Which chapter fits
your situation?
The right chapter depends on your income, assets, and goals. Here's the data — plain and direct.
Chapter 7
Liquidation Bankruptcy
Most unsecured debts — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans — wiped out in under 4 months. Best for those who pass the means test and need a complete reset.
Chapter 13
Reorganization Bankruptcy
Structured 3–5 year repayment plan. The primary tool to stop foreclosure and catch up on a mortgage. Higher income filers who want to keep significant assets often choose this path.
Dischargeable Under Both Chapters
Generally Not Dischargeable
From first call to
federal discharge.
Hover each card to see exactly what happens to creditor contact at every stage. The law works on a precise schedule.
Free Consultation
Review your debts, income, and assets with an attorney. Determine which chapter fits your situation. No obligation.
- →Nothing yet — but they don't know what's coming.
- →You gain clarity on your legal options.
- →Attorney-client privilege protects everything discussed.
Average consultation: 45 minutes
Petition Filed
Your attorney files your bankruptcy petition with the federal district court. A case number is assigned. The clock starts.
- →All collection calls must stop — by law.
- →Wage garnishment ceases immediately.
- →Creditor lawsuits are frozen.
- →Foreclosure proceedings halted.
11 U.S.C. § 362 — violations face court penalties
Automatic Stay
Federal court order protecting you from all creditor contact. Your paycheck is yours again. The phone stops ringing.
- →Collection letters and phone calls
- →Wage garnishments and bank levies
- →New lawsuits or judgments
- →Utility disconnections
- →Repossession attempts
Creditors who violate face fines and damages
Discharge Order
The federal judge signs the discharge order. Qualifying debts are legally eliminated. You owe nothing on discharged accounts.
- →Discharged debts are permanently eliminated.
- →Creditors cannot ever attempt to collect.
- →You are released from personal liability.
- →Fresh start credit rebuild begins day one.
Median Chapter 7: 110 days filing to discharge
The Automatic Stay — your immediate federal shield
The moment your petition is filed, federal law (11 U.S.C. § 362) orders all collection activity to stop. Your paycheck is yours again within one pay cycle. Creditors who call after this date risk court sanctions.
The arithmetic
of relief.
Anonymized case profiles from 2024. Debt in. Zero owed out. Days elapsed. The math is consistent.
Cases are anonymized composites based on 2024 filed cases. Individual outcomes vary. These profiles illustrate the range of situations served, not guaranteed results.
Chapter 7 filers discharged
ABI 2024 Data
The question isn't
whether it works.
96.9% of attorney-represented Chapter 7 filers received a full discharge in 2024. The question is whether you qualify — and that takes 3 minutes to find out.
Start with the
Chapter 7 Checklist.
Know exactly what documents you'll need before your first consultation. Takes 15 minutes to gather. Saves an hour in the attorney's office.
- ☐Last 2 years of federal tax returns
- ☐Last 6 months of pay stubs or income records
- ☐List of all creditors and account numbers
- ☐Bank statements — last 3 months
- ☐Property deed or lease agreement
- ☐Vehicle title(s)
- ⋯+4 more items in full checklist
Download the Full Checklist
10 documents. One organized list. Enter your email and we'll send it immediately — no sales calls attached.
We send one email. The checklist. That's it. Your email is never shared.
What's included:
- →Complete 10-document checklist
- →What exemptions protect your assets
- →Common filing mistakes to avoid
- →Timeline expectations by chapter