Each year, Chapter7.com helps tens of thousands of people start down the road to a debt-free life.

Chapter7.com can help you:

• Learn how Chapter 7 bankruptcy was designed to eliminate debt
• Find a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer near you for free

Founded in December of 2007, Chapter7.com provides Chapter 7 bankruptcy information for anyone struggling with debt, and unsure what to do next.

We work with a nationwide network of sponsoring bankruptcy attorneys. A local bankruptcy can answer your questions about bankruptcy, debt relief and what might be the best option for you.

When you’re ready to take action against your debt, you should gather information to make decisions about what’s best for your future. That’s why all of the resources available on Chapter7.com are free.

Every day, thousands of people visit Chapter7.com to learn more about:

• The Chapter 7 means test
• How Chapter 7 exemptions work
• What happens to your car during bankruptcy?
• How to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy
• Connecting with a local Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

You don’t have to live with unmanageable debt. The U.S. Bankruptcy code was specially written to provide real, legally-binding debt relief and protection. You can get out of debt without sacrificing your future.

Get started today by completing the free bankruptcy case evaluation form on this page. We keep your information secure, and use it to help you get in touch with a bankruptcy lawyer near you.

Your bankruptcy lawyer can take you through Chapter 7 bankrutpcy process step-by-step and help you take full advantage of bankruptcy’s protection and debt elimination tools.

Read on for more information about how long Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases last.

The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Process

Although it might seem that some of the steps in the process are complex, your Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney can be by your side to ensure that the right forms are completed and the right documentation submitted.

During a 60-day time period following the Meeting of Creditors, creditors listed in the Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition may object to specific debts for statutory reasons.

Within that time period, the trustee can also move to dismiss the case if he finds that the filing is abusive.

And, once the 60-day period expires, you will likely receive your Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge.

If neither of these disputes occurs, you could receive your bankruptcy discharge as soon as three and a half months after your petition is filed.

The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Discharge May Happen Sooner Thank You Think

Getting constantly hounded by creditors can be a frustrating experience and Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the solution to getting rid of them.

If you’re ready to potentially stop the hassle and headache of angry creditors, you can fill out the below form to speak with one of our sponsoring Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorneys for free.

The above summary is not legal advice. Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws may have changed since our last update. For the latest information on bankruptcy laws, speak to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer in your state.

In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, filers are granted a discharge from certain debts, which means they’ll never have to pay those old bills and they can start fresh again.

However, in some cases, filers may be subject to a court-ordered liquidation, or sale, of certain property to help pay for part of the retired debts.

The good news: In the majority of Chapter 7 cases there is no property sale. But, because a sale could happen, you need to be aware of the exemptions outlined by the chapter 7 bankruptcy laws in your state.

A bankruptcy lawyer can help you determine if your property would be at risk for a sale before you file.

What is a Chapter 7 Exemption?

Exempt property is any item or property you own which, by law, is excused or protected from liquidation. To put it simply, an exemption is anything your trustee can’t sell to raise money for your creditors. No matter what happens during the rest of a Chapter 7 case, you can hang on to your exempt assets.

As far as what types of property are considered, this varies from state-to-state. Most states provides bankruptcy exemptions for basic and necessary items.

How Much Property will be Protected by Chapter 7 Exemptions?

This is where your bankruptcy lawyer plays an important role. Specific exemptions differ from state to state, so the Chapter 7 exemptions that apply to your case depend on where you live.

Also, your family situation may affect your exemptions, too. For example, if you are married or have children then, in some states, more of your property is exempt.

Most states, though, excuse similar kinds of property from liquidation, including:

• Home
• Car
• Some of your earnings
• Work tools
• Other personal property

But how much of these can you keep? Again, that varies according to states. Some state laws are written to allow simply “100 percent of all property of this type.” Other times, laws put a limit, such as “Up to $5,000 worth of this type of property.”

Get more information on the Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws in your state.

Bottom Line: Will Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Exemptions Protect Your Stuff

While this question depends on your specific belongings and circumstances, most people who are eligible to file for the protection of Chapter 7 bankruptcy have little or no non-exempt property. In most Chapter 7 cases, there is no sale of any property.

In other words, in the eyes of the bankruptcy law, they need everything they own and typically keep most, if not all, of those possessions.

For complete details on how your property would be protected if you filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy, speak with a local bankruptcy attorney. Your attorney can discuss your case and the laws in your state.

To connect with a bankruptcy attorney near you, simply complete the form on this page, or call, toll free, 877-226-6844.

If you have certain valuable possessions, like a lot of equity in your home or multiple cars, that you’re not willing to part with, you may want to consider filing under Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

More Chapter 7 bankruptcy information.

You might be worried about having to complete a mountain of paperwork and handle complex legal procedures—but that’s where a Chapter bankruptcy attorney may be able to help.

Read on then fill out this form to connect with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer for free:

Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Though the procedures and deadlines for filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be confusing for someone without legal training, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer can keep you advised as he or she files any papers or statements that your petition requires.

It’s a good idea to follow your Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney’s advice and do not attempt to conceal your property, destroy any financial records, violate any court order or make last-minute charges on your credit cards.

Doing these things might get your case thrown out before you are granted a discharge.

Before filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must:

• meet with your lawyer and provide the necessary information for completion of the petition and schedules, including a list of your current personal property and its value, a list of creditors whom you owe and any payments you have made to them, information on employment or other income and other information that your bankruptcy lawyer will ask you to provide.
• complete a U.S. Trustee-approved Credit Counseling Briefing and give the completion certificate to your attorney to file with your petition.

