Both secured and unsecured debt can be discharged in Chapter 13 bankruptcies, but non-dischargeable unsecured debts cannot be discharged in California.
If you have secured credit cards, where you've deposited a security deposit as collateral, you may be able to keep using them during and after bankruptcy, especially in Chapter 13. These cards are treated differently because they are backed by your deposit and do not represent new credit extended to you.
What Are the Current Chapter 13 Debt Limits? The debt limitations set for cases filed between April 1, 2022, and March 31, 2025, are $1,395,875 of secured debt, and $465,275 of unsecured debt.
Chapter 13 Eligibility Any individual, even if self-employed or operating an unincorporated business, is eligible for chapter 13 relief as long as the individual's combined total secured and unsecured debts are less than $2,750,000 as of the date of filing for bankruptcy relief.
Credit card debt is by far the most common type of unsecured debt. If you fail to make credit card payments, the card issuer cannot repossess the items you purchased.
Chapter 13 Eligibility Any individual, even if self-employed or operating an unincorporated business, is eligible for chapter 13 relief as long as the individual's combined total secured and unsecured debts are less than $2,750,000 as of the date of filing for bankruptcy relief. 11 U.S.C. § 109(e).
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is generally more damaging to credit initially because it involves liquidating assets and stays on your credit report for 10 years, whereas Chapter 13 stays for 7 years and demonstrates an effort to repay debts through a structured plan, which may soften the impact over time.
If you file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your secured debt may be discharged, but the lender is also able to repossess the property that secured the debt. In other words, if you have a mortgage on your home and file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the mortgage debt may be discharged but the lender can take back your home.