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Person standing at a fork in the road, symbolizing the choice between chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy options.

Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Decision Tool

Use our free chapter 7 vs chapter 13 tool to get an idea of which chapter might best fit your unique financial situation. This is a free educational tool for the public and does not require any contact information, like an email or phone number. Please note that your results are an educational estimate, not binding legal advice.

Portrait of attorney Casey Yontz, bankruptcy lawyer
Written by Casey Yontz, JD, Bankruptcy Legal Content Editor
Legally reviewed by Benjamin Wright, Bankruptcy Attorney (18+ years experience)
Last reviewed on
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The chapter 7 vs chapter 13 bankruptcy decision tool below was built by attorney Casey Yontz, based on over 18 years of experience guiding people through both liquidation and repayment bankruptcy pathways.

How to Use the Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Decision Tool

Choosing the right bankruptcy chapter is rarely as simple as just looking at your income. This interactive tool walks you through the three major criteria bankruptcy attorneys evaluate during a consultation:

  • 1. Identify Your Primary Goals: Are you trying to quickly discharge unsecured debt (like credit cards), or do you need time to catch up on missed mortgage payments?
  • 2. Evaluate Asset Risk: Do you own valuable property with nonexempt equity that might be at risk in a Chapter 7?
  • 3. Review Income Constraints: Does your household income pass the Chapter 7 means test, or do you have enough regular income to fund a Chapter 13 repayment plan?

At the end, the tool produces a customized educational suggestion based on how your answers overlap. We've made it so that you can easily generate a PDF of your results. You can save and print them for your records, or bring them with you to a consultation with a local bankruptcy attorney.

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Decision Tool

Answer a few questions to get an educational estimate of which bankruptcy chapter may fit your situation.

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Decision Tool logo

Step 1 of 2

Window 1 of 2: Income Snapshot

ZIP lookup is optional and used as a quick state check.

For a more detailed breakdown of the legal and procedural differences between chapter 7 and chapter 13, please review our comprehensive guide on chapter 7 vs chapter 13.

US Bankruptcy Help is an educational publisher, not a law firm. This page provides general information, not legal advice.

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