Not every debtor qualifies for Chapter 7. In some cases, repaying debt over time in a court-approved Chapter 13 repayment plan provides benefits that are unavailable in Chapter 7. The following is a comparison of Chapter 13 vs Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

For additional articles and resources, see Filing for Chapter 13 and Filing for Chapter 7.

Reasons to File for Chapter 13

It may be more appropriate for a debtor to choose Chapter 13 when the following circumstances are true:

1. You do not qualify for Chapter 7

A debtor must qualify under the “means test” to file for Chapter 7. If the debtor’s income exceeds the median income in their state and they have disposable income to repay some portion of unsecured debt in a Chapter 13 repayment plan, then the debtor does not qualify for Chapter 7.

2. You want to repay debt

In Chapter 13, the debtor will make monthly payments in a three or five-year plan to the bankruptcy trustee for the distribution to creditors. The debtor must have enough disposable income to pay all priority and secured debt in full and to pay unsecured creditors in an amount at least equal to the value of the debtor’s nonexempt property.

3. You want to save your home from foreclosure

Filing for Chapter 13 may permanently stop a foreclosure. An automatic stay will temporarily prevent a foreclosure until the court confirms the debtor’s repayment plan. Once confirmed, the debtor will pay back the missed payments over the life of the plan and the terms and conditions of the original agreement will govern the debtor and the lender’s relationship.

Chapter 13, however, will not prevent foreclosure if the debtor filed for bankruptcy within the past two years and the bankruptcy court lifted the automatic stay to allow the creditor to proceed with foreclosure.

In Chapter 7, it is less likely that a debtor can keep their home if they are behind on their mortgage payments. The court will usually grant a lender’s request to lift an automatic stay in order to continue foreclosure proceedings on the home.

4. You want to stop the repossession of your car

A debtor can stop the repossession of a car by filing for Chapter 13 and by repaying the debt and the arrearage in the plan. It may be harder to keep a car in Chapter 7. If the debtor bought the car at least two years before filing for bankruptcy, the amount owed on the loan may be eligible for reduction under the “cramdown” option, which allows the debtor to pay the amount the car is worth, plus interest, in equal installments over the term of the repayment plan. This is beneficial when the loan is upside down — the debtor owes more on the loan than the property is worth.

5. You want to keep nonexempt property

Under Chapter 7, a trustee will sell a debtor’s nonexempt property to pay creditors with the proceeds. Chapter 13 allows the debtor to keep nonexempt property in exchange for repayment to unsecured creditors in an amount that is at least equal to the value of the nonexempt property that the trustee would have sold in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

6. You have debts that are not dischargeable under Chapter 7

Certain debts will survive a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but are eligible for discharge in Chapter 13. Debts included in this category are:

  • Debts incurred to pay nondischargeable taxes
  • Fees from a condominium, a cooperative, or a homeowners’ association
  • Court fees
  • Marital debts agreed to in a settlement agreement (excludes orders of support)

7. You have a nondischargeable debt that you want to repay over time

Some debts, like student loans (unless discharged by the court because of undue hardship) and certain tax debts, survive Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, in Chapter 13 the debtor can pay off the debt in a repayment plan.

8. You have a codebtor

Chapter 13 will protect codebtors from liability for a joint debt if the creditor receives payment through the repayment plan. If debt remains after the plan ends, the creditor may collect the amount still owed from the codebtor. Conversely, Chapter 7 will eliminate the filer’s personal liability for a debt, but the codebtor will remain responsible.

Reasons to File for Chapter 7

When should you file for Chapter 7 instead of Chapter 13? Chapter 7 bankruptcy is appropriate when the following circumstances apply:

1. You are unable to repay debt in a repayment plan

If a debtor cannot afford to repay creditors for three or five years in a Chapter 13 plan, it may be best to file for Chapter 7 (if qualified).

2. You need quick relief from creditors

It takes as little as three months for a bankruptcy court to issue a discharge order. After discharge, the debtor no longer has personal liability for the discharged debt.

3. Most debt is dischargeable

If most of a filer’s debt is dischargeable, Chapter 7 will free the debtor from personal liability for this debt. Dischargeable debt includes credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans.

Not Sure Whether to File Chapter 13 vs. Chapter 7? An Attorney Can Help

The decision to file for bankruptcy is complicated enough in itself. Choosing the appropriate form of bankruptcy and preparing to file involve many considerations that you might not be aware of until it’s too late.

Learn how an experienced bankruptcy lawyer can help guide you through the process and ensure that your bankruptcy solves your financial problems.