How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Utah (2025 Guide)

Struggling with debt can feel overwhelming. Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out credit cards, medical bills, payday loans, and utility bills. It stops wage garnishments, collection calls, and lawsuits immediately. If your case is straightforward, you can file without a lawyer and save thousands.

You’ll learn the complete process here. From gathering documents to completing your 341 meeting, we’ll guide you through each step.

How To File Bankruptcy in Utah for Free

Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Utah gives you a fresh financial start. Most people complete the process in three to four months. You can do it yourself if you meet income requirements and have simple finances.

Collect Your Utah Bankruptcy Documents

Before filing, you need to gather specific documents. The court and trustee use these to verify your financial situation.

Required documents include:

• Pay stubs from the past six months
• Tax returns from the last two years
• A bank statement that includes your filing date

Optional but helpful documents:

• Credit card and loan statements
• Letters from debt collectors
• Bank statements from the last 6-12 months
• A recent credit report

You can get free credit reports weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Take a Credit Counseling Course

You must complete credit counseling before filing. The course helps you understand your finances and explore options.

Course details:

• Costs $10-$50 (fee waivers available)
• Available online or by phone
• Must use an approved provider
• Complete within 180 days before filing
• File your certificate with your bankruptcy forms

Keep your certificate. Without it, the court will dismiss your case.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

Filing forms are federal documents, identical in every state. You can download them free from USCourts.gov.

Utah requires some local forms too. We’ll cover those in the filing requirements section.

Need help with forms? Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to discuss your options.

Get Your Filing Fee

The Chapter 7 filing fee is $338. If you can’t afford it, you have two options:

Request a fee waiver if your income is below 150% of the poverty level. The court will review your finances.

Pay in up to four monthly installments. Filing immediately triggers the automatic stay, which stops garnishments and collection actions. Missing a payment dismisses your case.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

Follow these rules when printing:

• Use black ink only
• Print single-sided
• Use standard letter-size white paper
• Don’t staple or hole-punch pages
• Sign every required page

File Your Forms With the Utah Bankruptcy Court

Utah only accepts electronic filing from lawyers. You’ll file in person or by mail at the Salt Lake City courthouse.

Many people file in person. The clerk checks your forms immediately and confirms everything is complete. You don’t risk mail delays.

Mailing works too. Double-check signatures and documents before sending. Use certified mail for proof of delivery.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

The court assigns a trustee to manage your case. The trustee reviews your paperwork and leads your 341 meeting.

You’ll receive a notice with your trustee’s name and contact information. Your 341 meeting date appears on this notice.

Send these documents at least 14 days before your meeting:

• Most recent federal tax return
• Bank statement for each account (dated on your filing date)
• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub showing full SSN
• Most recent pay stub or income proof
• Payment Advices Certification form (required Utah form)

Send everything on time. Missing documents delay your case.

Take a Debtor Education Course

After your 341 meeting, you complete a second course. Debtor education teaches money management skills for your fresh start.

Course requirements:

• Complete within 60 days of your 341 meeting
• Use a court-approved provider
• Takes about one hour
• Costs $10-$50 (fee waivers available)

File your completion certificate with the court. You need it to receive your discharge.

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after filing, you’ll attend your 341 meeting. Most meetings happen on Zoom and last less than 10 minutes.

The trustee places you under oath and asks simple questions. They verify your identity and confirm your forms are accurate.

Have these documents ready:

• Your bankruptcy forms
• Documents sent to your trustee
• Court notice

Answer honestly. The meeting is quick and straightforward.

Deal With Your Car

Most filers keep their vehicle. Your options depend on ownership and equity.

If you own your car outright: You can keep it if the value is under Utah’s $3,000 vehicle exemption.

If you’re paying off a car loan: You have options based on equity (vehicle value minus loan balance).

If your equity is protected, you can:

• Reaffirm the loan: Sign an agreement with the lender to keep making payments. You must be current, and a judge must approve.
• Redeem the car: Pay the lender a lump sum equal to the car’s current value. Your lender must agree.

You can also surrender the car. Give it back to the lender and erase the remaining balance.

If you lease your car: Either reject the lease and return the car, or assume the lease and continue payments.

Utah Bankruptcy Means Test

The means test determines Chapter 7 eligibility. It examines your income to confirm you can’t repay debts.

The test has two parts. First, it compares your monthly income to Utah’s median income for your household size. Below the limit? You pass immediately.

Most filers qualify at this first step.

Utah Median Income Standards (2025)

Income limits vary by household size. Compare your monthly income to these figures:

• 1 person: Check current figures at the court website
• 2 people: Updated annually by the court
• 3+ people: Contact the court for current limits

Utah Fee Waiver Eligibility (2025)

You qualify for a fee waiver when your income is under 150% of the poverty level.

Monthly income limits:

• 1 person: $1,882.50
• 2 people: $2,555.00
• 3 people: $3,227.50
• 4 people: $3,900.00
• 5 people: $4,572.50
• 6 people: $5,245.00
• 7 people: $5,917.50
• 8 people: $6,590.00

Utah Districts and Filing Requirements

Utah has one bankruptcy district serving the entire state. Submit forms by mail or in person:

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah
Frank E. Moss U.S. Courthouse
350 South Main Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Utah uses standard federal forms plus specific formatting for your creditor matrix.

The creditor matrix lists everyone you owe money to with their addresses. The court uses it to send case notices.

The court provides a Chapter 7 Filing Checklist to help you organize.

Pay the $338 fee with a cashier’s check or money order to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.” No cash, credit cards, or personal checks accepted.

Utah Bankruptcy Exemptions

Bankruptcy exemptions protect property when you file. You keep essential items like your home, car, and household goods.

Utah doesn’t allow federal exemptions. If you’ve lived in Utah for two years, you’ll use Utah’s exemption laws.

Key Utah exemptions:

• Homestead: Up to $52,400 equity in your primary residence ($6,200 for other property)
• Vehicle: One vehicle worth up to $3,000 for daily transportation
• Tools of trade: Up to $5,000 for work vehicles or equipment
• Wildcard: Utah doesn’t offer a general wildcard exemption

Ready to eliminate debt and get your fresh start? Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to see if Chapter 7 is right for you.

Utah Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost

Hiring a lawyer is the biggest Chapter 7 expense. It’s worth considering if you own a home or have complex finances.

Utah bankruptcy attorneys charge flat fees between $1,500 and $2,200 for Chapter 7 cases.

You can file without a lawyer if your case is simple. Many people successfully complete the process themselves.