How can I pay for an attorney? An arrangement for period payments can be made with an attorney in a Chapter 13. However, the payment is generally paid to and through the bankruptcy trustee as part of the plan’s payment. There are other things to consider when filing instead of continuing to pay-down debts. One should consider that not paying a significant portion of the indebtedness is in itself the source of the funds that have been freed in order to pay for counsel fees. Further, the savings include the payment of certain debts, which may be paid through the chapter 13 plan without interest. Also, the fees paid—one has up to five years to pay! This will increase your plan payments only marginally.