Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

In exchange for debt relief, Chapter 13 filers pay their discretionary income to creditors during a three- to five-year repayment plan. Learn how the Chapter 13 bankruptcy process works.

Learn how long it takes to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, complete the steps outlined, and receive a Chapter 13 discharge.

Follow these tips to ensure successful completion of your Chapter 13 bankruptcy case.

Your credit will likely suffer when you file a Chapter 13 case, but after Chapter 13 bankruptcy, credit scores tend to recover quickly. Also, a Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing will drop from your credit report years before a Chapter 7 case would.

Chapter 13 is ideal for higher-income wage earners and those who want to save a home or vehicle after falling behind on a mortgage or car payment. Learn how much you can expect to pay for legal and court fees and other Chapter 13 filing details.

Although Chapter 13 bankruptcy can be a good option, not everyone meets Chapter 13 requirements. Find out what qualifies you for Chapter 13 and why Chapter 13 eligibility depends on up-to-date tax filings, debt amounts, and the ability to afford plan payments.

You don't have to be employed to file for bankruptcy. But being unemployed can affect the success of your bankruptcy if you file for Chapter 13.

If you are an undocumented immigrant, you can file for bankruptcy if you have a valid Social Security Number or ITIN.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must pay creditors according to priority status. Learn which debts receive full payment in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan and which can be paid less than what's owed.

In order to be confirmed (approved) by the court, your Chapter 13 repayment plan must represent your "best effort" at paying back your nonpriority unsecured creditors.

Learn when you can pay off Chapter 13 early and how much it will cost. It will likely be far more than you'd hoped. Find out how Chapter 13 bankruptcy works and your options for getting out of Chapter 13 early, including qualifying for a hardship discharge, paying everything you owe, or dismissing the case.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must pay some debts in full through your plan; others you pay in part. For instance, you'll continue to pay monthly payments and interest on secured debts. What happens to unsecured debts in Chapter 13 is different. In many instances, you'll pay far less than you owe. Here are the details.

In Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, you may be able to reduce the principle of a secured debt to the value of the collateral secured. Learn how it works.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy provides opportunities for homeowners to delay or prevent foreclosure and pay off back debt on their mortgages.

You might be able to avoid foreclosure by filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Keeping your new house in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy can depend on the accuracy of a Chapter 7 home appraisal. Learn about methods for valuing your home in bankruptcy and the role of bankruptcy appraisals.

Find out when a car loan lender can repossess your car during Chapter 13 bankruptcy and whether you can get it back if the repossession happened before you filed.

What happens to your car, truck, van, motorcycle, or another vehicle if you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Learn how filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help you keep your vehicle from being repossessed.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must pay some debts in full through your plan; others you pay in part. For instance, you'll continue to pay monthly payments and interest on secured debts. What happens to unsecured debts in Chapter 13 is different. In many instances, you'll pay far less than you owe. Here are the details.

After you complete your Chapter 13 plan, some of the remaining debts won't be discharged.

If you receive a tax refund during a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, the Chapter 13 trustee will likely require you to turn that money over to pay your creditors. But exceptions exist.

In Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you are allowed to keep all of your property. However, if you have nonexempt assets, you may be required to pay back more of your unsecured debts through your Chapter 13 plan.