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<h1>Converting Chapter 13 to 7<br>(or 7 to 13)</h1>
<p class="subtitle">Section 1307(a): almost absolute right to convert Ch.13 to Ch.7. Section 706(a): reverse.</p>
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<nav class="breadcrumb-nav" aria-label="Breadcrumb"><a href="https://1328f.org">Home</a><span class="separator">›</span><a href="https://chapter7vs13.org">Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Bankruptcy</a><span class="separator">›</span><span>Converting Chapter 13 to 7(or 7 to 13)</span></nav>
<div class="content">
<div class="section"><h2>Ch.13 to Ch.7: Section 1307(a)</h2>
<p>Under 11 U.S.C. section 1307(a), you have a nearly absolute right to convert your Chapter 13 case to <a href="https://whatischapter7.com/" title="Chapter 7">Chapter 7</a> at any time. The only restriction is that the case must not have been originally filed as <a href="https://whatischapter7.com/" title="Chapter 7">Chapter 7</a> and then converted to Chapter 13 - you cannot bounce back and forth between chapters. There is no additional filing fee to convert.</p>
<p>Courts have held that this right is unconditional. Even if the trustee or creditors object, the debtor's right to convert under section 1307(a) generally prevails. The only exception recognized by most courts is conversion in bad faith, such as hiding assets or abusing the process.</p>
<h3>When to Convert from Ch.13 to Ch.7</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Income dropped:</strong> You lost your job, had hours cut, or experienced a pay reduction that makes your plan payments unsustainable</li>
<li><strong>Plan failing:</strong> You have missed payments and the trustee has filed a motion to dismiss - converting preserves your right to a <a href="https://bankruptcydischarge.org/" title="discharge">discharge</a></li>
<li><strong>Medical emergency:</strong> An illness or injury has changed your financial picture permanently</li>
<li><strong>Divorce or separation:</strong> The loss of a second income makes plan completion impossible</li>
<li><strong>Now qualify for Ch.7:</strong> Your income has fallen below the <a href="https://meanstest.org" title="Bankruptcy Means Test - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">means test</a> threshold</li>
</ul>
<div class="callout green"><p><strong>Best exit strategy:</strong> If your <a href="https://chapter13plan.org/" title="Chapter 13 plan">Chapter 13 plan</a> is failing, conversion to Chapter 7 delivers a <a href="https://bankruptcydischarge.org/" title="discharge">discharge</a> in 3-4 months instead of losing everything to <a href="https://dismissedbankruptcy.org/" title="dismissal">dismissal</a>. <a href="https://dismissedbankruptcy.org/" title="dismissal">Dismissal</a> means no discharge, no protection, and all payments made to the trustee are gone.</p></div>
<h3>What Happens to Your Payments?</h3>
<p>When you convert from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7, the Chapter 13 trustee returns any undistributed funds to you. Payments already distributed to creditors are not recovered. Your attorney may charge additional fees for the Chapter 7 portion, though many attorneys include conversion in their original fee agreement.</p>
</div>
<div class="section"><h2>Ch.7 to Ch.13: Section 706(a)</h2>
<p>Under 11 U.S.C. section 706(a), you have a one-time right to convert your Chapter 7 case to Chapter 13. This right can only be exercised once, and the conversion must be filed before your Chapter 7 discharge is entered.</p>
<p>Converting from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 is particularly useful when the Chapter 7 trustee identifies non-exempt assets that would be liquidated. By converting, you keep all your property and repay creditors through a 3-5 year plan instead.</p>
<h3>When to Convert from Ch.7 to Ch.13</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Assets at risk:</strong> The trustee has identified property you want to keep that exceeds your state's <a href="https://bankruptcyexemptionsbystate.com" title="Bankruptcy Exemptions by State - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exemptions</a></li>
<li><strong>Mortgage arrears:</strong> You need to cure a mortgage default and Chapter 7 does not allow that</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://meanstest.org/" title="means test">Means test</a> challenge:</strong> The U.S. Trustee has filed a motion to dismiss under the <a href="https://meanstest.org" title="Bankruptcy Means Test - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">means test</a>, and converting resolves the issue</li>
<li><strong>Car loan arrears:</strong> You are behind on a car payment and need the <a href="https://chapter13plan.org/" title="Chapter 13 plan">Chapter 13 plan</a> to cure the default</li>
</ul>
<div class="callout orange"><p><strong>One-way street:</strong> If you convert from Chapter 7 to Chapter 13 and the Chapter 13 later fails, you cannot convert back to Chapter 7. Your only options at that point are to dismiss the case or seek a <a href="https://bankruptcyhardship.org" title="Hardship Discharge - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hardship discharge</a>.</p></div>
<p>The <a href="https://howmuchdoesbankruptcycost.com" title="How Much Does Bankruptcy Cost - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cost implications</a> are significant. Converting from 7 to 13 means paying attorney fees for the Chapter 13, plan payments for 3-5 years, and the standing trustee's commission (typically 7-10% of plan payments). Weigh this against the value of the assets you would lose in Chapter 7.</p>
</div>
<div class="section"><h2>Conversion vs. Dismissal</h2>
<p>When your bankruptcy case is not going well, you generally face three options: convert to the other chapter, dismiss the case, or seek a <a href="https://bankruptcyhardship.org/" title="hardship discharge">hardship discharge</a>. Here is how they compare:</p>
<table class="data-table">
<thead><tr><th>Option</th><th>Result</th><th>Discharge?</th></tr></thead>
