Both are for consumers, as opposed to businesses, but Chapter 7 absolves all debts, whereas debtors in Chapter 13 restructure their debts on 3-5 year plans.
Yes.
The amount of time a bankruptcy stays on your credit report after discharge differs between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy. With Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the Chapter 7 stays on your credit report for 10 years. Chapter 13 bankruptcy, after discharge, it shows for 7 years on your credit report.
You can file bankruptcy again 7 years after the last time you filed.
As long as your Lawyer says.
Yes.
Yes, that is what we call a chapter 20 bankruptcy, but they are very complex.
Sometimes Chapter 13 debtors need or want to convert their bankruptcy case from a Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. And sometimes the bankruptcy court will force you to convert from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 - this is often called a "forced conversion." The reasons for conversions vary. For the most part, if you are instigating the conversion, you have a right to convert your case. But that doesn't always mean you'll qualify for Chapter 7 relief.
Both have the same negative impact on your credit.
It depends on what chapter you file under. There are separate types of bankruptcy for businesses and for individuals. The two chapters for individuals is chapter 7 and chapter 13. Chapter 7 discharges most debts but has more serious repercussions. Chapter 13 consolidates many debts to make one payment which is much more manageable. The attached article explains bankruptcy and compares chapter 7 and chapter 13.
Whether you are filing Chapter 13 or Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your credit score will be directly impacted for 7-10 years AFTER you exit protection.
A chapter 7 bankruptcy filing remains on your credit report for 10 years. Chapter 13 bankruptcy remains for seven years. Under chapter 13 bankruptcy you repay at least a portion of the debt, so it is removed a little sooner.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy involves liquidating assets to pay off debts, while Chapter 13 bankruptcy involves creating a repayment plan to pay off debts over time. Chapter 8 bankruptcy does not exist in the U.S. bankruptcy code.