If you have used Chapter 7 bankruptcy specifically to settle debts in the past, you must wait eight years before filing another Chapter 7 case. That doesn't mean you'll run out of options if you're in debt again. The waiting period for filing another bankruptcy case generally ranges from two to eight years, depending on the type of bankruptcy. Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: If you have received forgiveness in a previous Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must wait 6 years from the date you filed your Chapter 13 bankruptcy filing to receive a full forgiveness.
You can file for bankruptcy more than once, but there is usually a waiting period between each bankruptcy filing. If your previous bankruptcy case was Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 and you want to file a new Chapter 7 case, you must wait at least eight years after the previous bankruptcy has been filed. If your previous bankruptcy case was Chapter 7 and you want to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you should generally wait at least four years after the Chapter 7 bankruptcy has been filed. But if your previous bankruptcy case was Chapter 13 and you want to file another Chapter 13 case, the waiting period is generally reduced to two years from when the previous bankruptcy case was filed.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy: If you have received a waiver in a previous Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must wait 8 years from the date you filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to re-declare it. Chapter 13 Bankruptcy: If you have received forgiveness in a previous Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you must wait 2 years from the filing date of your previous Chapter 13 bankruptcy. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy can remain on your credit report for 10 years from the time the case was filed, and a Chapter 13 bankruptcy can appear on your credit report for seven years after the case is filed.