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

If you’re feeling stressed about money, you’re not alone. Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Washington can give you a clean slate. You can wipe out debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans.

There is a path forward.

Steps To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Washington

Follow these steps to file your Chapter 7 case in Washington.

Collect Your Washington Bankruptcy Documents

Gather important financial documents to fill out your bankruptcy forms accurately.

You must have:

• Pay stubs from the past six months
• Federal tax returns from the last two years
• A bank statement that covers your filing date

It’s also helpful to have:

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

Take a Credit Counseling Course

You need to complete a credit counseling course from an approved agency. The short course helps you review your financial situation.

Here’s what to know:

• You must take the course within 180 days before filing
• It’s available online, by phone, or sometimes in person
• The course typically costs $10-$50, but fee waivers are available
• You’ll get a certificate of completion

You must include this certificate when filing your bankruptcy forms. Missing it could get your case dismissed.

Complete the Bankruptcy Forms

Once you’ve gathered documents and taken credit counseling, complete your bankruptcy forms. These are official federal forms available for free at USCourts.gov.

The forms ask for detailed information about your income, debts, assets, and financial history.

Some courts require local forms in addition to federal ones. You’ll find Washington’s requirements in the districts section below.

If you work with a bankruptcy attorney, they’ll fill out and file the forms for you.

Get Your Filing Fee

There’s a $338 court filing fee to start a Chapter 7 case. Many people qualify for a fee waiver.

If you don’t qualify for a waiver, you can apply to pay in installments. You can split the fee into up to four payments.

Filing in installments helps if you’re facing urgent collection actions like wage garnishment. The automatic stay pauses most collections once you file.

Stick to your payment plan if you choose installments. Missing a payment can get your case dismissed.

Print Your Bankruptcy Forms

Unless you’re using electronic filing, print a paper copy of your forms. You’ll file by mail or in person.

Follow these best practices when printing:

• Use standard 8.5″ x 11″ white paper
• Print single-sided in black ink
• Don’t staple or hole-punch the pages
• Sign every signature page

Many filers make a full copy for their records. The court can stamp your copy with the filing date.

File Your Forms With the Washington Bankruptcy Court

Once your forms are ready, officially file your case. You can submit paperwork in person, by mail, or online.

Filing in person has several advantages:

• The court clerk can quickly review your documents
• You get immediate confirmation that your case is filed
• No worries about delays or lost paperwork

Filing by mail is another option, but it often takes longer. Send forms via certified mail to track them.

Online filing is available in both districts. The process and platforms vary by district.

Mail Documents to Your Trustee

After filing, the court will assign a Chapter 7 trustee to oversee your case. You’ll receive their contact information shortly after filing.

Your trustee reviews your paperwork and verifies information. They also check if property could be sold to repay creditors.

Trustees typically ask for these documents:

• Your two most recent federal tax returns
• A bank statement that includes your filing date
• A copy of your photo ID
• Proof of your Social Security number
• A recent pay stub or proof of income

Send these at least two weeks before your trustee meeting. If you’re missing something, include a note explaining why.

In the Western District, you’ll also complete a local form called the Debtors Required Documents for Trustee.

Take a Debtor Education Course

After filing your case, complete a second required course called debtor education. The course focuses on personal financial management.

It helps you build better budgeting skills and use credit wisely.

Here’s what you need to know:

• You must complete the course within 60 days of your 341 meeting
• Take the course from a court-approved provider
• File the certificate with the court after finishing

Completing this course is required to receive your debt discharge. The court won’t erase your debts without your certificate.

Attend Your 341 Meeting

About a month after filing, you’ll attend a short meeting called the 341 meeting. Most meetings happen online through Zoom.

It’s a required step, but it’s not a court hearing. You won’t see a judge.

A bankruptcy trustee will run the meeting and ask you questions under oath. They’ll review the information in your bankruptcy forms.

Most meetings are over in less than 10 minutes. Creditors are allowed to attend, but they almost never do.

Once it’s over, you’ll be one step closer to your debt being wiped out.

Deal With Your Car (if You Have One)

Many people worry they’ll lose their car in bankruptcy. Most filers are able to keep their vehicles.

Whether you can keep yours depends on its value, whether you owe money on it, and how exemptions apply.

Exemptions are bankruptcy laws that protect certain property from being taken. Washington’s vehicle exemption lets you protect up to $15,000 of equity.

Equity is your car’s value minus what you owe on it.

If you own your car outright, you may keep it if equity falls within the $15,000 exemption.

If your car is financed, you have options:

• If you’re current on payments, you can reaffirm the loan
• If you’re behind on payments, you might surrender the car
• You might be able to redeem the car by paying its value in one lump sum

If you’re leasing a car, you can keep the lease or return the car.

Washington Bankruptcy Means Test

To qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Washington, you’ll need to pass the means test. Eligibility is based on your income.

