government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)
• Proof of your Social Security number (like your Social Security card, a W-2, or a pay stub with your full SSN)

If you don’t submit or show both, your meeting may be delayed or rescheduled.

If you’ve reviewed your forms ahead of time and have your documents ready, this meeting usually goes smoothly. After it’s done, you’ll be one step closer to getting your debts wiped out.

Deal With Your Car

It’s common to worry about losing your car when you file for bankruptcy. The good news is that many people keep their vehicles.

Whether you can keep yours depends on a few key things:

• How much your car is worth
• Whether you own it outright, have a car loan, or lease it
• What exemptions you can use to protect the car

Massachusetts has a $7,500 motor vehicle exemption. If your car’s value or equity is less than $7,500, you can usually keep it.

We explain more about exemptions in the Massachusetts Bankruptcy Exemptions section.

If you’re still making loan payments, you have three main options:

• Reaffirm the loan: If you’re current on payments and want to keep the car, you can sign a reaffirmation agreement. You remain responsible for future payments and get to keep the car.
• Redeem the car: If you’re upside-down on your car loan and owe more than it’s worth, you may want to consider redemption. You pay the lender the car’s current value in a lump sum in exchange for the title.
• Surrender the car: If the payments no longer work for you or the car isn’t worth keeping, you can give it back to the lender and erase the loan debt in your bankruptcy.

If you own your car outright, you can keep it if it’s worth less than the exemption amount. You can check the value by looking at local sale listings or online tools like Kelley Blue Book.

Massachusetts Bankruptcy Means Test

Chapter 7 bankruptcy eligibility is based on income. The test to ensure you’re eligible for Chapter 7 is called a means test.

It looks at your income and expenses to decide if you qualify.

The means test has two steps:

• Step 1: You’ll compare your household income to the median income for a household of your size in Massachusetts. If your income is below the median, you likely qualify without moving to Step 2.
• Step 2: If your income is over the limit, you’ll need to complete a second part. The test looks at your monthly expenses including rent, utilities, food, and medical costs. The aim is to see how much disposable income you have left over each month to pay your debts.

Many filers qualify based on income alone. If your income is too high and you need to do the second step, it’s best to speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to confirm your eligibility.

Massachusetts Districts & Filing Requirements

The state of Massachusetts is covered by one bankruptcy district. It has three court divisions:

• Boston (Eastern Division): John W. McCormack Post Office and Court House, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 1150, Boston, MA 02109-3945
• Worcester (Central Division): Donohue Federal Building, 595 Main Street, Room 311, Worcester, MA 01608-2076
• Springfield (Western Division): United States Courthouse, 300 State Street, Springfield, MA 01105

Be sure to include any required local forms with your bankruptcy petition.

The Massachusetts Bankruptcy Court has a helpful list of bankruptcy FAQs. It also has a free detailed guide for people filing bankruptcy without a lawyer.

Filing Options in the District of Massachusetts

In all divisions, you can file your Chapter 7 bankruptcy forms in person, via mail, or via email.

While you can file at any of the above courthouses, your case will be routed to the courthouse serving your district.

As of May 1, 2025, you can file your bankruptcy petition electronically. Email all forms as PDFs to prose_filings@mab.uscourts.gov.

Be sure to follow the court’s complete instructions for electronic filing.

Payment Options in the District of Massachusetts

You can pay the bankruptcy filing fee with a money order or cashiers check. When you submit your application, be prepared to pay the filing fee in full.

You can also submit either a fee waiver form or request for installment payments.

The court does not accept personal checks, credit cards, or cash for the bankruptcy filing fee.

Massachusetts Bankruptcy Exemptions

You may think filing bankruptcy means you’ll lose everything you own. But this isn’t true.

You’re protected by bankruptcy exemptions. Exemptions allow you to keep some property from being sold.

In fact, most Chapter 7 filers protect all their property using exemptions.

If you’ve lived in Massachusetts for at least two years when you file, you can choose. You can pick between Massachusetts bankruptcy exemptions and the federal bankruptcy exemptions.

Massachusetts’ state bankruptcy exemptions are more generous than the federal exemptions. They protect more of your belongings from liquidation.

Among other things, you can protect a declared homestead with equity up to $500,000. You can protect a vehicle worth up to $7,500.

A homestead is your home, the land it’s located on, and any outbuildings.

Massachusetts law even includes a wildcard. The wildcard allows an exemption for any item of your choosing up to $1,000.

You can add to this up to $5,000 of any other unused exemption as well.

Massachusetts Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost

Though you may want to save money by filing without a lawyer, this may not always make sense. That’s especially true if the cost of an attorney is less than the assets you might lose without legal advice.

Massachusetts bankruptcy lawyers charge an average flat fee of $1,100 to $1,700 for legal services. The cost varies depending on the complexity of the case.

When choosing a lawyer, you’ll want to look at several factors, not just the cost.

Massachusetts Legal Aid Organizations

Legal aid in Massachusetts is available for low-income individuals and families needing help with civil matters. This includes Massachusetts bankruptcy cases.

If you’re worried about filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Massachusetts by yourself, the court has listed several resources. These include Massachusetts legal aid organizations and pro bono lawyer referral resources.