New York Bankruptcy Statistics

If you are considering Chapter 13 bankruptcy in New York, these statistics should inform your decision:

• 59.0% of Chapter 13 cases in S.D.N.Y. are dismissed. That means many filers spent months or years making payments and got no debt relief at the end.
• 24.9% of filers had a previous bankruptcy case. This "prior filer" rate suggests many people are cycling through the system without achieving lasting relief.
• An estimated 457 cases may involve potential 1328(f) eligibility issues - filings where the debtor had a prior discharge within the statutory time bar.
• Quality of representation matters enormously. The data shows that representation quality is one of the strongest predictors of plan completion.

The Prior Filer Problem

24.9% of S.D.N.Y. filers had a prior bankruptcy case. This cycling through the system suggests the first filing failed to provide lasting relief - and raises questions about whether filers were properly screened under section 1328(f).

457 Potential 1328(f) Violations

An estimated 457 cases may involve potential eligibility violations under 11 U.S.C. section 1328(f) - filings where the debtor had a prior discharge within the statutory time bar and could never have received a new discharge. These cases consume court resources and cost consumers time and money for a legally impossible outcome.