The means test has two parts. Many people only need to do the first part.

First, you compare your income to Washington’s median income. If your average monthly income is below the median for your household size, you qualify to file Chapter 7.

Washington Median Income Standards for 2025

Compare your household income to these median income levels. Income is calculated based on the past six months.

Washington Fee Waiver Eligibility for 2025

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

For a household of one: $1,882.50 per month

For a household of two: $2,555.00 per month

For a household of three: $3,227.50 per month

For a household of four: $3,900.00 per month

Washington Districts & Filing Requirements

Washington is divided into two bankruptcy districts: Eastern and Western. The rules for filing are similar across both.

Each district has its own requirements around submitting forms and paying court fees.

Find Your Bankruptcy District

Eastern District of Washington includes: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima

Western District of Washington includes: Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom

Eastern District of Washington Filing Requirements

You can file your bankruptcy documents in person, by mail, or online using the court’s Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) system.

Mailing address:
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
P.O. Box 2164
Spokane, WA 99210-2164

In-person filing locations:

• Thomas S. Foley U.S. Courthouse
  920 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 304
  Spokane, WA 99201
• William O. Douglas U.S. Courthouse
  25 South 3rd Street, Room 201
  Yakima, WA 98901

Online filing option: Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) is a free online tool. It walks you through each step and gives you up to 45 days to complete your petition.

After submitting your electronic packet, the court will email confirmation with instructions. Your case won’t officially begin until the court receives all required documents.

Eastern District Additional Requirements and Filing Fee Information

Most forms are standard federal bankruptcy forms. The court has a few local requirements to keep in mind.

One of the biggest is how you format your creditor matrix. That’s a list of names and mailing addresses of everyone you owe money.

The Eastern District requires this list to follow a specific format.

You can find formatting instructions and local forms on the Eastern District’s Local Forms page.

In the Eastern District, there are options for paying the $338 filing fee:

• Online via Pay.gov using a debit card, PayPal, or bank account
• By mail with a money order or cashier’s check made payable to Clerk, United States Court

The court doesn’t accept cash, personal checks, or credit cards.

If you can’t afford the full filing fee up front, you can apply to pay in up to four installments. The first payment of $75 is due when you file your petition.

Western District of Washington Filing Requirements

You can file your bankruptcy documents in person, by mail, or online using the court’s Electronic Filing option.

In person or by mail (Seattle):
United States Bankruptcy Court
700 Stewart Street, Suite 6301
Seattle, WA 98101

In person or by mail (Tacoma):
United States Bankruptcy Court
1717 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2100
Tacoma, WA 98402

Online filing option: Electronic Filing is available to submit documents through the court’s online submission tool. You’re allowed up to five submissions per day.

Submissions are typically processed within 24 hours or the next business day. New cases may take additional time to receive a case number.

Western District Additional Requirements and Filing Fee Information

Most forms are standard federal bankruptcy forms. The Western District offers a helpful Chapter 7 Forms Packet with all required national forms.

You’ll also need to submit a creditor mailing list with names and addresses of everyone you owe money. The list has to follow the court’s formatting rules.

In the Western District, there are options for paying the $338 filing fee:

• Online via Pay.gov using a debit card, PayPal, or bank account
• By mail or in person at the Seattle or Tacoma courthouse with a money order or cashier’s check

The court doesn’t accept cash, personal checks, or credit cards.

If you can’t afford the full fee up front, you can apply to pay in up to four installments. The first payment of $100 is due when you file your petition.

Washington Bankruptcy Exemptions

Bankruptcy exemptions let you protect property like your home, car, and personal belongings. In Washington, you can choose to use either state exemptions or federal bankruptcy exemptions.

You can’t mix and match.

Most filers find that Washington’s state exemptions offer stronger protection. They’re especially good for homes, vehicles, and personal property.

Here’s how key exemptions compare:

• Homestead exemption: Washington’s exemption adjusts based on local median home values in your county. It’s generally far more generous than the federal homestead exemption, which caps at $31,575.
• Motor vehicle exemption: Washington filers can protect up to $15,000 in car equity. The federal exemption only covers up to $5,025.
• Wildcard exemption: Washington lets you exempt up to $10,000 of personal property, with limits on cash and bank accounts. The federal wildcard combines $1,675 plus up to $15,800 of any unused homestead exemption.

Washington Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost

Bankruptcy attorneys usually charge a flat fee for Chapter 7 cases. In Washington, that fee typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000.

The cost depends on how complex your case is.

An attorney can be worth the cost, especially if you own a home or have valuable assets. Speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to understand your options.

Washington Legal Aid Organizations

Legal aid organizations in Washington offer free or low-cost help with bankruptcy cases. These groups serve people who qualify based on income.

They can be a great option if you’re filing Chapter 7 on your own but want extra support.