Data-driven bankruptcy news and analysis from the Open Bankruptcy Project. Empirical research covering 4.9 million federal cases across all 94 judicial districts. https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/ 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org Copyright 2026 Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/favicon.svg /og-image.svg https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/what-happens-to-your-bank-account-in-bankruptcy.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Your bank accounts are not automatically frozen in bankruptcy, but the trustee can access non-exempt funds. Learn about exemptions, set-off risk, and practical tips.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/does-bankruptcy-affect-your-spouse.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Filing bankruptcy does not automatically affect your spouse, but co-signed debts, joint accounts, and community property create important exceptions.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/how-much-debt-to-file-bankruptcy.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

There is no minimum debt requirement to file bankruptcy, but practical thresholds and the means test determine whether it makes financial sense.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/bankruptcy-vs-debt-settlement.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

A side-by-side comparison of bankruptcy and debt settlement covering cost, timeline, credit impact, and when each approach makes the most sense.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/can-i-keep-my-tax-refund-in-bankruptcy.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Whether you can keep your tax refund depends on the chapter, timing, and your state's exemption laws.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/what-debts-survive-bankruptcy.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Most debts are discharged in bankruptcy, but some survive. A plain-language guide to Section 523(a) and nondischargeable debts.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/how-long-does-chapter-7-take.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Most Chapter 7 cases go from filing to discharge in about 3 to 4 months. Here is the timeline, milestone by milestone.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/what-is-a-bankruptcy-trustee.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Bankruptcy trustees play different roles depending on the chapter. Learn what Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 trustees actually do.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/can-you-file-bankruptcy-more-than-once.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Yes, but waiting periods apply. Complete guide to 727(a)(8), 1328(f), and cross-chapter refiling timelines.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/blog/what-happens-when-chapter-13-is-dismissed.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

Dismissal ends bankruptcy protection and lets creditors resume collections. Learn the consequences and how Section 109(g) may affect refiling.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/btn-network-launch-2026.html 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z 2026-04-09T12:00:00Z

The Open Bankruptcy Project has launched a network of more than 160 free educational websites covering every major bankruptcy topic, with interactive tools, bilingual content in English and Spanish, and data from 4.9 million federal cases. No ads, no attorney referrals, no paywalls.

Open Bankruptcy Project https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/estimated-1328f-violations-by-district.html 2026-04-03T12:00:00Z 2026-04-03T12:00:00Z

An estimated 75,764 Section 1328(f) timing violations have occurred nationally, and no federal court is systematically screening for them. District-by-district data from 4.9 million cases.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/where-chapter-13-fails-worst-districts-2024.html 2026-04-03T11:00:00Z 2026-04-03T11:00:00Z

National analysis of Chapter 13 plan completion rates reveals the 15 worst-performing federal districts from 2020-2024, with dismissal rates exceeding 60% in some courts.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/repeat-bankruptcy-filers-by-district-2024.html 2026-04-03T10:00:00Z 2026-04-03T10:00:00Z

District-by-district data on repeat bankruptcy filings shows approximately one-third of Chapter 13 filers have filed previously, raising questions about system effectiveness.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/attorney-fee-transparency-bankruptcy.html 2026-04-02T14:00:00Z 2026-04-02T14:00:00Z

Fee disclosures in consumer bankruptcy happen after retention, lack standardization, and sit behind PACER's paywall. Open Bankruptcy Project data reveals significant concentration in the consumer bankruptcy bar.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/bankruptcy-filings-by-state-2026.html 2026-04-02T13:00:00Z 2026-04-02T13:00:00Z

Comprehensive state-by-state breakdown of bankruptcy filing rates for 2026, with data on Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 distribution across all 50 states.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/chapter-13-completion-rates-by-district.html 2026-04-02T12:00:00Z 2026-04-02T12:00:00Z

National analysis shows Chapter 13 plan completion rates vary dramatically by federal district, ranging from under 20% to over 60%, driven by local legal culture and fee structures.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/means-test-april-2026-median-income.html 2026-04-02T11:00:00Z 2026-04-02T11:00:00Z

Updated median income figures for April 2026 raise the bar for the Chapter 7 means test, potentially pushing more filers toward Chapter 13.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team https://openbankruptcyproject.org/news/pro-se-bankruptcy-filings-data.html 2026-04-02T10:00:00Z 2026-04-02T10:00:00Z

Data analysis of pro se (self-represented) bankruptcy filings across federal districts reveals patterns in filing rates, outcomes, and the gap between represented and unrepresented debtors.

Open Bankruptcy Project Research Team