How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Texas: Complete 2025 Guide
Filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Texas without an attorney is possible and can be done for free with fee waivers. The process involves gathering documents, taking required courses, filing forms with your district court, and attending a trustee meeting. Most cases are completed in 3-4 months, resulting in a discharge that eliminates eligible debts.
Get Free ConsultationFiling Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Texas can give you a fresh start. You don’t need to hire a lawyer to do it. Many Texans with simple cases file successfully on their own. A bankruptcy attorney can help walk you through each step for free.
Bankruptcy has helped millions of people find their way out of debt. Thousands of people each year file Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Texas without hiring a lawyer. You may even be able to file for free using fee waivers.
Qualify for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy in Texas?
Find out if you qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in your Texas district. Get a free consultation with a bankruptcy attorney who can evaluate your income, debts, and exemptions to help you eliminate debt legally.
Check Eligibility NowHow To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy for Free in Texas
The process involves several key steps. You’ll need to gather documents, take required courses, and file your case. The entire process takes about 3-4 months from start to finish.
Collect Your Texas Bankruptcy Documents
First, gather certain documents to prepare your case. The bankruptcy court and trustee require these items.
Required documents include:
- Paystubs showing gross pay, deductions, and take-home pay for the past 60 days
- A recent bank statement
- Tax returns for the past two years
Helpful additional documents:
- Bills, collection letters, and account statements from creditors
- Bank statements for all checking and savings accounts (up to six months)
- Pay stubs for up to six months
- Recent credit report from TransUnion, Experian, or Equifax
You’ll use these documents to fill out bankruptcy forms accurately. The forms ask about your income, expenses, debts, and assets. They give the bankruptcy court a picture of your financial situation.
Take a Credit Counseling Course
You must complete a credit counseling course from a state-approved provider.
Take this course within 180 days (six months) before filing your case. The course explains your debt relief options. It helps you decide which solution is best.
Most providers offer the course online, by phone, or both. Some providers offer in-person options as well.
The course usually costs $10 to $50. You can apply for a course fee waiver if needed. Many filers qualify based on their income.
When you finish the course, you’ll get a certificate. File this certificate with the court along with your bankruptcy forms.
Complete the Bankruptcy Forms
Bankruptcy requires many forms. You can download free fillable PDFs from the U.S. Courts website. The court website also has an official instruction guide.
If you’re working with a bankruptcy attorney, you’ll fill out a detailed questionnaire. Your lawyer’s office will use the information to complete your forms.
Get Your Filing Fee
The filing fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is $338. Many Chapter 7 filers qualify for a fee waiver though. Submit the fee waiver application when you file your paperwork.
Fee waiver eligibility is based on income. Check the Texas Fee Waiver Eligibility table below to see if you qualify.
If you’re in a rush, apply to pay the fee in installments. You might need to file quickly if facing wage garnishment or car repossession. The automatic stay begins as soon as you file. It protects your bank accounts and property from debt collectors.
Be careful: Missing a payment can cause the court to dismiss your case. Many people save up the full fee before filing.
Print Your Bankruptcy Forms
Print your completed forms on regular letter-size (8.5 by 11 inches) white paper. Sign your forms using blue or black ink everywhere a signature is required.
Don’t print double-sided, use colored ink, or staple any forms together.
File Your Forms With the Texas Bankruptcy Court
Filing your forms at the courthouse is a big step. You’ll need to know which court handles your case. You’ll also need to know how you’re allowed to file.
Texas has four different districts. Every district allows in-person filing at the courthouse. We cover additional filing options by district later in this article.
Mail Documents to Your Trustee
After you file your case, the court assigns it to a bankruptcy trustee. The trustee reviews your forms to verify accuracy and completeness.
If you file in person, the clerk gives you a notice with your trustee’s information. If you file by mail, the court mails this notice to you.
The trustee requires these documents:
- Bank statement that includes the date you filed your case
- Pay stubs for the 60 days before you filed
- Your two most recently filed federal tax returns
Send these documents at least seven days before your 341 meeting. Some trustees request additional documents. Follow the trustee’s instructions or your case can be delayed.
Take the Required Debtor Education Course
After filing your case, take a second required class. The debtor education course teaches basic money management. You can make the most of your fresh start.
Take the course from a state-approved provider. Most providers offer the course by phone or online.
Complete the course within 60 days of your 341 meeting. Most people do it right after filing.
After completing the course, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. The court needs a copy. Some providers file it for you. Others require you to file it yourself.
Attend Your 341 Meeting
You’re close to the finish line now. First, attend a meeting called the 341 meeting or meeting of creditors. The meeting is overseen by your trustee, not a judge. It won’t take place in a courtroom.
Most meetings are held virtually these days. You’ll receive a notice with your meeting’s date, time, and location.
At your 341 meeting, you’ll meet with your trustee. You’ll confirm your identity and take an oath. The trustee can clear up any questions about your case.
Creditors are allowed to attend, but they rarely do.
Bring a valid photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. The trustee uses it to verify your identity. Bring a copy of your bankruptcy forms in case of questions.
341 meetings in Chapter 7 cases usually take less than 10 minutes. You may have to wait for your case to be called. After the meeting, the court usually grants your discharge within 60-90 days.
Deal With Your Car
In many places in Texas, a car or truck is essential. You have options to keep your vehicle even if you file bankruptcy.
If you have a loan and want to keep the car, you can reaffirm the loan or redeem it. Here’s what each means:
- Reaffirming the loan means you keep paying as usual. You usually must be current with your payments. Many lenders require you to sign a reaffirmation agreement.
- Redeeming the loan means you pay the lender the fair market value in one lump sum. After you do, you own the car free and clear. Redemption helps if you’re underwater on the loan.
