{"id":286817,"date":"2021-01-27T10:39:36","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T15:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/bankruptcy\/after-bankruptcy\/how-often-can-you-file-for-bankruptcy.html"},"modified":"2026-05-11T10:19:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-11T15:19:04","slug":"how-often-can-you-file-for-bankruptcy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/bankruptcy\/after-bankruptcy\/how-often-can-you-file-for-bankruptcy.html","title":{"rendered":"How Many Times Can You File for Bankruptcy?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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How Many Times Can You File for Bankruptcy?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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There is no legal limit on how many times<\/span> you can file <\/span>Chapter 7<\/span> bankruptcy<\/span>. However, federal bankruptcy law<\/span> requires an eight-year waiting period<\/span> between Chapter 7 filings if you want to receive a discharge of your debts. Chapter 13<\/span> bankruptcy<\/span> has different rules. You can file Chapter 13 every two years and receive a discharge each time, making it possible to file more frequently than Chapter 7. The waiting periods<\/span> also vary when switching between chapter types. You can file a new <\/span>bankruptcy<\/span> case<\/span> before the required waiting period<\/span> ends, but you won’t be eligible for debt discharge until the time has passed.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The bankruptcy process<\/span> exists to help people who find themselves in severe financial trouble. It is a tool that gives debtors a fresh start<\/span> after accumulating debts they cannot pay. Bankruptcy courts<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are aware that some individuals and corporate entities try to\u00a0abuse the system, which is why filing limitations exist.<\/p>\n

This article\u00a0explains these restrictions and discusses the wait times involved before\u00a0refiling<\/span>\u00a0for either a\u00a0Chapter 7 or a\u00a0Chapter 13 bankruptcy<\/span><\/a>. Read on to learn what you need to know about bankruptcy filing<\/span> rules.<\/p>\n

The Different Types of Bankruptcies<\/span><\/h2>\n

The U.S.\u00a0Bankruptcy Code<\/span><\/a>\u00a0governs all types of bankruptcies<\/span> and imposes time limits<\/span> for\u00a0how quickly\u00a0a debtor can file\u00a0for another\u00a0bankruptcy. While the most common types of bankruptcy<\/span> are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, there are other types of bankruptcy<\/span> available.<\/p>\n

According to the United States Bankruptcy Code<\/span>, there are\u00a0six types of bankruptcy<\/span><\/a>. These include:<\/p>\n