About This Site
Chapter 7 bankruptcy - sometimes called "liquidation" or "straight bankruptcy" - is the most common form of bankruptcy filed in the United States. It allows individuals and businesses to discharge most unsecured debts and get a fresh financial start, typically in 3 to 6 months.
This site will provide a comprehensive, jargon-free explanation of how Chapter 7 works: who qualifies (the bankruptcy means test guide), what property you can keep (exemptions), what debts get discharged, and what to expect at every stage of the process from filing through discharge.
We will cover the entire Chapter 7 timeline, including the 341 meeting of creditors, the role of the Chapter 7 trustee, potential objections to discharge under Section 727(a), and what happens to secured debts like car loans and mortgages. Before you file, make sure you understand what not to do before bankruptcy - certain pre-filing actions like transferring property or running up credit cards can jeopardize your case.
Part of the Open Bankruptcy Project - a growing collection of free, open-source bankruptcy information sites built on public court data. No advertising, no lead generation, no attorney referral fees. Real information, no strings.
Check Your Bankruptcy Discharge Eligibility
Use the free screener at 1328f.com to check whether federal timing bars affect your ability to receive a bankruptcy discharge.
Explore Chapter 7 Exemptions
Dive deeper into what property you can protect in a Chapter 7 case:
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