<tbody>
<tr><td>Convert Ch.13 to Ch.7</td><td class="good">Case continues under Ch.7 rules</td><td class="good">Yes, in 3-4 months</td></tr>
<tr><td>Dismiss Ch.13</td><td class="bad">Case ends, no protection</td><td class="bad">No</td></tr>
<tr><td><a href="https://bankruptcyhardship.org/" title="hardship discharge">Hardship discharge</a></td><td>Partial plan completion accepted</td><td class="good">Yes, limited scope</td></tr>
<tr><td>Convert Ch.7 to Ch.13</td><td>Case continues under Ch.13 rules</td><td class="warn">Yes, after 3-5 year plan</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Conversion is almost always better than dismissal because it preserves your chance at a discharge. Dismissal leaves you with no debt relief and no <a href="https://automaticstay.org" title="Automatic Stay in Bankruptcy - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">automatic stay</a> protection.</p>
</div>
<div class="section"><h2>Hardship Discharge</h2>
<p>If you cannot complete your Chapter 13 plan and do not qualify for Chapter 7 conversion, a hardship discharge under <a href="https://section1328.org" title="Section 1328 Discharge - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">section 1328(b)</a> may be available. This is a narrow but important safety valve.</p>
<p>To qualify for a <a href="https://bankruptcyhardship.org" title="Hardship Discharge in Bankruptcy - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hardship discharge</a>, you must show three things:</p>
<ol>
<li>The failure to complete the plan is due to circumstances beyond your control (illness, disability, job loss)</li>
<li>Unsecured creditors have received at least as much as they would have in a Chapter 7 liquidation (the "best interest" test)</li>
<li>Modification of the plan is not practicable</li>
</ol>
<p>The hardship discharge is more limited than a full Chapter 13 discharge. It does not include the "superdischarge" protections, so debts that would be <a href="https://nondischargeable.org/" title="nondischargeable">nondischargeable</a> in Chapter 7 remain <a href="https://nondischargeable.org/" title="nondischargeable">nondischargeable</a> under a hardship discharge as well. See <a href="https://bankruptcyhardship.org" title="Hardship Discharge in Bankruptcy - Open Bankruptcy Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bankruptcyhardship.org</a> for the full requirements.</p>
</div>
<div class="section">
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q" onclick="this.parentElement.classList.toggle('open')">Does converting from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 cost anything?</div>
<div class="faq-a">There is no additional court filing fee to convert from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7. However, your attorney may charge additional fees for handling the Chapter 7 portion of the case. Some attorneys include conversion in their original fee agreement.</div>
</div>
<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q" onclick="this.parentElement.classList.toggle('open')">Can I convert to Chapter 7 if I do not pass the <a href="https://meanstest.org/" title="means test">means test</a>?</div>
<div class="faq-a">Yes. Under section 1307(a), the right to convert is nearly absolute regardless of means test results. However, the U.S. Trustee may file a motion to dismiss the converted Chapter 7 case if your income exceeds the means test threshold.</div>
</div>
<div class="faq-item">
<div class="faq-q" onclick="this.parentElement.classList.toggle('open')">How long does the conversion process take?</div>
<div class="faq-a">Filing the motion to convert takes a few days. Once the court enters the conversion order, the case proceeds under the new chapter's rules. For a conversion to Chapter 7, discharge typically follows in 3-4 months after the conversion date.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="section"><h2>Related</h2><ul><li><a href="/comparison.html">Comparison</a></li><li><a href="https://meanstest.org">meanstest.org</a></li><li><a href="/keep-property.html">Keep Your Property</a></li><li><a href="/credit-impact.html">Credit Impact</a></li></ul></div>
<div class="section">
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#888">Last updated: March 2026. Not legal advice.</p>
<span class="rules-badge">Part of the Bankruptcy Transparency Network</span>
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<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/chapter-13" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none">11 U.S.C. Chapter 13</a><br><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Cornell LII - full Chapter 13 text</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/11/1328" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none">11 U.S.C. Section 1328</a><br><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Cornell LII - discharge provisions</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/services-forms/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics/chapter-13-bankruptcy-basics" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none">Chapter 13 Basics</a><br><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">USCourts.gov</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-the-difference-between-chapter-7-and-chapter-13-bankruptcy-en-1953/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none">CFPB: Chapter 7 vs 13</a><br><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">CFPB comparison</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/bankruptcy-forms/chapter-13-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none">Chapter 13 Plan Form</a><br><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">Official form</span></li>
<li style="margin-bottom:0.5rem"><a href="https://www.lawhelp.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" style="color:#58a6ff;font-size:0.9rem;text-decoration:none">Find Free Legal Aid</a><br><span style="color:#7d8590;font-size:0.8rem">LSC legal aid finder</span></li>
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