{
  "version": 1,
  "reviewed": "2026-10-04",
  "categories": [
    {
      "id": "plan",
      "name": "Your plan"
    },
    {
      "id": "payments",
      "name": "Payments"
    },
    {
      "id": "protections",
      "name": "Protections"
    },
    {
      "id": "records",
      "name": "Your case records"
    },
    {
      "id": "discharge",
      "name": "Finishing the plan"
    },
    {
      "id": "credit",
      "name": "Credit"
    },
    {
      "id": "help",
      "name": "Getting help"
    }
  ],
  "items": [
    {
      "id": "plan-length",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "How long does a Chapter 13 plan last?",
      "a": "Usually three or five years. The length depends on income compared with the state median: generally three years if below, and five years if at or above. A court cannot approve a plan longer than five years.\n\nA plan can be shorter if it pays all allowed unsecured claims in full.",
      "related": [
        "payments-start"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1322(d)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1322"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1325(b)(4)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1325"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "payments-start",
      "category": "payments",
      "q": "When do plan payments start?",
      "a": "U.S. Courts explains that payments to the trustee start within 30 days after the case is filed, even if the court has not yet approved the plan. A court can order otherwise.",
      "related": [
        "who-to-pay"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1326(a)(1)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1326"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "who-to-pay",
      "category": "payments",
      "q": "Who do I pay, and how?",
      "a": "Plan payments go to the Chapter 13 trustee for your case, either directly or through payroll deduction. Accepted methods differ by trustee. They can include electronic payments, money orders or cashier's checks, and a wage order sent to your employer.\n\nYour trustee's office or website lists the methods it accepts.",
      "related": [
        "wage-order"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Trustee Program — Chapter 13 handbooks and reference materials",
          "url": "https://www.justice.gov/ust/private-trustee-handbooks-reference-materials/chapter-13-handbooks-reference-materials"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "wage-order",
      "category": "payments",
      "q": "What is a wage order?",
      "a": "After a plan is confirmed, the court may order an employer or other source of income to pay all or part of that income directly to the trustee. U.S. Courts also notes that plan payments can be made through payroll deduction.\n\nIf your plan is paid through a wage order, you can still record each deduction in ReStep.",
      "related": [
        "who-to-pay"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1325(c)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1325"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "new-credit",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "Can I take on new credit during my plan?",
      "a": "U.S. Courts explains that new debt should not be taken on without consulting the trustee, because additional debt may affect the ability to complete the plan. Rules can differ by district, so check with your trustee's office or attorney first.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1305",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1305"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04",
      "uncertain": "Whether court approval is also required depends on local rules. We have not reviewed each district's rules."
    },
    {
      "id": "missed",
      "category": "payments",
      "q": "What happens if I miss a plan payment?",
      "a": "If payments under a confirmed plan are not made, the court may dismiss the case or convert it to Chapter 7, after notice and a hearing. Other options described by U.S. Courts include modifying the plan and, in limited situations, a hardship discharge.\n\nYour attorney or the trustee's office can tell you what applies to your case.",
      "related": [
        "plan-length"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1307",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1307"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1329",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1329"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "fm-course",
      "category": "discharge",
      "q": "What course is needed before discharge?",
      "a": "After filing, a personal financial management course from an approved provider is required before a Chapter 13 discharge, with limited exceptions. Providers are approved by the U.S. Trustee Program, or by the Bankruptcy Administrator in Alabama and North Carolina. This is separate from the credit counseling done before filing.\n\nIn Chapter 13, proof of completion is generally due no later than the date of the last plan payment.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1328(g)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1328"
        },
        {
          "title": "Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1007(c)(4)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frbp/rule_1007"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Trustee Program — Credit counseling and debtor education",
          "url": "https://www.justice.gov/ust/credit-counseling-debtor-education-information"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "credit-report",
      "category": "credit",
      "q": "How long does a Chapter 13 case stay on a credit report?",
      "a": "The Fair Credit Reporting Act generally allows bankruptcy cases to be reported for up to 10 years. Several bankruptcy courts note that credit reporting companies generally remove Chapter 13 cases after seven years from filing; some describe this for completed cases. That is industry practice, not a law.\n\nBankruptcy courts do not report information to credit reporting companies.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "15 U.S.C. § 1681c(a)(1)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1681c"
        },
        {
          "title": "CFPB — How long does information stay on my credit report?",
          "url": "https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-information-stay-on-my-credit-report-en-323/"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Bankruptcy case records and credit reporting",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-case-records-credit-reporting"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Hawaii — Credit reports and court records",
          "url": "https://www.hib.uscourts.gov/credit-reports-and-court-records"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "automatic-stay",
      "category": "protections",
      "q": "What is the automatic stay?",
      "a": "Filing a bankruptcy case automatically stops most collection actions against the person and their property. U.S. Courts explains that creditors generally may not start or continue lawsuits or wage garnishments, or even make phone calls demanding payment.\n\nThere are exceptions, and the stay can be shorter if a previous case was dismissed within the past year.",
      "related": [
        "co-signer"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 362",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "co-signer",
      "category": "protections",
      "q": "Does Chapter 13 protect a co-signer?",
