The United States bankruptcy code permits legally married couples to participate in special joint filings. Joint filings by husband and wife are in reality two bankruptcy cases which are administered as a single case for the sake of judicial economy. 

Because husband and wife file a single bankruptcy case pursuant to these rules, only one filing fee is paid to the Clerk.  These days, considering the fact that the filing fee for a Chapter 7 case is $299 and for Chapter 13 is $274, this results in signficant savings.  In addition, A bankruptcy attorney will charge a single legal fee to jointly filing spouses since the joint administration of the cases usually results in economized case handling.

Married couples should consider a joint filing when most debts are jointly held between them.  This frequently happens in the case of credit card debts, mortgage loans and motor vehicle loans. 

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