Do I Qualify for Bankruptcy? Run the Full Eligibility Check.

Filing bankruptcy without knowing whether you qualify — or which chapter applies to you — is one of the most common and costly mistakes debtors make. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 have distinct eligibility requirements, and failing to meet them either disqualifies your filing or forces a conversion you did not plan for. This calculator runs a comprehensive bankruptcy qualification check that covers both chapters simultaneously. For Chapter 7, the primary hurdle is the means test: a two-part income calculation that compares your current monthly income (a 6-month average) to your state median and, if you exceed it, calculates your disposable income after IRS-standard expense deductions. Many people who initially believe they earn too much to qualify actually pass the means test after proper deductions for taxes, health insurance, mortgage payments, vehicle ownership, and child care are applied. For Chapter 13, the test is different: you must have regular income, your secured debt must be below approximately $1.4 million, and your unsecured debt must be below approximately $465,000 (figures as of 2024, adjusted periodically). Chapter 13 also has a look-back period — if you received a Chapter 13 discharge in the last 2 years or a Chapter 7 discharge in the last 4 years, you may be ineligible for another discharge. This calculator walks through every eligibility gate — income, debt limits, prior filings, credit counseling, and recent fraudulent transfers — and tells you exactly where you stand for both chapters before you spend money on an attorney consultation.