{"id":286919,"date":"2016-04-04T10:41:50","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/bankruptcy\/chapter-13\/chapter-13-repayment-plan-and-confirmation-hearing.html"},"modified":"2025-08-17T18:05:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-17T23:05:55","slug":"chapter-13-repayment-plan-and-confirmation-hearing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/bankruptcy\/chapter-13\/chapter-13-repayment-plan-and-confirmation-hearing.html","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 13: Repayment Plan and Confirmation Hearing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Chapter 13: Repayment Plan and Confirmation Hearing<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

A Chapter 13 bankruptcy case debt repayment plan is the budget-based proposal you file shortly after starting a Chapter 13 case that sets one fixed monthly payment to the bankruptcy trustee for three to five years.\u00a0This will be used to\u00a0pay priority debts in full, deal with secured debts, and allocate all disposable income to unsecured creditors, who must receive at least what they’d get in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. The confirmation hearing, held by the bankruptcy judge, decides whether the plan meets the Bankruptcy Code’s requirements of\u00a0feasibility, good faith, and best-interests of the creditors.<\/i><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If the Chapter 13 trustee doesn’t believe your\u00a0Chapter 13 plan<\/a>\u00a0is feasible, they will advise you to change it. If a creditor objects to your plan, it may delay your case or convince the bankruptcy court judge to deny your proposed plan.<\/p>\n

After you file the plan, the trustee reviews it and may either\u00a0recommend confirmation or object. The court then holds a\u00a0confirmation hearing<\/a>, and the bankruptcy judge will go over your plan to\u00a0decide if it meets the standards of the\u00a0U.S. Bankruptcy Code<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here, we’ll explain the confirmation hearing in more detail. We will also explain how to create a reasonable repayment plan and what to do if the creditors object to it. Finally, we will discuss what happens if the judge doesn’t approve your\u00a0Chapter 13 plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you’re thinking about filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, it’s a good idea to meet with an\u00a0experienced bankruptcy attorney<\/a>. They can examine your case, offer legal advice, and represent you in court if necessary.<\/p>\n

Chapter 13 Repayment Plan Basics<\/h2>\n

If you plan to file for Chapter 13, you must file a proposed repayment plan with your bankruptcy petition or within 14 days,\u00a0unless the court extends the deadline. Your proposed plan must include a fixed monthly amount you will pay\u00a0the trustee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You must start payments within 30 days of filing,\u00a0regardless of whether\u00a0your plan has been\u00a0confirmed by then.\u00a0After confirmation, the trustee will\u00a0disburse your payments to the creditors according to the terms in your approved plan.<\/p>\n

This will continue until you have completed your payments. Chapter 13 repayment plans can last for\u00a0three to five years<\/a>. The length of your plan depends on the following:<\/p>\n