How To File Bankruptcy for Free in Maryland
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If you're dealing with debt that feels impossible to get out from under, Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the fresh start you need. It can erase eligible debts like credit cards, medical bills, and payday loans — and many Marylanders file without a lawyer or any filing costs. This guide covers everything you need to know to file in Maryland.
Written by Attorney Andrea Wimmer.
Updated November 4, 2026
5 Steps To File Chapter 7 in Maryland
If you're feeling overwhelmed by bills, collection calls, or the stress of making ends meet, you're not alone. Many people turn to bankruptcy when they've tried everything else and still can't get ahead.
Filing Chapter 7 in Maryland involves a few steps — gathering your financial documents, completing two short courses, filing your paperwork, and attending a brief meeting with a trustee. Many people with simple cases file successfully without a lawyer. This guide walks you through each step so you know exactly what to expect.
Step 1: See If You Qualify
Chapter 7 has income limits, but most people who need it meet them. If your income is below Maryland’s median for a household your size, you'll likely pass the means test and qualify to file.
Upsolve’s free filing tool is not currently available in Maryland, but Upsolve can connect you with a local attorney for a free consultation to discuss your options.
| Household Size | Monthly Income | Annual Income |
|---|---|---|
| Loading... | ||
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Before you file, you'll need to pull together a few key documents. One of those is a certificate from a short credit counseling course, which you'll complete online. It takes 1–2 hours and costs $10–$50 (fee waivers available).
See the full document checklist →
Step 3: Complete Your Forms and File
The forms you'll fill out are federal, so they're the same across the country. You can find them as free fillable PDFs at uscourts.gov.
In Maryland, you can file your forms by mail or in person. You can also prepare them online with the court's free Electronic Self-Representation (eSR) tool.
Maryland has one bankruptcy court and two filing offices. You can use either office no matter where you live in the state.
📍 Baltimore Garmatz Federal Courthouse 101 West Lombard Street, Suite 8530 Baltimore, MD 21201
📍 Greenbelt U.S. Bankruptcy Court 6500 Cherrywood Lane, Suite 300 Greenbelt, MD 20770
📮 Both courthouses have an after-hours drop box on the first floor. It's available Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight in Baltimore and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Greenbelt.
Filing Fee Information & Fee Waiver Eligibility
There’s a $338 filing fee for Chapter 7. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive the fee when you file your paperwork.
People whose income falls below 150% of the federal poverty level may be eligible. A bankruptcy judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to grant the fee waiver.
| Household Size | State Poverty Level | Fee Waiver Limit (150% PL) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,330.00 | $1,995.00 |
| 2 | $1,803.33 | $2,705.00 |
| 3 | $2,276.67 | $3,415.00 |
| 4 | $2,750.00 | $4,125.00 |
| 5 | $3,223.33 | $4,835.00 |
| 6 | $3,696.67 | $5,545.00 |
| 7 | $4,170.00 | $6,255.00 |
| 8 | $4,643.33 | $6,965.00 |
| 9 | $5,116.67 | $7,675.00 |
| 10 | $5,590.00 | $8,385.00 |
If you don’t qualify for a fee waiver, you’ll need to pay the full filing fee or an installment payment (if approved) when you file your forms.
💰 In Maryland, all filing fee payments go to the Baltimore courthouse. You can pay with a money order or cashier's check made payable to Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Another option is to pay online with a debit card or, if you're paying in person, pay in cash in the exact amount.
❌ The court doesn't accept personal checks or credit cards.
Step 4: Attend Your 341 Meeting
About a month after you file, you'll have a short meeting with your bankruptcy trustee on Zoom. It typically takes about five minutes. The trustee will verify your identity and ask a few basic questions about your paperwork.
Upsolve can help you prep for your 341 meeting →
Step 5: Get Your Discharge
After your 341 meeting, you'll need to take one more short course — a debtor education course on budgeting and managing credit. Once that's done and any follow-up is resolved, the court erases your eligible debts. That's your fresh start, usually within 3–4 months of filing.
What debts does Chapter 7 discharge? →
Maryland Local Forms/Requirements
In addition to the standard federal bankruptcy forms, you'll need to prepare a creditor mailing matrix when you file Chapter 7 in Maryland. This is a list of names and mailing addresses for everyone you owe money to. The court uses it to send official notices about your case.
The court has specific formatting rules for the matrix, and you’ll also need to include a Verification of Creditor Matrix to confirm the list is complete.
✅ Maryland’s Chapter 7 checklist is a helpful way to make sure that you have everything you need to start your case.
💻 If you use the court’s free eSR tool to prepare your Chapter 7 forms, you’ll still need to submit a signed Declaration Regarding Electronic Filing and a Statement About Your Social Security Number. You can do so in person, by mail, by email, or through a courthouse drop box.
🚨 Your case isn't filed, and you won't get a case number or protection from creditors, until the court receives those two forms. Within 14 days after your case is filed, you'll also need to send your filing fee (or a fee waiver or installment application), a copy of your credit counseling certificate, and your Verification of Creditor Matrix. If you don't, the court may dismiss your case.
Free Legal Aid in Maryland
If your case is more complex — or you'd just feel better having an attorney review it — free and low-cost legal help is available across Maryland.
Even if you’re planning to file without a lawyer, you might still have questions. You can speak with a volunteer bankruptcy attorney by scheduling a free consultation through the Debtor Assistance Project.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (410) 547-6537 201 North Charles Street, Suite 1400 Baltimore, MD 21201
Maryland Legal Aid (Baltimore City Office) (410) 951-7777 500 East Lexington Street Baltimore, MD 21202
Maryland Legal Aid (Prince George's County Office) (301) 560-2100 8401 Corporate Drive, Suite 200 Landover, MD 20785
Maryland Legal Aid (Lower Eastern Shore Office) (410) 546-5511 113 Broad Street Salisbury, MD 21801
