Can You File Bankruptcy Twice?

Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Editorial Team

Updated on March 08, 2023

Yes, you can file for bankruptcy twice; however, there are limits to how often you can receive a discharge.

The timetable is as follows:

  • Chapter 7 after Chapter 7: every 8 years
  • Chapter 7 after Chapter 13: after 6 years
  • Chapter 13 after Chapter 7: after 4 years
  • Chapter 13 after Chapter 13: every 2 years

How Bad Is It to File Bankruptcy Twice?

If you have waited the appropriate amount of time since your last bankruptcy, then the worst effect of filing twice will be the hit to your credit score.

Bankruptcy usually affects high scores more than already low scores, so you may need to investigate for yourself how your credit will be impacted.

Can You File Bankruptcy Twice? FAQs

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website, view his author profile on Amazon, or check out his speaker profile on the CFA Institute website.

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