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Fees & Costs To File
To file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you are required to pay a court filing fee and a fee for legal services. Your attorney can explain the expected costs and how the process works.
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Attorneys
Behind on your home, car, or debt? Chapter 13 may help you catch up.
If you are facing foreclosure, repossession, lawsuits, garnishments, or overwhelming debt, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may help you stop collection pressure and create a court-approved repayment plan.
✓ Free bankruptcy consultation
✓ Stop foreclosure or repossession pressure
✓ Review your repayment options
Attorney Jon Gold
Helping Springfield-area clients reorganize debt and protect what matters.
Foreclosure Pressure
Chapter 13 may help you stop foreclosure and catch up through a repayment plan.
Repossession Risk
Filing may help stop repossession and give you time to address missed payments.
Lawsuits & Garnishments
The automatic stay may stop many collection actions after filing.
Debt Reorganization
Chapter 13 can help you reorganize debt into a structured payment plan.
A Structured Path Forward
Chapter 13 can help people protect assets while catching up on debt.
Filing for bankruptcy alone can be daunting, especially if you are behind on your home or auto loan payments. Chapter 13 bankruptcy can help stop foreclosures, repossessions, lawsuits, and creditor pressure while creating a payment plan to address your debts.
During your free initial consultation, our attorneys will review your situation, discuss your income, debts, assets, and goals, and help determine whether Chapter 13 is the best course of action for you and your family.
How does Chapter 13 bankruptcy work?
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is designed for individuals with regular income. Instead of selling off property to repay debt, you propose a repayment plan that is reviewed and approved by the bankruptcy court.
Repayment plans usually last three to five years. At the end of the plan, remaining eligible debt may be discharged, with some exceptions.
3–5 Year Plan
Automatic Stay
Keep Assets
Debt Reorganization
Who Chapter 13 May Help
Chapter 13 is often used when there is something important to protect.
Chapter 13 may be an option when you have regular income and need time to catch up, reorganize debt, or protect important property.
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You are behind on your mortgage
Chapter 13 may help stop foreclosure and allow you to catch up on past-due payments over time.
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Your vehicle is at risk
Chapter 13 may help stop repossession or create a path to address missed auto loan payments.
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You do not qualify for Chapter 7
If your income or situation makes Chapter 7 unavailable, Chapter 13 may still offer relief.
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You need time and structure
A repayment plan can create one organized path instead of facing creditors from every direction.
Chapter 13 Filing Process
What you need to know before filing Chapter 13
Chapter 13 includes several important requirements. Working with an experienced bankruptcy attorney helps make sure you do not miss a step.
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The Means Test
The Means Test helps determine whether your payment plan period is three to five years. It considers factors such as income, household size, and monthly living expenses.
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Debt Relief & Reorganization
Chapter 13 allows you to keep assets and property as long as the court-approved plan is affordable and followed. Many plans allow people to pay back less than the total amount owed.
Chapter 13 Video Resources
Short answers to common Chapter 13 questions
Choose a topic to open the complete written answer and its video. Keeping the full player on each focused article makes this page faster and avoids repeating the same videos across the website.
Documentation Needed
What should you gather for Chapter 13?
Once you decide to move forward, your attorney will need a clear picture of your income, creditors, property, and monthly expenses.
- Your creditors and their addresses
- Your income information for the last six months
- Any property or assets you own
- Your monthly living expenses
- Your last two years of tax returns
- Recent bank statements
- Information about mortgage or auto loan arrears
- Details about lawsuits, garnishments, foreclosure, or repossession notices
- Vehicle loan balances and monthly payments
- Retirement account statements, if applicable
Chapter 13 creates a plan to reorganize debt.
A Chapter 13 repayment plan can help you deal with past-due balances, protect important assets, and create one structured path forward. The amount you pay depends on income, expenses, debts, property, and bankruptcy rules.
Mortgage arrears
Auto loan arrears
Credit cards
Medical debt
Personal loans
Tax debt issues
Lawsuits
Garnishments
Related Bankruptcy Topics
Learn more about bankruptcy options and debt problems
Chapter 13 is one bankruptcy option. Learn more about related debt issues and how different bankruptcy paths may apply.
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Compare Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 to understand which option may fit your situation.
Credit Card Debt
Learn how bankruptcy may help with overwhelming credit card balances and personal debt.
Medical Debt
Unexpected medical bills can become impossible to manage. Bankruptcy may offer relief.
Tax Debt
Some tax debt may qualify for bankruptcy relief depending on your situation.
Business Debt
Business debt can affect both your company and personal finances. Review your options.
Divorce-Related Debt
The financial impact of divorce can be difficult. Bankruptcy may help create a fresh start.
Payday Loans
Payday loans can create a cycle of debt. Legal options may be available.
Bankruptcy Law Overview
Return to the main bankruptcy page to compare options and learn more.
Take The Next Step
Find out if Chapter 13 bankruptcy is right for you.
A short conversation can help you understand whether Chapter 13 may help you stop foreclosure, protect a vehicle, reorganize debt, and move forward with a court-approved plan.
Ready to talk with someone?
Use the live chat button on this page, call the office, or send a message through the contact page.
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