Cost is one of the first questions debtors ask. Many firms quote figures of 80,000 to 200,000 roubles, which can be alarming. Here is what actually goes into the price and what each stage genuinely costs.
Out-of-Court Bankruptcy Through the MFC: Free
If you qualify for the out-of-court procedure (debt between 25,000 and 1,000,000 roubles, no seizable assets), it is completely free — no state duty, no trustee fee, no publication costs. For details see our article on out-of-court bankruptcy through the MFC.
Court Bankruptcy: Mandatory Costs
These costs are borne by the debtor regardless of whether a lawyer is hired.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| State duty (debtor filing their own petition) | not charged |
| Trustee fee deposit | 25,000 roubles |
| Publication in Kommersant newspaper | ~11,000 roubles |
| Publications in Fedresurs (2–4 notices) | ~1,500–3,000 roubles |
| Postage | ~2,000–5,000 roubles |
| Total mandatory costs | ~40,000–45,000 roubles |
Financial Trustee’s Fee
On top of the 25,000-rouble deposit, the trustee receives 7% of the proceeds from asset sales. If there are no assets, only the fixed 25,000 roubles is paid.
Legal Assistance Costs
The law does not require hiring a lawyer — bankruptcy can theoretically be handled alone. In practice most debtors use specialists, as the procedure demands legal knowledge.
What a bankruptcy lawyer’s services include:
- situation analysis and risk assessment;
- preparation of the petition and full document package;
- coordination with the financial trustee;
- court representation;
- defence against creditors’ attempts to challenge transactions.
Market price ranges in 2026:
| Service format | Cost |
|---|---|
| Document preparation only (no ongoing support) | 15,000–30,000 roubles |
| Full turnkey support | 60,000–150,000 roubles |
| Premium support (large debt, assets involved) | from 150,000 roubles |
Total Cost of Bankruptcy
| Situation | Approximate total |
|---|---|
| No assets, no lawyer | 40,000–45,000 roubles |
| No assets, full legal support | 100,000–190,000 roubles |
| Assets present, full legal support | from 120,000 roubles + 7% of proceeds |
Where You Can Save Money
Gather documents yourself. The document list is standard — many certificates are free through Gosuslugi. This reduces the legal fee.
Choose the out-of-court route. If you qualify, the MFC procedure costs nothing at all.
Avoid intermediaries. Many companies charge extra for “finding a trustee” or “guaranteeing debt discharge.” These are not legitimate add-on services — the trustee’s SRO is named by the debtor in the petition itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can court bankruptcy be free? When the debtor files their own petition, no state duty is charged. The mandatory minimum is around 39,500–44,000 roubles (trustee deposit + publications + postage). The court may grant an instalment plan for the deposit in exceptional cases.
What happens if there are insufficient funds to continue the procedure? If there are no funds to continue the procedure and creditors are unwilling to contribute, the court will terminate the case without discharging any debts.
Are bankruptcy costs added to the debt? No. Court costs and the trustee’s fee are current payments settled first from the bankruptcy estate — they are not added to the outstanding debt.
Is it legal for a lawyer to guarantee debt discharge? No lawyer can legally guarantee the outcome of a court case. Such promises are a marketing tactic. A trustworthy firm promises quality work — not a specific result.
See Also
- Out-of-Court Bankruptcy via the MFC: Who Can Apply
- Court vs Out-of-Court Bankruptcy: What Is the Difference
Want to know what bankruptcy will cost in your specific situation? Submit a request — a Veritas lawyer will calculate the cost for free and suggest the most efficient route.