Lucas Ruffing Law

Bankruptcy Blog

Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: Are you stuck once you file?

Simple answer: No, you’re not stuck!

If you filed chapter 13 bankruptcy and embarked on the 3-5 year repayment plan… What happens if your situation changes? Can you convert to chapter 7? Can you voluntarily dismiss your own case? Or are you stuck in the chapter 13 for the entire time?

  • People’s circumstances change all the time, and the bankruptcy court facilitates those changes. If your income decreases, there are often choices to decrease your chapter 13 payment, etc.

  • If you later qualify for a chapter 7 (and if it otherwise makes sense with your situation), you are also permitted to convert your chapter 13 to a chapter 7 bankruptcy (see Title 11 USC Section 1307(a))

  • If you no longer want to participate in the process, you have the right to dismiss your own case (see Title 11 USC Section 1307(b))

Ultimately, chapter 13 bankruptcies are designed to be helpful, and there are many rules that help the process be accommodating to your ever-changing situation.

For a free consultation to review your options, call/text 740-815-1114. I’m here to help!

Thanks,

Lucas Ruffing
Attorney
740-815-1114 (call/text)
LucasRuffingLaw@gmail.com (email)

Lucas Ruffing