After you have completed these tasks, your bankruptcy attorney will file the petition and credit counseling certificate with the bankruptcy court.

After You File the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Petition

After your bankruptcy petition is filed:

• Your creditors will be sent a notice of your Chapter 7 bankruptcy case. A bankruptcy trustee will be assigned to oversee your case. The trustee is a federal employee appointed by the court to monitor your case and make sure you are eligible to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The trustee will review your petition, make sure that it is complete and schedule a Meeting of Creditors.
• You and/or your bankruptcy lawyer will file any schedules that were not filed with the petition within 15 days.
• You and/or your Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer will file a Statement of Intention within 30 days regarding any secured property.
• You and/or your bankruptcy lawyer will attend the Meeting of Creditors, which will take place around six weeks from filing.
• You will need to complete a U.S. Trustee-approved Debtor Education course at some point between filing and your discharge.

After you make sure that you follow all of these procedures for completing your bankruptcy petition, typically all you must do to see your bankruptcy petition through to discharge is play the waiting game.

If no creditor objects to any specific debt for statutory reasons, and the trustee does not find that your case is “abusive” and dismisses it, then you will likely receive your Chapter 7 bankruptcy discharge after about 60 days.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases are typically faster than Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases. Read more: How Fast is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

The Automatic Stay

After you file your bankruptcy petition, you will likely be granted an automatic stay from the bankruptcy court, which was designed to prevent creditors from taking (or continuing) any collection or legal action against you.

Note: The above summary is not legal advice. Laws may have changed since our last update. For the latest information on bankruptcy laws, speak to a local bankruptcy lawyer in your state.

This type of bankruptcy is generally a good fit for people who:

• Struggle with income
• Have lots of unsecured debt, such as credit cards and medical bills.

To find out if Chapter 7 bankruptcy is a good fit for you, speak with a local Chapter 7 attorney. Complete the free form on this page and we’ll connect you with a local bankruptcy. Get a free case review by a Chapter 7 attorney, and get the answers to your questions.

Who is Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

Most people who file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy have mostly unsecured debts. This includes debt from:

• Credit cards
• Medical bills
• Utility bills
• Personal loans
• Payday loans

If you qualify, all of your debts relating to these may be completely wiped out in just a few months.

People who have outstanding debt on big-ticket items like homes and cars and want to keep that property usually opt to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, which allows for repayment of debts over a 3-5 year period and typically allows the debtor to keep his property.

Also, in order to file you must meet the requirements set by the bankruptcy means test.

Chapter 7 Requirements

The new bankruptcy law that took effect in October of 2005 contains provisions that may prevent people from taking advantage of Chapter 7’s powerful debt reduction abilities.

The law now makes anyone who wants to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy take the Chapter 7 means test as a way of determining true need.

The means test is not designed to keep you from getting debt relief. Generally speaking, if you earn at or less than the median annual income in your state, you should qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Depending on the situation, you may be able to earn up to $100,000 a year and still qualify.

Get a full list of state median incomes.

Chapter 7 Means Test Details

The first step of the means test is to compare the debtor’s income to the state median income where he resides.

The test ends right there for most Chapter 7 debtors—if the debtor’s income is below the median for his state, he can file under Chapter 7.

However, if a debtor’s income is higher than his state’s median, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he can’t file under Chapter 7: it just means that the debtor must move on to the next step of the means test and provide additional information to determine how much disposable income he has available to pay debts.

The short answer is that it is likely nearly everyone who would have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy before the law change can still do so.

Talk to a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Lawyer for More Information

For specific information about your eligibility for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and to find out whether filing bankruptcy would provide the relief and protection you need, talk to a bankruptcy attorney.

The above summary is not legal advice. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Laws may have changed since our last update. For the latest information on bankruptcy laws, speak to a local bankruptcy lawyer in your state.

But don’t panic–most Chapter 7 bankruptcy filers get to keep all of their property because most filers don’t have any non-exempt assets, and thus there’s no actual liquidation.

If you’re thinking about filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy, talk to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer today about your options:

The Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Process

How Long Does a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case Take?

Most Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases move relatively quickly. It’s possible that you could receive your discharge within three or four months.

A Chapter 7 discharge refers to the successful removal of unsecured debts like credit card debt, medical bills, most personal loans, judgments resulting from car accidents, deficiencies on repossessed vehicles, some older tax debts, payday loans and wage garnishments.

Certain debts are classified as “non-dischargeable” debts, which means they can’t be discharged or can only be discharged under special circumstances like child support, most student loans and many tax debts.

Steps to Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Step 1: Qualifying to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Step 2: Mandatory Credit Counseling Briefing

Step 3: Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

Step 4: Mandatory Debtor Education Course

Step 5: Chapter 7 Debt Discharge

How Much Does it Cost to File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

If you’re interested in filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you’re likely wondering about how much the process will cost.

As of June 2009, the Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing fee is $299.

This price is subject to change and any changes will be on the U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s official Web site. Keep in mind this is the court filing fee and doesn’t include any Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer fees.

Talk to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer today to discuss the cost of filing bankruptcy in more detail.

Is Filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Right for Me?

Not sure whether you should file bankruptcy? Fill out the above free form or call us at 877-226-6844 to connect with a lawyer for free.

We’ll connect you with a sponsoring local Chapter 7 bankruptcy attorney. A bankruptcy lawyer can explain your right to protection under the bankruptcy law.

A bankruptcy lawyer can further discuss why Chapter 7 bankruptcy may be the right option for those who:

• have no income or low income
• have little or no money left after paying necessary living expenses each month
• have few assets (or no assets) outside furniture, clothing and other necessities
• rent or have little equity in their home