      "a": "Chapter 13 has a special stay, often called the co-debtor stay, for people who share a consumer debt. Unless the court allows otherwise, a creditor may not try to collect a consumer debt from someone who is liable on it along with the person in the plan, such as a co-signer.",
      "related": [
        "automatic-stay"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1301",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1301"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "confirmation-hearing",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "When is the confirmation hearing?",
      "a": "The hearing on confirming the plan is generally held between 20 and 45 days after the meeting of creditors. Creditors and other parties in interest may object to the plan.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1324",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1324"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "trustee-fee",
      "category": "payments",
      "q": "Does the trustee keep part of each payment?",
      "a": "Yes. By law, a Chapter 13 standing trustee collects a percentage fee from plan payments, capped at 10 percent for most people. Your trustee's office can tell you the rate that applies to your case.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "28 U.S.C. § 586(e)",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/586"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "income-change",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "What if my income changes during the plan?",
      "a": "After confirmation and before payments are finished, a plan can be modified to increase or reduce payments or to extend or shorten the time to pay. The person in the plan, the trustee, or an unsecured creditor can ask. The total plan still cannot run more than five years.\n\nYour attorney or the trustee's office can tell you how this works in your district.",
      "related": [
        "missed"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1329",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1329"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "after-filing-property",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "What about money or property I get after filing?",
      "a": "In Chapter 13, property acquired and earnings from work after the case starts are generally part of the bankruptcy estate until the case is closed, dismissed, or converted. You usually keep possession of your property unless the plan or confirmation order says otherwise.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1306",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1306"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "tax-returns",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "Do I need to file tax returns during the case?",
      "a": "Returns for the four years before filing are due before the first meeting of creditors. During the case, the court, the U.S. trustee, or another party can request copies of tax returns and, in Chapter 13, a yearly statement of income and expenses. U.S. Courts notes that a case may be dismissed or converted if required tax filings are not made.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1308",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1308"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 521",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/521"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "mortgage-changes",
      "category": "payments",
      "q": "What if my mortgage payment changes?",
      "a": "If the plan deals with a mortgage on your home, the mortgage holder must file a notice at least 21 days before a new payment amount is due, such as after an escrow or interest-rate change. Fees and charges added after filing must be listed in a notice within 180 days.\n\nAfter the last plan payment, the trustee files an end-of-case notice and the mortgage holder must respond within 28 days.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 3002.1",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frbp/rule_3002.1"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "not-discharged",
      "category": "discharge",
      "q": "Which debts remain after a Chapter 13 discharge?",
      "a": "U.S. Courts lists debts not discharged in Chapter 13, including certain long-term obligations such as a home mortgage, alimony and child support, certain taxes, most government-funded or guaranteed student loans, and liability for death or injury caused by driving while intoxicated. Criminal fines and restitution are also not discharged.\n\nThe Chapter 13 discharge is somewhat broader than a Chapter 7 discharge in a few areas.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1328",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1328"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 523",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/523"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "dismiss-or-convert",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "Can I end or convert my Chapter 13 case?",
      "a": "The person in the plan may convert the case to Chapter 7 at any time; U.S. Courts lists a $25 fee for converting. They may also ask the court to dismiss the case at any time, if it was not converted from another chapter.\n\nThese choices have consequences, so talking with an attorney first is common.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 1307",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1307"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Basics",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics"
        },
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Bankruptcy court miscellaneous fee schedule",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/fees/bankruptcy-court-miscellaneous-fee-schedule"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "refiling",
      "category": "plan",
      "q": "Can someone file again after a case is dismissed?",
      "a": "The law limits some refiling. For example, a person cannot be in a new case for 180 days after voluntarily dismissing a case following a creditor's request for relief from the stay. If a previous case was dismissed within the past year, the automatic stay in a new case generally ends after 30 days unless the court extends it.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 109",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/109"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 362",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/362"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "check-case",
      "category": "records",
      "q": "How can I check my case?",
      "a": "You can hear basic case information by phone at no charge through the Voice Case Information System at 866-222-8029, 24 hours a day. Court filings are online through PACER, which charges $0.10 per page up to $3 per document, and waives fees if you spend $30 or less in a quarter.\n\nYour trustee may also offer an online account showing payments received.",
      "related": [
        "email-notices"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Bankruptcy Court, N.D. Texas — VCIS",
          "url": "https://www.txnb.uscourts.gov/voice-case-information-system-vcis"
        },
        {
          "title": "PACER — Pricing: how fees work",
          "url": "https://pacer.uscourts.gov/pacer-pricing-how-fees-work"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04",
      "uncertain": "Online trustee accounts differ by trustee. We have not confirmed which trustees offer them."
