bankruptcy lawyer Memphis, TNWhat to Know About Filing for Bankruptcy Again

If you’ve filed for bankruptcy in the past and find yourself in financial trouble again, you might be wondering if you can file for bankruptcy more than once.

The short answer is yes – but there are rules about when and how you can do it.

As a bankruptcy lawyer, I’ve helped many people in your situation. Even after you get out of debt, life can throw curveballs. People with job loss, medical bills, divorce, and more sometimes find one bankruptcy isn’t enough to keep them out of financial trouble forever.

Here’s what you should know, and how to get rid of debt for good.

You Can File Again – But Timing Matters

You’re allowed to file for bankruptcy more than once, but you may need to wait a certain amount of time between cases. It depends on what kind of bankruptcy you filed before and what you want to file now.

Here are the general waiting periods between successful bankruptcy cases:

Chapter 7 to Chapter 7

You generally need to wait 8 years from the date of your first filing.

Chapter 13 to Chapter 13

You have to wait 2 years from the date of your first filing. That’s often shorter than your repayment plan, which you have to finish for this type of bankruptcy. So after seeing your Chapter 13 through, you may find it’s been enough time already.

Chapter 7 to Chapter 13

You need to wait 4 years.

Chapter 13 to Chapter 7

The wait is 6 years, unless you paid most of your debts in your Chapter 13 repayment plan. In that case, you might be able to file sooner.

What If You Don’t Know or Have Questions?

Plenty of people may not know where they fall in these rules. What kind of bankruptcy did you file before, and when did it technically go into effect?

That’s something I can help you figure out. We can cover this in a free consultation so you don’t have any doubts about your options.

If you’re able to file again, we’ll work out your best path forward. And if you aren’t yet able, we can talk through some of your other options in the meantime.

What If I Didn’t Get a Discharge Last Time?

Sometimes, people file for bankruptcy but don’t get a discharge. That means the court doesn’t wipe your debt, and the bankruptcy isn’t considered completed.

If that happened, you might not have to wait to file again. But you’ll want to talk with a bankruptcy attorney to understand what went wrong the first time and how to avoid the same issues.

Why Would Someone File Again?

Needing to file for bankruptcy more than once doesn’t mean you did something wrong. It just means that life got hard again. I’ve worked with people who:

  • Lost a job after recovering from their first bankruptcy
  • Faced new medical debt or emergency expenses
  • Went through divorce or separation
  • Tried a repayment plan but couldn’t keep up

If you’re overwhelmed again, it may be time to get a fresh start. And this time, we have resources to help when financial issues come up again.

How to Rebuild Better After a Bankruptcy

We’ve worked with plenty of clients who found themselves in trouble after their first bankruptcy. Often it’s through no real fault of their own. All sorts of sudden changes can come up (see above).

But no matter what brought you back into debt, there are also ways to protect yourself next time and build the best chance of success.

To help, we’ve developed two free reports to support our clients as they rebuild their financial lives after bankruptcy.

Life After Bankruptcy

One of our most popular free reports, this short guide will help you understand the process for a lot of big decisions that come after bankruptcy, like buying a car, getting a mortgage, and whether or not to tell your employer.

It answers some of our most frequently asked questions and helps you make smart, practical choices based on your unique situation.

Rebuilding Your Credit

Our newest and most robust free report, Rebuilding Your Credit offers all the tools you need to get your credit score back to an A rating – even after bankruptcy.

Through an easy step-by-step guide, you’ll learn tricks most people have never heard of to help you improve your credit and your financial stability for the long-term.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Filing again can be more complicated than the first time, especially when it comes to court rules and timelines. That’s why having an experienced bankruptcy attorney matters. I can help you:

  • Check if you’re eligible to file again
  • Choose the right chapter for your situation
  • Avoid mistakes that could delay or dismiss your case
  • Stop wage garnishment, foreclosure, and creditor calls, and
  • Help you stay out of debt in the years to come

You’ll never experience judgement from our team – just warm, friendly support as you make the best choice for you.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re wondering whether you can file for bankruptcy again, you’re likely feeling stressed and unsure. But you don’t have to navigate this alone.

I’m here to help you understand your rights, weigh your options, and take steps toward a better financial future.

Just call 901-327-2100 today or contact us online. Let’s talk about how you can reset and get the second chance you need.