§727(a)(8) 8-Year Chapter 7 Refiling Bar in Massachusetts

How 11 U.S.C. § 727(a)(8) applies in Massachusetts — federal bankruptcy law, Massachusetts district data.

What §727(a)(8) 8-Year Chapter 7 Refiling Bar Does

You cannot receive a second Chapter 7 discharge within 8 years of a prior Chapter 7 discharge. The clock runs from filing-date to filing-date, not discharge-to-discharge. Filing within 8 years is not prohibited — the case will proceed, but discharge will be denied.

Key points:

Massachusetts Bankruptcy Data (FJC)

46,415
Total filings
61.2%
Dismiss rate
10,756
Prior filers
17.4%
Prior discharge rate

Districts covered: D. Massachusetts.

Apply This to Your Case

The rules above are federal — they apply identically in every state. What varies by state is exemptions (§522), median income thresholds (means test), and case-law interpretations of ambiguous terms. For a Massachusetts-specific answer, check the screener or consult a local attorney.

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Related Massachusetts Statutes

§727(a)(8) 8-Year Chapter 7 Refiling Bar in Other States