Bankruptcy Guidance · Free · No Account Required
Understand your options.
Find your path forward.
Bankruptcy filings rose 11% in 2025. If you're overwhelmed by debt, you're not alone — and you have options. This free tool helps you understand what bankruptcy is, whether it might apply to you, and what to do next. We're not lawyers. We're your sanity agent.
- 574,314
- Bankruptcy filings in 2025
- 11%
- Year-over-year increase
- ~$338
- Chapter 7 filing fee
- Free
- This guidance tool
How It Works
A 5-minute guided intake that ends with a clear next step.
Tell us about your situation
Answer 5 plain-English questions about your debts, income, and assets. No legal jargon, no account required.
Get your path recommendation
We'll tell you whether Chapter 7, Chapter 13, or an alternative may apply — and why. Framed as education, not legal advice.
Know what to ask next
Get a checklist of documents, a list of questions for an attorney, and links to free legal aid in your state.
The Two Main Chapters
Chapter 7 vs. Chapter 13 — at a glance.
| Chapter 7 — Fresh Start | Chapter 13 — Repayment Plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Low income, mostly unsecured debt (credit cards, medical bills), few assets | Regular income, want to keep home or car, behind on mortgage payments |
| Timeline | 3–5 months | 3–5 years |
| Outcome | Most unsecured debts discharged | Catch up on arrears, discharge remaining debt |
| DIY filing | Possible with preparation | Rarely advisable — very complex |
| Key risk | Asset loss if non-exempt property exists | Plan failure leads to dismissal |
Why self-filing is riskier than it sounds
- Pro se Chapter 7 filers have less than a 50% discharge rate without help
- Pro se Chapter 13 cases reach discharge only ~2% of the time
- Mistakes can cause dismissal, asset loss, or inability to discharge debt
- Court employees and judges cannot give you legal advice
This is not meant to scare you — it's meant to help you make an informed decision. Many people do file successfully on their own. Many others benefit from at least a one-time attorney consultation.
When You Need More Than a Guide
Some situations need a real attorney.
If you own a home, have a car loan, face a garnishment, have business debts, or are considering Chapter 13 — a one-hour attorney consultation can save you thousands and protect assets you didn't know were at risk.
When attorney representation is especially important
- Chapter 13 cases — complex, 3–5 year plans
- Foreclosure or repossession risk
- Wage garnishment already in progress
- Non-exempt assets (home equity, investments)
- Prior bankruptcy within 8 years
Free Guides
Everything you need to understand your options.
Chapter 7 Guide
The fresh start chapter — how it works, who qualifies, and what to expect
Read the guide →Chapter 13 Guide
The repayment plan — when it's right and what it requires
Read the guide →Means Test Explainer
Understand whether your income qualifies you for Chapter 7
Read the guide →Document Checklist
30+ items across 5 categories to gather before you file
Read the guide →Ready to understand your situation?
The Sanity Agent quiz takes 5 minutes. No account, no jargon, no judgment.