This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Emil J. Fleysher following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. Emil J. Fleysher, the Founding Partner, has 15+ years of legal experience as a bankruptcy attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
When facing debt you can’t afford to pay, Chapter 13 may give you a real solution. Instead of wiping out everything immediately like Chapter 7, Chapter 13 lets you repay what you can over time in a way that works with your income and expenses. However, one of the most common questions people have is: How much will my monthly Chapter 13 payment be? This is where a Chapter 13 bankruptcy calculator can help.
Fleysher Law Bankruptcy & Debt Attorneys uses tools and experience to give you a clear, customized estimate based on your unique financial situation. While online calculators can give a rough idea of your plan payment, only a qualified attorney can review your actual income, debts, and property to build a plan that meets court requirements and protects what matters most.
Whether you’re behind on a mortgage payment, owe unsecured debt, or just need a real path forward, we’re here to guide you.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy calculator is a helpful tool designed to give you an early idea of what your monthly payments might look like if you choose to file under Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code. These calculators use common financial inputs like monthly income, living expenses, and total debt to estimate how much you may need to repay over a three- to five-year payment plan, which is also known as the applicable commitment period.
The calculator takes into account your secured debt (such as car loans and mortgage arrears), your unsecured debt (like medical bills, personal loans, and credit cards), and the value of any personal property or non-exempt assets that might affect your repayment.
While this tool can provide a starting point, you must remember that no calculator can fully predict how the bankruptcy court will handle your specific case. That’s why it’s best used in combination with advice from a qualified attorney.
The calculator estimates your monthly plan payment by reviewing your monthly income, subtracting your living expenses (such as rent, food, transportation, and payroll deductions), and identifying how much disposable income you have left. That remaining amount is what you are expected to pay into your Chapter 13 plan each month.
It also factors in required payments to secured creditors, like car loans, mortgage arrears, or a second mortgage, and may add in back taxes or child support if those debts exist. The goal is to ensure that your plan complies with legal standards while giving you room to manage basic needs.
Some calculators also estimate trustee fees, attorney fees, and the percentage your unsecured creditors receive over the commitment period. Though these numbers are helpful, real results depend on detailed court review, your specific exemptions, and how your actual expenses compare to IRS standards.
While a calculator can give you a general idea of your minimum monthly payment, it cannot guarantee what your final payment amount will be. That’s because these tools rely on standard inputs and calculator assumptions, but every financial situation is different.
For example, your personal property might be valued above fair market levels, or your income exceeds the state median income, which could trigger a longer applicable commitment period.
In addition, only a court can approve your proposed plan based on the full details of your case, including your tax debt, secured claims, and any history of missed payments or prior filings. Many people also qualify for debt relief options or special circumstances that a simple calculator cannot account for. This is why the calculator should be used as a starting point — not a final answer — and why speaking with a skilled attorney is essential before you begin filing.
Your total secured and unsecured debt play a major role in determining how much you will pay each month. Debts like car loans, mortgage arrears, child support, and tax debt must often be paid in full over the life of the plan. The more debt you owe, the higher your monthly payments may be.
Your monthly income, after subtracting allowed monthly and actual expenses, helps the court calculate your disposable income. If your income is high or your expenses are lower than what the IRS allows, your payment plan will be higher. The court compares your earnings to your median income, so it's best to provide complete documentation of your current and past earnings.
If you own non-exempt assets, like valuable personal property, real estate, or retirement savings above the allowed limits, the court may require your unsecured creditors to receive as much as those items are worth at fair market value. This can raise your minimum plan payment even if your income is modest.
Most people pay over a three- to five-year commitment period. If your income exceeds the median for your state, you may be required to pay for the full five years. A longer plan spreads out payments, but it also increases total costs like trustee fees and attorney fees.
If you haven’t filed recent income taxes or if you owe priority tax debt, that amount must be paid during your plan. Failing to file income tax returns on time can also delay or block approval of your case.
The calculator estimates your disposable income by subtracting your living expenses from your monthly income. This number is critical in determining your minimum monthly payment.
It includes your secured loans, such as car loans, home loans, and arrears. This ensures that creditors with collateral are paid over time, allowing you to keep your assets while catching up.
These debts include medical bills, credit cards, personal loans, and other unsecured debt. The calculator provides a percentage that your unsecured creditors receive, based on income, plan duration, and asset values.
