S.D. Tex. Bankruptcy Statistics
Chapter 13 data from the FJC Integrated Database, FY 2008-2024. All figures derived from public federal court records.
What These Numbers Mean
The S.D. Tex. has a dismissal rate of 65.1%, which is significantly above the national average. This means roughly 53,397 of 91,806 Chapter 13 cases filed between 2008 and 2024 were dismissed before debtors could receive a discharge. A high dismissal rate can indicate systemic barriers to plan completion in this district.
Section 1328(f) of the Bankruptcy Code bars Chapter 13 discharge for debtors who received a prior discharge within specified time periods. Prior filers who were dismissed—rather than discharged—are not subject to this bar, but may face other restrictions under Section 109(g).
Federal Rules Committee
This research supports two accepted suggestions to the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules: Suggestion 26-BK-3 and Suggestion 26-BK-5
Proposing automated Section 1328(f) discharge bar screening and Rule 9037 SSN redaction in federal bankruptcy courts
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