Chapter 7 · Dallas County (N.D. Tex.)
Discharge — $[##,###] in Credit Card Debt Eliminated
Above-median filer qualified after allowed expenses; no property lost.
Texas Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Wipe Out Debt. Keep Your Home, Car, and Retirement.
Chapter 7 can eliminate credit card, medical, and personal loan debt in about 3 to 4 months — and Texas exemptions protect more than most people expect.
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Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
A Clean Slate in About 3 to 4 Months
Chapter 7 is often called “liquidation,” but for most Texans nothing is sold. It wipes out unsecured debt — credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and many old judgments — usually in about 3 to 4 months.
A court-appointed trustee reviews your case and can sell only non-exempt property. Because Texas exemptions protect your homestead, your vehicles and personal property within set limits, and your retirement accounts, most Chapter 7 filers keep everything they own.
Chapter 7 at a Glance
What to expect from filing to discharge.
3–4 mo
Typical time to discharge
Most cases close with a discharge in about 3 to 4 months.
$338
Court filing fee
Can be paid in installments, or waived for low-income filers.
~1 mo
Meeting of creditors (341)
A brief meeting with the trustee, usually about a month after filing.
8 yrs
Between Chapter 7 discharges
You must wait 8 years after a Chapter 7 discharge to receive another.
Credit counseling within 180 days before filing and a debtor-education course before discharge are required. Fees are set by the federal courts and can change.
The Means Test
Eligibility for Chapter 7 starts with the means test.
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1
Compare your income
We average your household income over the 6 months before filing and compare it with the Texas median income for your household size.
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2
Below the median
If your average income is below the median, you generally qualify for Chapter 7.
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3
Above the median
You may still qualify after subtracting allowed expenses such as housing, transportation, taxes, and support payments.
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4
If you don’t qualify
Chapter 13 is often the better path — and it offers tools Chapter 7 doesn’t, like catching up on a mortgage.
Median-income figures are updated periodically, so we run the current numbers in your free consultation.
Keeping Your Home, Car, and Retirement
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1
Your home
The Texas homestead exemption has no dollar cap. If you are current on your mortgage, you can generally keep your home.
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2
Your car
Vehicles are protected within the Texas personal property limit ($50,000 single / $100,000 family, not counting liens). With a car loan, you can reaffirm the loan and keep paying, or surrender the car and walk away from the debt.
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3
Your retirement
Retirement accounts are generally protected and stay yours.
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4
The trustee and non-exempt property
The trustee can sell only property that no exemption covers. We review your assets before filing so there are no surprises.
Sample Chapter 7 Results
Chapter 7 · Bexar County (W.D. Tex.)
Medical Debt Discharged — Home Kept
$[###,###] in hospital bills eliminated; homestead fully protected.
Chapter 7 · El Paso County (W.D. Tex.)
Old Judgment Wiped Out
A $[##,###] creditor judgment was discharged along with credit card debt.
Chapter 7 · Collin County (E.D. Tex.)
Car Kept Through Reaffirmation
Client reaffirmed an affordable car loan and discharged all other unsecured debt.
Sample results for this demo template. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What to do right now
Before You File Chapter 7
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01
Don’t ignore court papers
Deadlines to answer a lawsuit keep running until you file. Bring every lawsuit, notice, and letter to your consultation.
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02
Don’t pay back family first
Repaying relatives or transferring property right before filing can be undone by the trustee.
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03
Stop using credit
No new charges or cash advances. Recent debts can be challenged and may not be discharged.
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04
Gather papers and call
Collect 6 months of pay stubs, tax returns, bills, and statements, then call for a free consultation.
Questions
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy FAQ
Every case is different. Call for answers about yours — the consultation is free.
(800) 555-0100No. Most Texas filers keep all of their property. The trustee can sell only non-exempt property, and Texas exemptions protect your homestead, your vehicles and personal property within set limits, and your retirement accounts.
We average your income over the 6 months before filing and compare it with the Texas median income for your household size. Above-median filers may still qualify after allowed expenses.
You can reaffirm the loan and keep the car while making payments, or surrender the car and discharge the remaining balance. We help you decide which makes sense.
Usually only for the meeting of creditors with the trustee, about a month after filing. Most are brief, and most filers never see a judge.
A Chapter 7 can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years, but many filers start rebuilding right away.
You must wait 8 years between Chapter 7 discharges.
Every Hour Matters. Let’s Start Now.
Foreclosure sales and garnishments don’t wait. Speak with a Texas bankruptcy attorney today — free and confidential.