When should I convert my chapter 13 bankruptcy to a chapter 7? Loss of employment loss of income plan is no longer feasible. You no longer need save your home or cars.
Section 348 of the bankruptcy code says that the qualification for a chapter 7 discharge is the petition date and not the conversion date. Therefore if you didn’t qualify for a chapter 7 filing on the date your chapter 13 is filed you cannot convert to a 7
However if it has been at least 8 years since you filed your prior chapter 7 you can dismiss your chapter 13 and then filed a brand new chapter 7
Examples
Mindy filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy on August 1 2007. The case was discharged on February 1 2008 and was closed the same day. Mindy filed her present chapter 13 case on August 5, 2011. On August 2 2013 Mindy filed a motion to convert her case to a chapter 7. The case cannot be converted to a chapter 7 because Mindy did not qualify for a chapter 7 discharge on the date of her chapter 13 filing. Mindy can however dismiss her chapter 13 on August 2 2013 and filed a new chapter 7 on August 3 2013.