How Long Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Take?

Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Editorial Team

Updated on March 08, 2023

The average Chapter 7 bankruptcy case takes four to six months to complete from the initial filing to discharge.

You can help the process go as quickly as possible by providing the most complete and accurate information you can in your paperwork and by fully disclosing all your assets.

How Long Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Stay on Your Credit?

Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays on your credit for ten years. After this time, credit bureaus should stop reporting it.

The effects of a bankruptcy on your credit report my be more moderate for an already low score and more severe on a higher score.

However, after bankruptcy, it may be easier to rebuild your credit without having debts drag down your score.

How Long Does Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Take? 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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