Can I File Bankruptcy Again?

Believe it or not there are people who file bankruptcy more than once. Therefore, the federal courts have set guidelines regarding how often someone can file bankruptcy.  The time frames indicated vary, depending on which type of bankruptcy you filed previously and which type you seek to file at the present time.   This does not include bankruptcy conversions, where a debtor converts a Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7 during the original filing period. 

If you have previously obtained a Chapter 7 discharge, you must wait eight years before filing another Chapter 7 petition.  If you have previously filed Chapter 7 and want to file Chapter 13, you must wait four years to file.   If you have previously filed Chapter 13, you must wait 2 years before obtaining another Chapter 13 discharge.