"How Long Does Chapter 7 Take" Discussion

Upsolve Community Member
A Chapter 7 bankruptcy doesn't involve a payment plan and the discharge is typically entered about 4 months after filing. In a Chapter 13, you have a 3 - 5 year repayment plan to complete before the discharge is granted. 

Upsolve Community Member
Check out these two articles for more!

Upsolve Community Member
https://upsolve.org/learn/how-long-does-chapter-7-take/

Upsolve Community Member
https://upsolve.org/learn/how-long-does-chapter-13-bankruptcy-take/

Upsolve Community Member
If you're asking about Chapter 7 v. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, check out this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrQS1MqXnDw.

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Antoine, How long it takes before filing is largely up to you. https://upsolve.org/learn/steps-from-start-finish-before-file/. As far as after filing, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes about 4 - 6 months to complete after filing. Here is an Upsolve article to give you some guidance: https://upsolve.org/learn/how-long-does-chapter-7-take/

Upsolve Community Member
Antoine, my case took 4 months from start to finish and this was the "early Covid" time (Feb-May 2020)! From my view, the bankruptcy court system has stayed remarkably consistent throughout the pandemic! Good luck!

Upsolve Community Member
The process is in your hands! Several people have shared their "timelines" here, so that might give you a sense of what it looks like. It really depends on each person's circumstances, but generally speaking- before filing, you're in control of the process. After filing, it's usually about 4-6 months 

Upsolve Community Member
Antoine, the Upsolve article https://upsolve.org/learn/chapter-7-bankruptcy-timeline/ also breaks down the process so you can get a better idea of how long each step will take. I think you'll find it helpful in getting an estimate of time. 

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Patricia! I suppose courts vary but what you can expect is arriving with your "packet" and $338 (unless you were previously granted a hardship waiver) and you will be going to the Clerk window. In regards to the fee, here is an excellent article from the Upsolve Learning Center https://upsolve.org/learn/how-much-does-bankruptcy-cost/ I hope this answers your question! Good luck! :-)

Upsolve Community Member
Here is one more article that will help answer your question: https://upsolve.org/learn/how-long-does-chapter-7-take/

Upsolve Community Member
Patricia -- one thing that surprises a lot of people is how helpful the clerks at the Courthouse generally are.  There's nothing the least bit contestatory in their attitude -- this is their day-to-day business and they usually just want to help.  I even found that to the be case with my Trustee as well, though I wouldn't necessarily count on that.

Upsolve Community Member
So, I went to the Bankruptcy Courthouse. I was literally the only one there.

Upsolve Community Member
The lady doing intake was very helpful. She had me sit in the one chair (covid19 protocol) and went over the forms. She emailed the judge my petition for a fee waiver and about 45 minutes later she beckoned me to her window. Petition approved!  She asked if I had a copy of the paperwork, I did, so she stamped them and gave me a date for the 341 hearing.

Upsolve Community Member
By the way, when I told her that Upsolve helped me she said, "I am familiar with Upsolve. They are very good."

Upsolve Community Member
Patricia, so appreciate you following up and sharing your experience! Congrats on filing, that's a huge step 

Upsolve Community Member
Love hearing about your experience! Thank you so much for sharing! 

Upsolve Community Member
You might find this article helpful: https://upsolve.org/learn/how-long-does-chapter-7-take/

Upsolve Community Member
Does anyone want to share their personal timeline here as well? 

Upsolve Community Member
If it's a "no asset case" it's normally 60 days! 

Upsolve Community Member
In my case, it was in the early Covad days so everybody was adjusting from face-to-face to Zoom. My 341 was on April 20 (Zoom), and my Discharge June 1, 2020. So 60 days for me which for that very uncertain time, was pretty impressive! :-) 

Upsolve Community Member
My 341 was in early September and I was discharged in late November

Upsolve Community Member
Willa, thanks for asking! Before filing, the process is in your control. It's up to you when you decide is the best time to file- and whether you'd like to file with Upsolve, an attorney, or independently. After filing, the process takes about 4-6 months, depending on the circumstances. 

Upsolve Community Member
You can learn more about the process here! https://upsolve.org/learn/how-long-does-chapter-7-take/

Upsolve Community Member
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy will take much longer, 3-5 years. If you're exploring your options, the Upsolve article https://upsolve.org/learn/how-long-does-chapter-13-bankruptcy-take/ might be helpful.