Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know – NerdWallet

Key takeaways

Bankruptcy is a legal tool to help consumers and businesses resolve overwhelming debt. Its a complicated process thats best taken on with the assistance of an attorney.

Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the two most common types of bankruptcy for consumers, while Chapter 11 is typically used for businesses.

Bankruptcy may make sense if your total non-mortgage debt exceeds 40% of your income and your path to pay it down is unclear.

Bankruptcy will hurt your credit and stay with you for years, but you can begin to restore your score in as little as a few months.

What is bankruptcy?

Bankruptcy is a legal process that can provide relief for people struggling to repay debts. Depending on the type of bankruptcy thats filed, consumers can wipe out some amount of unsecured debt or enter a repayment plan with better payment terms.

A bankruptcy filing stops debt collection calls, debt lawsuits and wage garnishment. The process is complicated and hiring an attorney is advisable, but youre likely to see some parts of your finances improve within six months of filing. Note that some debts, like student loans, recent taxes and child support, generally can't be wiped out in bankruptcy.

What are the types of bankruptcy?

The two most common kinds of consumer bankruptcy are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is typically used by businesses.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Known as liquidation since most unsecured debts are forgiven, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the fastest and most common form of bankruptcy.

Best for: Consumers who have primarily unsecured debt, such as medical bills, credit card debt or personal loans.

You must pass the means test, which determines whether you qualify to file Chapter 7.

Cannot have filed a bankruptcy petition in the previous 180 days that was dismissed because you failed to appear in court or comply with court orders, or you voluntarily dismissed your own filing because creditors sought court relief to recover property they had a lien on.

Chapter 13 bankruptcy

Known as a wage earners bankruptcy, Chapter 13 bankruptcy restructures debts into a payment plan over three to five years.

Best for: Those who have assets they want to retain, like expensive jewelry, or secured debts they want to get current on, like a mortgage.

You must have regular income.

Must be current on tax filings.

You cannot have filed for Chapter 13 in the past two years or Chapter 7 in the past four years.

You cannot have filed a bankruptcy petition in the previous 180 days that was dismissed for certain reasons, such as failing to appear in court or comply with court orders.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Called a reorganization bankruptcy, this chapter is typically used by corporations and businesses.

Best for: Businesses that want to keep operating.

Cannot have filed a bankruptcy petition in the previous 180 days that was dismissed because you failed to appear in court or comply with court orders, or you voluntarily dismissed your own filing because creditors sought court relief to recover property they had a lien on.

Is bankruptcy right for you?

Filing for bankruptcy is never an easy decision, and youll have to weigh the pros and cons of the long-term effects on your debt and credit. But in general, bankruptcy may be the best option if:

You see no way to pay off your debts within five years.

Your amount of debt (excluding a mortgage) is greater than 40% of your income.

Youre paying as much as you can toward your debts but not making progress.

Debt payments are preventing you from meeting other financial goals, such as saving for retirement.

If youre considering bankruptcy, get free consultations from a bankruptcy attorney and a nonprofit credit counselor to better understand your financial situation and whether bankruptcy is the best option.

Do you need a bankruptcy attorney?

Bankruptcy is a long and complicated process. One form improperly filled out could result in the dismissal of your case, which means you would have to wait six months to file again. Find a bankruptcy attorney to help you navigate the process and ensure your paperwork is properly filled out.

A word of caution if youre thinking of filing without an attorney: Bankruptcy data shows that only 1.4% of Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases filed without an attorney in 2012 received a discharge, meaning the cases were closed and the eligible debts were forgiven, according to the Federal Judicial Center.

Of Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases filed with an attorney in 2012, 95% were resolved successfully, compared with two-thirds of cases filed without an attorney, according to the center's data.

Many bankruptcy attorneys will want payment before filing, but you have options to help pay for bankruptcy.

How long does bankruptcy stay on your credit report?

But there is a bright spot: Your credit can start to improve within months of filing, and the change may be especially marked if you were already delinquent on your debts.

A 2014 report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia found that those who filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy saw their scores improve from an average of 538 to an average of 620 on a 300-850 scale by the time their case was discharged, which is usually within six months.

What are alternatives to bankruptcy?

Depending on the kind and amount of debt you have, you may have other debt relief options that could help resolve your debt.

Use this calculator to explore your debt relief options, such as a debt management plan from a nonprofit credit counseling agency, do-it-yourself methods and consolidation.

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Bankruptcy: What You Need to Know - NerdWallet