    },
    {
      "id": "email-notices",
      "category": "records",
      "q": "Can I get court notices by email?",
      "a": "Many bankruptcy courts offer Debtor Electronic Bankruptcy Noticing (DeBN), which sends court notices and orders by email instead of paper. It is free and voluntary. Your court's clerk's office can tell you whether it is available and how to sign up.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "Bankruptcy Noticing — For debtors",
          "url": "https://bankruptcynotices.uscourts.gov/for-debtors"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "unclaimed-funds",
      "category": "records",
      "q": "What are unclaimed funds?",
      "a": "When money in a bankruptcy case is never claimed, for example because of an old address or an uncashed check, the court holds it. A person who proves a right to the money can claim it at any time. U.S. Courts has a search tool by name.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Unclaimed funds in bankruptcy",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/unclaimed-funds-bankruptcy"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "legal-help",
      "category": "help",
      "q": "Where can I find free legal help?",
      "a": "Court staff and bankruptcy judges are not allowed to give legal advice. U.S. Courts points to free legal services, including legal aid organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation, which you can search by city or address.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Filing without an attorney",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/filing-without-attorney"
        },
        {
          "title": "Legal Services Corporation — I need legal help",
          "url": "https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "petition-preparers",
      "category": "help",
      "q": "What can a bankruptcy petition preparer do?",
      "a": "A non-attorney petition preparer can only type information into forms. By law, they cannot give legal advice, sign documents for you, or accept court fees, and they cannot use the word \"legal\" in their ads.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Courts — Filing without an attorney",
          "url": "https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/filing-without-attorney"
        },
        {
          "title": "11 U.S.C. § 110",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/110"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "report-fraud",
      "category": "help",
      "q": "How do I report bankruptcy fraud?",
      "a": "The U.S. Trustee Program accepts reports of suspected bankruptcy fraud or abuse by email at USTP.Bankruptcy.Fraud@usdoj.gov or by mail. Reports can be anonymous.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "U.S. Trustee Program — Report suspected bankruptcy fraud",
          "url": "https://www.justice.gov/ust/report-suspected-bankruptcy-fraud"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "free-credit-reports",
      "category": "credit",
      "q": "How can I see my credit reports for free?",
      "a": "The three nationwide credit bureaus let you check your report from each one every week for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.",
      "related": [
        "dispute-errors"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "FTC — Free credit reports",
          "url": "https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "dispute-errors",
      "category": "credit",
      "q": "How do I dispute an error on my credit report?",
      "a": "Contact both the credit reporting company and the company that supplied the information. There is no charge to dispute, and they generally must investigate and respond within 30 days.",
      "related": [
        "credit-repair-scams"
      ],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "CFPB — How do I dispute an error on my credit report?",
          "url": "https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-dispute-an-error-on-my-credit-report-en-314/"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    },
    {
      "id": "credit-repair-scams",
      "category": "credit",
      "q": "How can I spot a credit repair scam?",
      "a": "The FTC lists warning signs: a company that insists on payment before it helps you, tells you not to contact the credit bureaus directly, or offers to dispute information you know is accurate. No one can legally remove accurate, current information from a credit report.",
      "related": [],
      "sources": [
        {
          "title": "FTC — Fixing your credit FAQs",
          "url": "https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/fixing-your-credit-faqs"
        },
        {
          "title": "15 U.S.C. § 1679b",
          "url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/15/1679b"
        }
      ],
      "reviewed": "2026-10-04"
    }
  ]
}