If you own the car free and clear, check your car’s current fair market value. Sites like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds can help. See if this amount is covered by Texas’s personal property exemption.
Texas offers a generous $50,000 exemption for all personal property. Your vehicle is included in this exemption.
Texas Bankruptcy Means Test
Not everyone can file for bankruptcy. You have to meet certain income requirements.
You’ll use something called a means test to qualify. The court wants to see if you have the means to repay debt.
If you make less than the median income for your household size in Texas, you pass. You qualify to file Chapter 7.
If you make too much money for Chapter 7, you may qualify for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Chapter 13 allows you to repay debts over 3-5 years. You can catch up on secured debts like a mortgage or car loan.
Median Income Levels for Texas
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Contact a bankruptcy attorney for current median income levels in your area. | ||
Fee Waiver Eligibility for Texas
You’re eligible for a fee waiver when your income is under 150% of the poverty level.
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee 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 |
Texas Districts & Filing Requirements
Texas has four federal judicial districts. Each has its own bankruptcy court system. The county you live in determines which district handles your case. Each district has its own local rules and requirements.
Eastern District of Texas Requirements
The Eastern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court serves 43 counties. The district is divided into six divisions: Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall, Sherman, Tyler, and Texarkana.
The court has three primary locations:
- Beaumont (serves Beaumont and Lufkin divisions)
- Plano (serves Sherman and Texarkana divisions)
- Tyler (serves Marshall and Tyler divisions)
Local Rules: Eastern District
Notable requirements include:
- List creditors in alphabetical order on Schedules D and E/F
- Send a copy of your valid photo ID, enlarged to 150%, to your trustee
- Create a creditor matrix using the court’s specific formatting requirements
- Complete and sign a Verification of Matrix form
Additional requirements:
- Filing methods: Online, in person, or by mail. The preferred method is the Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) portal.
- Installment payments: Submit at least $75 when you file.
- Payment methods: Cashier’s checks, money orders, or cash payable to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.”
Northern District of Texas Requirements
The Northern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court serves 100 counties. The district is divided into seven divisions: Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, San Angelo, and Wichita Falls.
The court has four primary locations:
- Amarillo (serves Amarillo Division)
- Dallas (serves Dallas and Wichita Falls divisions)
- Fort Worth (serves Fort Worth Division)
- Lubbock (serves Abilene, Lubbock, and San Angelo divisions)
Local Rules: Northern District
Notable requirements include:
- Bring your Social Security card and Texas-issued photo ID when filing
- Create a creditor matrix using the court’s specific formatting
- Complete and sign a Verification of Matrix form
Additional requirements:
- Filing methods: In person or by mail
- Installment payments: Submit at least $50 when you file. Complete all payments within three months.
- Payment methods: Cashier’s checks, money orders, or cash payable to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.”
Southern District of Texas Requirements
The Southern District of Texas Bankruptcy Court serves 43 counties. The district is divided into seven divisions: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Houston, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
Local Rules: Southern District
Notable requirements include:
- List creditors in alphabetical order on Schedules D and E/F
- Bring a valid photo ID when filing
- Send bank statements for the 60 days before filing to your trustee
- Send documents to your trustee at least 10 days before your 341 meeting
- Create a creditor matrix using the court’s specific formatting
Additional requirements:
- Filing methods: In person or by mail
- Installment payments: No minimum payment specified at filing
- Payment methods: Cashier’s checks, money orders, or cash payable to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.”
Western District of Texas Requirements
The Western District of Texas Bankruptcy Court serves 68 counties. The district is divided into five divisions: Austin, El Paso, Midland, San Antonio, and Waco.
The court has staffed locations in each division except Midland. Midland cases are handled at the Austin office.
Local Rules: Western District
Notable requirements include:
- Bring (or mail) one original and one copy of your forms
- Complete a Pro Se Questionnaire and file it with your forms
- Create a creditor matrix using the court’s specific formatting
- Complete and sign a Verification of Matrix form
Additional requirements:
- Filing methods: In person or by mail
- Installment payments: Pay at least 50% ($169) within seven days after filing
- Payment methods: Cashier’s checks or money orders payable to “Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court.” The San Antonio division accepts cash (exact change required).
Texas Bankruptcy Exemptions
In bankruptcy, you use exemptions to protect your property. If property is exempt, the trustee can’t sell it to pay debts.
Exemptions help protect everything from your car and home to your retirement accounts.
If you’ve lived in Texas for at least two years, choose either federal exemptions or Texas state exemptions.
If you’ve lived in Texas for less than two years, you must use federal exemptions.
Should You Use State or Federal Exemptions?
Most filers choose whichever set best protects their most important property. You must choose one set or the other. You can’t mix and match.
Here’s a quick comparison of popular exemptions:
| Texas Exemption | Federal Exemption | |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead | Unlimited; up to 10 acres in cities; up to 100 acres in rural areas | $31,575 |
| Motor Vehicle | Unlimited (subject to $50,000 personal property cap) | $5,025 |
| Household Goods | Aggregate of $50,000 for all personal property | $16,850 aggregate; up to $800 per item |
| Wildcard | N/A | $1,675 plus up to $15,800 of unused homestead exemption |
Texas Bankruptcy Lawyer Cost
You don’t have to hire an attorney to file Chapter 7 successfully in Texas. Sometimes an attorney can be helpful though. Attorneys are especially useful if you own a home. They can help you decide whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 fits better.
Many Texans successfully eliminate debt without paying thousands in attorney fees. If you want professional guidance, you can speak with a bankruptcy attorney for free to discuss your options.
Texas Legal Aid Organizations
If you don’t feel confident about navigating bankruptcy on your own, a Texas legal aid program may help. You might not be able to afford a bankruptcy attorney. Legal aid organizations are located throughout Texas. They typically provide low-cost or free legal services to qualified Texans.