Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the most common form of bankruptcy filed by individuals in the United States. It is often referred to as "straight bankruptcy" or "liquidation bankruptcy" because it involves the potential sale of a debtor's property to pay off creditors . However, for the vast majority of individual filers, Chapter 7 is a "no-asset" case, meaning they don't actually lose any property because their belongings fall under "exemptions" protected by law .

The Means Test: The Gatekeeper of Chapter 7

The most critical hurdle in a Chapter 7 filing is the Means Test. Introduced by the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005, this test was designed to ensure that only those who truly cannot afford to repay their debts can access the total discharge of Chapter 7 .

Step 1: The Median Income Comparison

The first part of the Means Test is a simple comparison. The court looks at your "Current Monthly Income" (CMI), which is your average gross income over the six months leading up to your filing. This includes almost all sources of money:

Wages, salaries, and tips
Bonuses and commissions
Business income
Rental income
Interest and dividends
Pension and retirement income (though Social Security is often excluded)

This monthly average is multiplied by 12 to get an annual figure. If this figure is below the median income for a household of your size in your state, you pass automatically. You are eligible for Chapter 7, and no further complex math is required .

Step 2: The Disposable Income Calculation

If your income is above the state median, you don't automatically fail. Instead, you move to the second part of the test, which calculates your "disposable income." This involves taking your gross income and subtracting "allowable expenses." These expenses aren't necessarily what you actually spend, but rather standardized amounts determined by the IRS for things like:

Food and clothing
Housing and utilities
Transportation costs
Health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses
Taxes
Mandatory payroll deductions (like union dues)

If, after subtracting these allowed expenses, you have enough money left over to pay at least a portion of your unsecured debts, the court may decide you have the "means" to repay. In this case, you are barred from Chapter 7 and must look toward Chapter 13 .

The Liquidation Reality: Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Assets

The word "liquidation" sounds terrifying, but it is important to distinguish between what the Trustee can take and what you are allowed to keep. Every state (and the federal government) has a list of "exemptions"—categories of property that are off-limits to creditors .

Common Exempt Assets (What You Keep)

In most cases, debtors can keep the "necessities of life." While specific dollar limits vary wildly by state, common exemptions include:

Homestead Exemption: A certain amount of equity in your primary residence.
Motor Vehicle Exemption: Equity in one car (often up to a few thousand dollars).
Household Goods: Furniture, appliances, and clothing.
Tools of the Trade: Equipment you need for your job.
Retirement Accounts: Most 401(k)s and IRAs are fully protected.
Public Benefits: Social Security, unemployment, and veteran's benefits .

Non-Exempt Assets (What Might Be Sold)

If you own luxury items or significant "extra" property, the Trustee may seize and sell them to pay your creditors. Examples include:

A second home or vacation property.
Expensive collections (stamps, coins, rare art).
High-value jewelry (beyond a basic wedding ring).
Bank accounts or investment accounts (non-retirement).
A second vehicle or a boat .

The Chapter 7 Timeline: A Step-by-Step Guide

Chapter 7 is prized for its speed. The entire process usually takes four to six months from filing to discharge .

Credit Counseling: You must complete a course from an approved agency within 180 days before filing. This ensures you've explored alternatives .
The Petition: You file a massive packet of forms detailing your finances. This triggers the Automatic Stay .
The Trustee Appointment: The court appoints a Trustee to review your paperwork and look for non-exempt assets .
The Meeting of Creditors (341 Meeting): About a month after filing, you attend a meeting where the Trustee (and occasionally creditors) asks you questions under oath about your finances .
Financial Management Course: After filing, you must take a second "debtor education" course to learn how to manage money post-bankruptcy .
The Discharge: If no one objects, the court issues a discharge order, legally erasing your obligation to pay back dischargeable debts .

Debts That Never Go Away

It is a dangerous myth that Chapter 7 erases all debt. The law lists 19 categories of "non-dischargeable" debts. Even after a successful Chapter 7, you will likely still owe:

Student Loans: Extremely difficult to discharge unless you can prove "undue hardship."
Child Support and Alimony: These are never erasable.
Recent Taxes: Most income taxes owed for the last three years remain.
Criminal Fines and Restitution: Debts arising from illegal acts or drunk driving accidents.
Debts from Fraud: If you lied on a credit application just before filing, that debt may stay .

Pros and Cons of the Chapter 7 Path

Pros:

Speed: You can be debt-free in under half a year.
Total Discharge: Most unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills) is completely wiped out.
No Repayment Plan: You don't have to hand over your future income to the court .

Cons:

Asset Loss: You risk losing non-exempt property.
Credit Damage: It stays on your credit report for 10 years—the longest possible duration.
No Help for Secured Debt: Chapter 7 won't help you "catch up" on a mortgage. If you're behind, the bank can still foreclose once the stay is lifted .