If you have filed bankruptcy in the past and find yourself in need to file bankruptcy again, there are certain time limits between bankruptcy filings. The time limits will depend on which chapter you filed previously, as well as if you received a discharge and when you received it.
Previous Chapter 7
If your previous case was a chapter 7, you cannot receive a discharge in a subsequent chapter 7 case for eight (8) years.
If your previous case was a chapter 7, you also cannot receive a discharge under chapter 13 until four (4) years have passed from the date you filed chapter 7.
Previous Chapter 13
If you filed for chapter 13 previously, you cannot receive a discharge under chapter 7 within six (6) years of filing the chapter 13. There are however, exceptions to this 6 year rule. In your previous chapter 13 if you paid all your unsecured claims at 100% or if you paid at least 70% and the plan was proposed in good faith and it was your best effort, the rule does not apply.
If your previous case was a chapter 13 you cannot receive a second discharge in a subsequent chapter 13 for two (2) years from the date the first case was filed.
| Previous Case | Current Case | Time Limit |
| Chapter 7 | Chapter 7 | 8 years from date previous case was filed |
| Chapter 13 | Chapter 7 | 6 years from date previous case was filed* |
| Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | 4 years from date previous case was filed |
| Chapter 13 | Chapter 13 | 2 years from date previous case was filed |
* With the exceptions for cases that paid 100% or at least 70% to unsecured creditors and the plan was proposed in good faith and was the Debtor’s best effort.
Filing for chapter 13 even though not eligible for a discharge
Even though you may not be entitled to a discharge sometimes a Debtor will file for chapter 7 and then turn around to file chapter 13. This is often referred to as a “Chapter 20”. The advantage here is that any unsecured debt would have been wiped out in the previous chapter 7 case, and now the Debtor can use the chapter 13 plan payment to pay off a mortgage arrearage or tax debt.
If you are considering refilling for bankruptcy, contact the experienced attorneys at Fears | Nachawati with any questions or to set up a free consultation. Call us at 1.866.705.7584 or send an email to fears@fnlawfirm.com.