Chapter 13 Payment
Plan Calculator
Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets you keep your assets while repaying debts over 3 to 5 years through a court-supervised plan. Your monthly payment is based on disposable income — the difference between what you earn and what the IRS considers reasonable living expenses. This free calculator estimates your plan payment so you can evaluate whether Chapter 13 is the right path forward.
Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer
Estimate Your Chapter 13 Payment
Enter your income, expenses, and debt details to see an estimated monthly Chapter 13 plan payment.
How Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Works
Chapter 13 is sometimes called a “wage earner's plan” because it's designed for people with regular income who can afford to repay some or all of their debts over time. Unlike Chapter 7, which liquidates non-exempt assets for a one-time discharge, Chapter 13 lets you keep everything — your home, car, and other property — while paying creditors through a structured repayment plan.
The plan lasts 3 to 5 years. Filers with income below their state's median may qualify for a shorter 3-year plan, while those at or above the median typically must propose a 5-year plan. A court-appointed trustee collects your monthly payment and distributes it to creditors according to the plan.
Who Qualifies
- Regular income — you must have a reliable source of income (employment, self-employment, Social Security, pension, or even consistent gig work) sufficient to fund the plan.
- Debt under the limit — as of 2026, your noncontingent, liquidated unsecured debts must not exceed $526,700 and your secured debts must not exceed $1,580,125 (Judicial Conference triennial inflation adjustment effective April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2028). The COVID-era combined $2.75M cap from the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act of 2022 sunset on June 21, 2024.
- Tax filings current — you must have filed all required federal and state tax returns for the 4 years preceding your bankruptcy petition.
- Credit counseling — you must complete an approved credit counseling course within 180 days before filing.
Chapter 13 Debt Limits (2026)
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) sets separate limits for secured and unsecured debts, adjusted every three years by the Judicial Conference. The COVID-era combined $2.75M cap under the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act of 2022 sunset on June 21, 2024 — the split secured/unsecured limits are back in effect through March 31, 2028.
| Debt Category | 2026 Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Secured Debts | $1,580,125 | Mortgages, car loans, tax liens |
| Unsecured Debts | $526,700 | Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans |
| Combined Total | $2,106,825 | Sum of split secured + unsecured limits (April 2025 – March 2028) |
Limits adjusted for inflation every 3 years. Next adjustment scheduled April 2028.
What Your Chapter 13 Payment Covers
Your monthly plan payment is distributed by the Chapter 13 trustee in a specific order of priority. Understanding this hierarchy explains why your payment amount may be higher than expected.
1. Priority Debts (Paid in Full)
Domestic support obligations (child support, alimony), recent tax debts, and trustee administrative fees must be paid 100% through the plan. These cannot be reduced or discharged.
2. Secured Debt Arrears
If you're behind on your mortgage or car loan, the overdue amount (arrears) is paid through the plan while you resume regular payments directly to the lender. This is how Chapter 13 saves homes from foreclosure.
3. Unsecured Creditors (Percentage)
After priority and secured debts are covered, remaining disposable income goes to unsecured creditors (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans). The percentage varies — some plans pay 10%, others pay 100%. The minimum percentage is determined by the “liquidation test”: unsecured creditors must receive at least as much as they would in a Chapter 7 liquidation.
4. Trustee Commission
The Chapter 13 trustee takes a percentage of each payment (typically 7–10%) as an administrative fee. This is built into your plan payment, not an additional charge.
Chapter 13 vs Chapter 7 Comparison
Choosing between Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 depends on your income, assets, and financial goals. Here's how they compare:
| Factor | Chapter 13 | Chapter 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Regular income required; unsecured debts under $526,700 and secured under $1,580,125 | Must pass means test (income below state median or pass expense deductions) |
| Timeline | 3–5 year repayment plan | 3–6 months to discharge |
| Asset Retention | Keep all assets — pay creditors from income | Non-exempt assets may be liquidated |
| Home Protection | Can cure mortgage arrears and stop foreclosure | Cannot cure arrears; may lose home if equity exceeds exemption |
| Discharge Scope | Broader — can discharge some debts Chapter 7 cannot | Narrower discharge scope |
| Credit Impact | Stays on credit report 7 years from filing | Stays on credit report 10 years from filing |
| Attorney Fees | $2,500–$6,000 (often paid through plan) | $1,000–$3,500 (paid upfront) |
Advantages of Chapter 13
Chapter 13 offers several powerful tools that Chapter 7 does not:
Keep Your Home
Chapter 13's automatic stay immediately halts foreclosure proceedings. You can cure mortgage arrears (missed payments) over the 3–5 year plan while resuming regular payments — something Chapter 7 cannot do.
