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.
You cannot change my bankruptcy, but you can convert your Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7. It happens frequently. You may want to check with your lawyer or an experienced lawyer since it can have unintended consequences.
If you are in a chapter 13, if you are no longer able to make plan payments, you must either convert to a chapter 7 or dismiss the 13.
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.
The debtor (or the debtor's attorney) can do this with a simple filing - usually an "Ex Parte Motion to Convert Chapter 13 to a Chapter 7." Providing the debtor's bankruptcy has not previously been converted already, the debtor/debtor attorney can do this without the permission or advance permission of either the bankruptcy judge or the Chapter 13 trustee that is managing the bankruptcy up until that point (hence, the "Ex Parte" part of the document). There are notice requirements - check with your local bankruptcy district to see who this needs to be mailed out to. Also, there is usually a small fee involved (it usually involves the debtor paying the difference in cost between a Chapter 13 and a Chapter 7 filing, but may be different - again, check with your local bankruptcy court). The debtor will be required to go through another 341 creditor's meeting with the new Chapter 7 trustee.
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.
Believe it or not, the ploy is called a Chapter 20! A so-called "Chapter 20" bankruptcy is the process filing of a "Chapter 7" bankruptcy to discharge unsecured debts, followed by a "Chapter 13" bankruptcy to allow the debtor to catch up on mortgage payments. The 2005 Bankruptcy Reform Act attempts to limit "Chapter 20" bankruptcies by imposing limits on the filing of successive bankruptcies. Under current bankrupcy law a Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be filed only once every two years, and three years must pass after the filing of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy before a Chapter 13 filing. Some debtors attempt to circumvent this restriction by filing for Chapter 13 protection while the Chapter 7 petition is still pending. That option is not available in all courts. In a "Chapter 20" bankruptcy, debtors should be aware that missing even one mortgage payment after filing the initial "Chapter 7" petition may cost them their ability to save their home in a subsequent "Chapter 13" filing.
Both have the same negative impact on your credit.