Financial Law

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Calculator

Estimate if you pass the bankruptcy means test for Chapter 7 or if you must file a Chapter 13 repayment plan based on your income and debts.

Free to Use No Data Stored Updated April 2026

Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Calculator

Fill in the fields below to get your estimate

$
$
Rent/Mortgage, food, utilities, transport, taxes.
$
Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans.

Understanding the Two Main Types of Consumer Bankruptcy

Chapter 7

Total wipeout of qualifying unsecured debts. Available only if your household income falls below a certain threshold (the Means Test). It is fast and you usually keep basic assets, but you permanently lose non-exempt luxury property.

Chapter 13

A 3-5 year court-mandated repayment plan. Required if you make too much money for Ch. 7. It can stop home foreclosure and let you catch up on missed mortgage payments over time.

Important Legal Disclaimer

This calculator uses rough national averages to estimate the Means Test. The actual IRS standards for allowable expenses and state median incomes are updated twice a year and are incredibly complex. Speak to a bankruptcy attorney before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The means test determines if your income is low enough for you to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy (which wipes out unsecured debt). If your income is higher than your state's median for your family size, you may be forced to file Chapter 13 and repay some of your debts.

Often called "liquidation" bankruptcy, Chapter 7 discharges (wipes out) most unsecured debts like credit cards and medical bills entirely. You do not repay the wiped-out debt. It is generally faster (3-6 months).

Chapter 13 is a "reorganization" bankruptcy. You propose a 3 to 5-year repayment plan to pay back all or a portion of your debts based on your disposable income. Whatever unsecured debt remains after the plan is completed is discharged.