Cure Mortgage Arrears
If you're $15,000 behind on your mortgage, Chapter 13 spreads that $15,000 over your plan (e.g., ~$250/month on a 5-year plan) while you continue regular monthly mortgage payments.
Strip Junior Liens
If your home is worth less than what you owe on the first mortgage, Chapter 13 can 'strip off' a second mortgage or HELOC entirely, converting it to unsecured debt that may be partially or fully discharged.
Cramdown Car Loans
If you've had your car loan for more than 910 days (about 2.5 years), Chapter 13 lets you 'cram down' the loan to the car's current fair market value and reduce the interest rate — potentially saving thousands.
Protect Co-signers
Chapter 13's co-debtor stay protects co-signers on consumer debts from collection activity as long as the debt is being paid through your plan. Chapter 7 offers no such protection.
Broader Discharge
Chapter 13 can discharge certain debts that survive Chapter 7, including debts from willful property damage, debts from divorce property settlements (non-support), and some government fines.
How to Calculate Your Plan Payment
The Chapter 13 payment calculation follows a specific formula based on federal guidelines. Here's how it works at a high level:
- 1Calculate Current Monthly Income (CMI)
Add up your average monthly gross income from all sources over the 6 months before filing. This includes wages, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security, pension, and regular contributions from others in your household.
- 2Subtract IRS Allowable Expenses
Deduct living expenses using the IRS National Standards (food, clothing, personal care, housekeeping), Local Standards (housing and transportation costs by county), and Other Necessary Expenses (taxes, health insurance, childcare, court-ordered payments). These are the same standards used in the Chapter 7 means test.
- 3The Result = Monthly Disposable Income
Disposable income = CMI - Allowable Expenses. This is the minimum monthly amount that must go toward your Chapter 13 plan. The total payment may be higher if you have significant priority debts (taxes, support arrears) or secured debt arrears (mortgage catch-up) that must be paid in full through the plan.
- 4Apply the Liquidation Test
Your plan must pay unsecured creditors at least as much as they would receive in a Chapter 7 liquidation. If you have significant non-exempt assets, this “best interest of creditors” test may increase your payment above the disposable income floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edited and reviewed by our editorial team. Answers are general information — not legal advice.
How much will my Chapter 13 payment be?
Your Chapter 13 payment depends on your disposable income (gross income minus IRS-allowable living expenses), the amount of priority and secured debt you must repay in full, and the percentage your plan proposes to pay unsecured creditors. Most plans range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month. The trustee takes roughly 7–10% of each payment as an administrative fee.
How long is a Chapter 13 plan?
Chapter 13 plans last 3 to 5 years. If your household income is below your state's median income, you may qualify for a 3-year plan. If your income is at or above the median, the court typically requires a 5-year plan. No Chapter 13 plan can exceed 60 months.
Can I keep my house in Chapter 13?
Yes — keeping your home is one of the primary advantages of Chapter 13 over Chapter 7. Chapter 13 lets you cure mortgage arrears (missed payments) over the life of the plan while resuming regular mortgage payments. As long as you stay current on plan payments and ongoing mortgage obligations, the lender cannot foreclose.
What debts are not discharged in Chapter 13?
Chapter 13 cannot discharge most student loans, child support, alimony, criminal restitution, certain tax debts less than 3 years old, debts arising from fraud or willful injury, and death or personal injury claims from drunk driving. These debts survive the bankruptcy discharge and remain your responsibility after the plan ends.
Can I convert from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7?
Yes. You have an absolute right to convert your Chapter 13 case to Chapter 7 at any time, provided you haven't already converted from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13. However, converting to Chapter 7 means you may lose non-exempt assets and you must pass the means test. Consult a bankruptcy attorney before converting.
What happens if I miss a Chapter 13 payment?
Missing payments can result in your case being dismissed (losing bankruptcy protection) or converted to Chapter 7 by the trustee. If you anticipate difficulty making payments, contact your attorney immediately — you may be able to modify your plan, request a payment suspension (moratorium), or adjust the plan length to lower monthly amounts.
Do I need an attorney for Chapter 13?
While you can technically file Chapter 13 pro se (without an attorney), it is strongly discouraged. Chapter 13 requires a detailed repayment plan, means test calculations, and compliance with complex procedural rules. Over 95% of pro se Chapter 13 cases are dismissed. Attorney fees for Chapter 13 typically range from $2,500 to $6,000 and can usually be paid through the plan itself.
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