How Long Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Take?

How Long Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Take?

Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases take 4–6 months from the day you file until you receive your discharge order.

💡 The discharge order is the court document that erases your qualifying debts like credit card debt, medical bills, personal loans, and more. 

In some simple “no-asset” cases, that discharge can happen in as little as 90 days. But if your case is more complicated or you don’t complete all the steps on time, it can take longer.

Chapter 7 is the fastest type of personal bankruptcy. Chapter 13, by comparison, takes 3–5 years because it involves a repayment plan.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Timeline at a Glance

Here’s a typical timeline from start to finish:

• Before filing (a few hours to a few weeks): Gather your financial records and complete a credit counseling course.

• Filing day (one day): You submit your bankruptcy forms, pay the filing fee (or submit a fee waiver request), and trigger the automatic stay.

• About 30 days after filing: Attend the 341 meeting of creditors.

• About 60 days after the 341 meeting: If there are no objections, you’ll receive your bankruptcy discharge. This is when your debts actually get erased!

• 1–2 weeks after discharge: The court closes your case. But if the trustee is still working on your case, it can stay open for several more months.

How Long Does It Take To File Chapter 7 Using Upsolve’s Free Filing Tool?

Upsolve offers a free bankruptcy filing tool for people with a simple Chapter 7 case.

⌚ If you’ve already organized your financial records (like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and information about your assets and debts), you might be able to complete the steps in the app in just a few hours. Others may take a few days or even weeks, depending on their pace. 

👀 Once you’ve submitted all your information, a trained team member will review your documents, which usually takes about two weeks. 

To keep things moving, be sure to check your my.upsolve.org account for any messages or requests from our team, and respond promptly with any updates.

What Happens After You File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

After you file your bankruptcy petition with the court, your case moves through a few key stages. The overall timeline is mostly set by bankruptcy law. But your case could take longer if you miss deadlines or if any issues come up along the way.

Let’s break down the process, step by step.

How Long Does It Take To Get Ready To File Chapter 7?

Getting ready to file Chapter 7 usually takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on how organized your paperwork is.

📃 You’ll need to gather things like pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, and a list of your property and debts. It's also a good idea to check your credit report, which you can do for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

🧾 You also need to complete a credit counseling course from a court-approved provider. This usually takes about an hour and can be done online.

👉 Once you’ve gathered your documents, finished the course, and filled out your forms, you’re ready to file. Some people finish this in just a few days — others take a few weeks if they need more time to pull everything together.

Filing to Your 341 Meeting (About 30 Days)

Your 341 meeting of creditors is usually scheduled about 30 days after you file. The meeting itself is quick. It usually takes 5–10 minutes.

📃 While you’re waiting for your meeting, the Chapter 7 trustee will likely ask for documents to help them review your case. If you already gathered these while filling out your forms, sending them over shouldn’t take long.

Many people also use this time to complete the second required bankruptcy course, called the financial management course. This one’s a bit longer than the first and takes about two hours.

📽️ Want help getting ready for your meeting? Check out our short YouTube video on what to expect at the 341 meeting.

After the 341 Meeting: Waiting for Your Discharge (About 60 Days)

The date of your 341 meeting sets several important deadlines:

• 30 days after your meeting: Deadline for the trustee or creditors to object to any property exemptions you claimed on Schedule C

• 45 days after your meeting: Deadline to handle secured debts like car loans (if you want to keep the car)

• 60 days after your meeting: Deadline for creditors to object to your discharge, which is rare but possible

If no one files an objection, the court will issue your discharge — this is the order that erases your qualifying debts.

After the Discharge: Closing Your Case (1–2 Weeks)

If the trustee doesn’t find any assets to distribute to creditors, they’ll file a Report of No Distribution. 

This report tells the bankruptcy court the case can be closed, and that often happens within 1–2 weeks of the discharge.

Some cases will stay open longer. This is especially true if the trustee is still reviewing assets, waiting for your tax return, or selling property. In those cases, the discharge happens first, but the case can stay open for a while until the trustee finishes their work.

You likely won’t need to do anything during this time unless the trustee asks for more documents or help.

What Can Delay a Chapter 7 Discharge?

Although many people get their debts discharged in 90–120 days, some things can cause delays, such as:

• You don’t complete your required financial management course.

  • This course must be taken after you file your case. If you don’t submit the certificate of completion to the court, your case could be closed without a discharge.

• A creditor or trustee files an objection.

  • This is pretty rare but can happen if someone believes you were dishonest or took on new debt right before filing. The court will delay the discharge while it reviews the objection.

• The court schedules a reaffirmation hearing.

  • Reaffirming a debt means agreeing to keep paying it after bankruptcy, usually to keep something like a car. If you’re not working with a bankruptcy lawyer, the court has to hold a hearing to make sure the agreement is in your best interest. Your discharge may be delayed until that hearing takes place.

How Long Does Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Take? 

Chapter 13 bankruptcy takes 3–5 years. During that time, you’ll make monthly payments in a court-approved repayment plan. 

As part of the repayment plan, filers can catch up on secured debts, like car loans or home loans.

Depending on the type of debt you have, this type of bankruptcy may provide more debt relief than a Chapter 7 filing. But it also comes with many risks and has a higher failure rate than Chapter 7.

If you’re considering a Chapter 13 case, it’s a good idea to get legal advice from a bankruptcy attorney. There are many moving parts in the Chapter 13 bankruptcy process. Luckily, most attorneys offer a free consultation.

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy FAQs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases.

What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? 

Chapter 7 is a type of bankruptcy that erases your debts to give you a fresh start. 

To file bankruptcy under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, you have to pass the means test. The means test shows the bankruptcy court that you’re eligible for debt relief because your monthly income isn't enough to pay your unsecured debts in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In other words, it shows the court that you don’t have disposable income you can use to repay your debts.

To learn more, read Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Explained.

What Debts Get Erased in Chapter 7?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy can wipe out most unsecured debts, including credit card debt, medical bills, and personal loans. 

You may also be able to discharge your federal student loans, but you’ll have to prove undue hardship and go through a separate process called an adversary proceeding. Some debts, like child support and alimony, can’t be erased in Chapter 7.

Chapter 7 is sometimes called liquidation bankruptcy because the bankruptcy trustee is allowed to sell any non-exempt property you own and use the funds to pay your creditors. However, this rarely happens, as most people’s belongings are fully protected by state or federal bankruptcy exemptions. 

To learn more, read What Type of Debt Can I Erase in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

How Long Does Chapter 7 Stay on Your Credit Report?

A Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years from the date you file. But that doesn’t mean your credit is ruined for that long. 

Many people start rebuilding their credit within a few months of discharge and see big improvements within 1–2 years.

Let’s Summarize…

Once filed, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically takes about 4–6 months to complete. The bankruptcy discharge order that provides you with permanent debt relief is granted 3–4 months after the case is filed. 

If you’re struggling to make ends meet and just can’t make a dent in your credit card debt, keep learning more about your bankruptcy options. While it’s not right for everyone, Chapter 7 bankruptcy helps thousands of people clean up their credit report and get back on their feet every year. It’s a myth that your credit score will be doomed forever. Most people are able to rebuild their credit to better than it was within 1–2 years of the discharge. Check out the video below ⬇️ for more!