Bankruptcy Re-Filing Eligibility Tool
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Filing Goal
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Prior Cases
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Review
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Results

What type of bankruptcy do you want to file?

Select the chapter you are considering. The waiting period rules are different depending on whether you want to file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.

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Chapter 7

Liquidation bankruptcy — most debts are fully eliminated within 3 to 6 months. A means test is required to qualify.

13

Chapter 13

Repayment plan over 3 to 5 years — lets you keep your home and other property while catching up on what you owe.

Defaults to today. You can change this to a future date if you are planning ahead.

Have You Filed Bankruptcy Before?

The law limits how soon you can file again and receive a discharge. We need to know about any previous bankruptcy cases you have filed.

📋 What counts as a "prior case"?
  • Any time you previously filed a bankruptcy petition in federal bankruptcy court
  • Includes cases that were fully completed and you received a discharge
  • Includes cases that were dismissed or closed before you finished
  • Includes cases filed under any chapter — Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13
  • Includes cases filed jointly with a spouse

If you have never filed bankruptcy before, select "No Prior Filings" below.

🔍 How do I find my prior case information?

You will need the chapter filed and filing date for each prior case. Here are three ways to find that information:

  1. Check your paperwork — Look for a "Notice of Bankruptcy Case Filing" or your bankruptcy petition. The chapter and filing date appear at the top of these documents.
  2. Search PACER (free) — Go to pacer.gov, create a free account, and search by your name and state. Your full case history will be listed, including the chapter, filing date, and whether a discharge was entered.
  3. Call the bankruptcy court clerk — The clerk's office for the federal district where you filed can look up your case by name at no charge. A quick online search for "[your state] bankruptcy court clerk" will give you the phone number.
  4. Contact your prior attorney — If you had legal representation, they will have your complete case records on file.

Review Your Information

Please look over the details below to make sure everything is correct before we calculate your eligibility.