Most calculators factor in court-mandated trustee fees and administrative costs, which are based on a small percentage of your plan payment. These are paid over time and included in your total.
Before using any tool, collect your payroll deductions, monthly bills, secured debt, tax debt, and unsecured debt. This ensures accuracy when inputting details.
Always be honest and precise. Enter your monthly income, household size, living expenses, and all debts. Inaccurate entries can lead to false expectations.
Try different outcomes: include or exclude child support, adjust car loan terms, or test changes in income. This gives you a range of what to expect, depending on how the court might evaluate your case.
A calculator can’t measure whether your plan meets the bankruptcy code, handles special debts like personal injury settlements, or qualifies for exceptions. Legal outcomes are based on more than numbers.
A lawyer helps protect your retirement savings, personal property, and other non-exempt assets by applying proper exemptions. Mistakes here can lead to asset loss or plan denial.
An attorney will guide you through the bankruptcy process, help prepare your proposed plan, and represent you in court. This improves your chance of success and helps avoid rejected filings or delays.
A Chapter 13 bankruptcy calculator is useful for early planning. It helps you understand what a payment plan might look like based on typical debt and income.
A bankruptcy attorney provides a clear review of your situation, including assets, secured claims, and special debts, ensuring your plan fits your needs and the law.
Online tools can’t evaluate how a personal injury claim or past bankruptcy filings may affect your plan. Full legal analysis is always best.
1. Will I Have to Pay Interest on My Debts in Chapter 13?
In most cases, you do not have to pay interest on your unsecured debt during your Chapter 13 plan. However, you may be required to pay interest on certain secured debts, like automobile debt or mortgage arrears, depending on your lender and the details of your plan. Some mortgage lenders may also continue to charge interest on your regular mortgage payment, which is handled separately from the repayment plan.
2. What Role Does Disposable Income Play in My Plan Payment?
Your disposable income, which is calculated by subtracting your necessary expenses from your monthly income, directly affects how much you must pay to your creditors each month. The more disposable income you have, the higher your plan payment may be. This ensures that you are repaying what you can afford under bankruptcy law while still covering your essential needs.
3. Do I Need to Take Credit Counseling Before Filing for Bankruptcy?
Yes. Before filing for bankruptcy, you must complete a credit counseling session from an approved agency. This step is required by law and helps you understand your financial situation, review other debt relief options, and confirm whether bankruptcy is the right step. If you skip this step, the court may reject your case.
4. What if I Have a High Amount of Automobile or Unsecured Debt?
If you have significant automobile debt or total unsecured debt, your plan will likely need to address how much of that debt can be paid over your applicable commitment period. Some debts must be paid in full, while others may only receive a portion, depending on your disposable income and the value of such assets. A lawyer can help determine how your debt will be prioritized.
5. When Do I Begin Making Payments in Chapter 13?
You must begin making payments no later than 30 days after filing for bankruptcy, even before the court officially confirms your plan. Your attorney will explain where and how to send payments. It’s also important to have a strong attorney-client relationship, as your lawyer will guide you through adjustments if your financial situation changes or if questions arise during the plan. Chapter 13 can also help you lock in a low interest rate on secured debts, providing relief that lasts beyond the case.
Whether you're considering Chapter 13 to stop foreclosure, manage debt, or protect assets, it’s important to get clear answers based on your real numbers. Fleysher Law Bankruptcy & Debt Attorneys helps you understand how Chapter 13 applies to your life, not just in theory, but in practice. While calculators are helpful, they can’t replace the value of speaking to someone who knows the law and can explain your options clearly.
We use every tool available, including our own case-based calculators and legal experience, to estimate your plan payment, review your personal property, evaluate your secured loans, and create a strategy that works. If you're facing financial distress and need reliable help, we’ll walk you through every step with care and precision.
Call today for a free consultation with a trusted Florida bankruptcy lawyer and learn how to take back control of your future.
Emil specializes in consumer bankruptcy, debt settlement, and mortgage modification, offering a holistic approach to solving mortgage and debt problems. Emil listens to clients, understands their circumstances and goals, and helps them make the right choices by presenting all options and contingencies.
He is dedicated to helping South Floridians regain their financial freedom from overwhelming debt caused by high interest credit cards, bad mortgage loans, and uninsured medical expenses.
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