Do I Qualify for Bankruptcy?
Almost everyone does. There is no approval process, and no bank or court gets to say no in advance. Tap through five quick questions and get a straight answer in about 30 seconds. No forms, no phone number, no credit check, and no signup.
Runs in your browser only. Nothing you tap is saved or sent to us.
Where do you live?
How many people are in your household, counting yourself?
Is your total household income under about a year?
Do you own your home?
Have you filed bankruptcy in the last 8 years?
Was that case dismissed or withdrawn in the last 6 months?
Dismissed means the court closed the case without wiping out the debt. If you finished and got your discharge, answer no.
Sorry, we can only represent people in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
That is where we are licensed and where we practice every day. The good news: bankruptcy is federal law, so the same fresh start exists in every state, and a bankruptcy lawyer licensed in your state can get you there.
Yes. You can file for bankruptcy.Your dates need a quick look first.
A case that ended in the last 6 months sometimes starts a short waiting period under the Bankruptcy Code's 180 day rule (section 109(g)). It only applies if the court dismissed your case over ignored orders or missed hearings, or you withdrew it after a creditor asked to lift the automatic stay (the order that stops collections). Most people are not blocked, and even when the rule applies it runs out on its own. Book a free consultation below and we will check your exact dates and tell you straight.
Nothing in your answers stops you from filing. In fact, based on what you told us, you may also qualify for our $999 flat fee Chapter 7 for qualifying filers. Book a free consultation below and we will confirm everything with you before you commit to anything. It takes about 15 minutes, by phone or Zoom.
Nothing in your answers stops you from filing. The means test (the income check that comes with Chapter 7) does not decide whether you can file. It only points you toward Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. Book a free consultation below and we will tell you which chapter fits your situation. It takes about 15 minutes, by phone or Zoom.
Filing before does not disqualify you. The 8 year rule only limits how soon you can get another Chapter 7 discharge (the court order that wipes out the debt), and Chapter 13 is often available much sooner. Book a free consultation below and we will look at your dates and tell you exactly where you stand.
Do you have to be approved to file bankruptcy?
No. Filing bankruptcy is a legal right written into federal law, not something a bank or a court grants you in advance. No one pulls your credit score to decide whether you are worthy, and there is no minimum amount of debt you need before you are allowed in. If you owe money you cannot pay, you can ask the court for relief. That is the whole entry requirement.
The confusion comes from the word qualify. What people usually mean is the means test, the income check that decides whether Chapter 7 is available or whether Chapter 13 is the fit. Failing the means test does not mean you cannot file. It just changes which chapter you use.
What does the means test actually decide?
The means test decides which chapter you use, not whether you can file. It compares your household income to the median income for a household your size in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. Below the median, Chapter 7 is generally available outright. Above it, a second calculation looks at what is actually left over each month after allowed living expenses.
Two things surprise people here. First, the test looks at your last six months of income, so a recent job loss or pay cut can change the answer quickly. Second, plenty of people who assume they earn too much still pass once real expenses are counted. We run the numbers with you before anything is filed.
What if your income is too high for Chapter 7?
Earning too much for Chapter 7 does not lock you out of bankruptcy. Chapter 13 has no income cap. Instead of erasing debt immediately, it reorganizes what you owe into one monthly payment over three to five years, and the remaining qualifying balances are discharged (wiped out) at the end.
For many higher earners Chapter 13 is not a consolation prize. It is the stronger tool, because it can stop a foreclosure, catch up a car loan, and protect property Chapter 7 cannot. The full comparison is in our Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 guide.
What if you filed bankruptcy before?
A past bankruptcy does not disqualify you from filing again. The rules only control how much time must pass between discharges: eight years between Chapter 7 cases, measured filing date to filing date, with shorter waiting periods for the combinations that involve Chapter 13.
If you are inside a waiting period, Chapter 13 can still protect you right away in many situations, and sometimes the smartest move is simply to wait a few months. We look at your exact dates in a free consultation and tell you honestly which it is.
Qualifying for bankruptcy FAQ
Do I need to be approved to file for bankruptcy?
No. There is no application or approval step. Filing bankruptcy is a legal right under federal law, and no creditor, bank, or credit score decides it for you. The means test only determines whether you use Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, not whether you can file.
Is there a minimum amount of debt required to file?
No. The Bankruptcy Code sets no minimum. What matters is whether the debt is a problem you cannot realistically pay. If collection calls, garnishment, or interest are outrunning your income, the amount is big enough to take seriously.
Can I make too much money to file bankruptcy?
You can earn too much for Chapter 7, but not for bankruptcy. Chapter 13 has no income cap, and many higher earners pass the Chapter 7 means test anyway once real living expenses are counted. The only way to know is to run the numbers, which we do with you in a free consultation.
Do I qualify if I am unemployed or have no income?
Yes. There is no income requirement for Chapter 7. Chapter 13 does require regular income to fund the monthly plan, so if you have no income, Chapter 7 is usually the path. Unemployment can actually help you pass the means test, since it looks at your last six months of income.
What if I filed bankruptcy before?
You can file again. Eight years must pass between Chapter 7 cases, measured from filing date to filing date, and the waits are shorter when Chapter 13 is involved. We check your dates in a free consultation and tell you exactly when you are eligible.
Does checking if I qualify affect my credit?
No. The checker on this page runs entirely in your browser, and nothing you enter is saved or sent to anyone. Booking a free consultation does not touch your credit either. Your credit report is only pulled later, with your permission, as part of preparing an actual filing.
Still wondering where you stand?
Tell us your situation and we will tell you honestly what fits. Free consultation over phone or Zoom, no obligation.
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