BANKRUPTCY UPDATES

• Taking Your Credit Score from Bankrupt to Perfect 10 (May 21, 2012)
• Music Storage Website MP3Tunes.com Seeks Bankruptcy Protection (May 22, 2012)
• Book Publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Files for Bankruptcy (May 17, 2012)
• Las Vegas Tycoon Lists $500 Million in Debts in Bankruptcy Filing (May 15, 2012)
• Nassau Broadcasting Sells its Assets in Bankruptcy Court (May 22, 2012)

How Long Does Bankruptcy Take?

Bankruptcy is generally a relatively swift process, as some chapters may provide debt relief within just a few months. The duration of a bankruptcy case, though, depends on which chapter you file.

Chapter 7, the most common type of personal bankruptcy, typically takes a few months, while Chapter 13 generally lasts three to five years. While time is important, there are several other factors that should help guide your bankruptcy decision.

Both types of bankruptcy come with immediate protections that begin when your petition is filed with the courts, and typically last for the duration of the case. So while the length of a bankruptcy may depend on the type filed (and other factors), some benefits of bankruptcy may be available immediately.

How Long Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Take?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which is typically used by people in debt who have limited income, usually takes between four and six months. In brief, here's how these few months are spent:

• First, filers give the bankruptcy court a detailed petition that lists, among other things, their debts, their assets, and the names of their creditors.
• Shortly after the petition is filed, the filer goes to a meeting with the bankruptcy trustee.
• Unless there are complications, or creditor objections, the discharge process then takes a few months.

During this process, people who file Chapter 7 may be able to eliminate some or all of their unsecured debts, including credit card bills, medical debt, and personal and payday loans.

Bankruptcy courts take reasonable efforts to ensure that the process goes relatively quickly, as it is in the best interests of the debtor and the court to solve the debt issues in a swift fashion.

How Long Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Take?

In contrast, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is designed to take a bit longer, but this chapter may offer unique, long-lasting debt relief. The typical Chapter 13 case takes between 36 and 60 months, or three to five years.

Chapter 13 is commonly referred to as the "wage-earner's plan" because it provides debt relief for working Americans. Here's how these three to five years are filled:

• First, like in Chapter 7, the filer gives a detailed petition to the bankruptcy court. A bankruptcy lawyer often helps draft these documents.
• Next, the filer meets with the bankruptcy trustee to create a reorganized debt payment plan. This process often consolidates a filer's debts into a more reasonable payment schedule based on disposable monthly income.
• Once the reorganized plan is settled, the filer begins making monthly payments for a period of three to five years.

At the end of this repayment period, many filers find that they have settled their debts, and are able to move forward with a clean financial slate.

In addition, if Chapter 13 filers make regular payments on their plan, their efforts may be rewarded by the discharge of other unsecured debts, though this depends on filers' unique circumstances.

To learn more about how long your bankruptcy may take, connect with a local bankruptcy lawyer today.

For a free consultation with a lawyer in your area to discuss these factors, simply fill out the brief form below.