Consumer Bankruptcy Resources
Curated reference materials for understanding consumer bankruptcy. Combines free tools from our screener platform, academic research from our research library, and external statutory references.
Glossary and Explainers
Bankruptcy Glossary
50+ bankruptcy terms explained in plain English. Covers Chapter 7, Chapter 13, automatic stay, discharge, means test, 341 meeting, and more.
Section 1328(f) Explained
Plain-English guide to the federal statute that bars Chapter 13 discharge for repeat filers. Time limits, worked examples, FAQ.
Dismissed vs. Discharged
The difference between a case being dismissed (no relief, debts remain) and discharged (debts eliminated). Why it matters.
Can I File Bankruptcy Again?
Time limits between filings, which chapters you can file, and what bars apply. Covers Sections 1328(f), 727(a)(8), and 109(g).
How Long Between Bankruptcies?
Filing-date-to-filing-date calculation for every chapter combination. Interactive time calculator.
What Is a Super Discharge?
Chapter 13's broader discharge scope compared to Chapter 7. Which debts can only be discharged in Chapter 13.
Guides by Audience
- For Debtors What to know if you're considering bankruptcy or currently in a case. How to check your eligibility and evaluate your attorney.
- For Attorneys How to use the screening tools in your practice. Checking client eligibility, avoiding 1328(f) issues, and accessing district-level data.
- For Trustees Screening tools for Chapter 13 trustees. Identifying prior filers, verifying discharge eligibility, and flagging potential violations.
- For Judges How the screening methodology works, what the data shows, and how it relates to proposed amendments to Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4004.
- For Researchers Data sources, methodology documentation, API access, and how to replicate our analysis for other districts or time periods.
Our Research
- BAPCPA at 20: What the Data Shows Twenty-year empirical assessment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act using 4.9 million cases.
- Chapter 13 Dismissal Rates by District National analysis across 94 districts. Attorney quality is the strongest predictor of outcomes.
- What Is a Bankruptcy Mill? Data-driven framework with 8 measurable indicators for identifying mill-pattern practices.
- How to Read Your Attorney's PACER Record Plain-English guide to evaluating a bankruptcy attorney using free public court records.
- Research Library 12 academic papers, judicial opinions, and statutory references that inform this project.
Free Tools
1328(f) Eligibility Screener
Check whether Section 1328(f) bars discharge in a specific case. Client-side only, no data collected.
National District Dashboard
Interactive map of all 94 federal bankruptcy districts with screening results, violation counts, and prior-filer rates.
District Comparison Tool
Compare screening results, dismissal rates, and prior-filer outcomes between federal bankruptcy districts.
Federal Statutes
- 11 U.S.C. Section 1328 - Discharge (Chapter 13) The full discharge statute including Section 1328(f) repeat-filer bar. Cornell Law Institute.
- 11 U.S.C. Section 727 - Discharge (Chapter 7) Chapter 7 discharge provisions including the 8-year bar under Section 727(a)(8). Cornell Law Institute.
- 11 U.S.C. Section 109 - Who May Be a Debtor Filing eligibility including the Section 109(g) filing bar for dismissed debtors. Cornell Law Institute.
- 11 U.S.C. Section 362 - Automatic Stay The automatic stay that protects debtors from collection actions upon filing. Cornell Law Institute.
- 11 U.S.C. Section 329 - Debtor's Transactions with Attorneys Court authority to review and order disgorgement of unreasonable attorney fees. Cornell Law Institute.
- Fed. R. Bankr. P. 4004 - Grant or Denial of Discharge The procedural rule governing discharge timing. Subject of pending amendment Suggestion 25-BK-N. Cornell Law Institute.
External Data Sources
- FJC Integrated Database Federal Judicial Center's case-level database for all federal court filings. Source of the 4.9 million cases in our screening analysis.
- PACER Case Locator Search federal court cases by party, attorney, or case number. Source of attorney-level performance data. $0.10/page, $30/quarter fee exemption.
- CourtListener / RECAP Free Law Project's public archive of millions of PACER documents. Free alternative to PACER for many filings.
- RECAP Browser Extension Install RECAP to automatically contribute PACER documents to the public archive as you browse. Reduces costs for everyone.