Free tools to find out whether a prior bankruptcy could block your Chapter 13 discharge.
When you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, the goal is a discharge -- a court order that eliminates qualifying debts after you complete your repayment plan. But federal law contains a rule that can block that discharge if you filed bankruptcy before.
Section 1328(f) of the Bankruptcy Code says:
The filing itself is not blocked. You can still file the case and receive automatic stay protection. But at the end of your 3-to-5-year repayment plan, you will not get the debt relief you were counting on. Your debts remain enforceable.
If 1328(f) applies to your case, you may be paying attorney fees, filing fees, and monthly plan payments for years with no discharge at the end. The screener tools on this site let you check whether the bar applies -- for free, in seconds.
Enter two dates and get an instant answer. No account required.
Open Eligibility CheckerIf you believe your Chapter 13 case is discharge-barred and your attorney did not inform you before filing:
This site provides information and screening tools, not legal advice. Every situation is different. The eligibility checker and screener identify potential bars based on publicly available data. Consult a licensed attorney for advice about your specific case.
Enter two dates, get an instant answer. No account needed.
Plain-English walkthrough of the discharge bar and how it works.
50+ bankruptcy terms explained in plain English.
All waiting periods for repeat filings in one place.
Complete table of time limits between filings by chapter.
Why Chapter 13 discharge is broader than Chapter 7.