When most people think about bankruptcy, they hear about:

• Chapter 7 (wipe out debt)
• Chapter 13 (repayment plan)

But a common follow-up question is:

“Is there another chapter if I don’t qualify for 7 or 13?”

The answer is yes — but it depends on your situation.

Let’s break down the options.

📌 The Main Consumer Chapters

🔹 Chapter 7 – Liquidation

• No debt limit
• Income-based qualification (means test)
• Typically 3–4 month process
• Unsecured debts discharged

Best for people with limited income and few non-exempt assets.

🔹 Chapter 13 – Repayment Plan

• Has debt limits
• 3–5 year court-supervised repayment plan
• Allows you to catch up on mortgage or car arrears
• Protects assets

Best for people with steady income who need time to cure defaults.

🏢 Chapter 11 – Not Just for Corporations

Yes — individuals can file Chapter 11.

Chapter 11 is typically used by:

• Business owners
• High-income earners
• Individuals who exceed Chapter 13 debt limits
• People with complex financial structures

It allows restructuring of large debt amounts.

However:

• It is more expensive
• It is more procedurally complex
• It involves more court oversight

🔄 Subchapter V (Small Business Reorganization)

There is also a streamlined version of Chapter 11 called Subchapter V.

It was designed to make Chapter 11 more accessible for:

• Small business owners
• Individuals with business-related debt
• People who exceed Chapter 13 limits

Subchapter V:

• Is faster than traditional Chapter 11
• Reduces administrative costs
• Removes certain creditor voting requirements
• Focuses on reorganization rather than liquidation

For high-debt individuals, this can be a powerful alternative.

🧾 Other Bankruptcy Chapters (Less Common for Individuals)

There are technically other chapters, but they apply in limited situations:

🔹 Chapter 12

For family farmers and fishermen only.

🔹 Chapter 9

For municipalities (cities, counties, public entities).

🔹 Chapter 15

For cross-border international insolvency cases.

Most consumers will never use these.

🤔 So Is There “Another Chapter” For You?

If someone says:

“You don’t qualify for Chapter 7 or 13.”

The next step is usually to evaluate:

• Whether Chapter 11 makes sense
• Whether Subchapter V applies
• Whether eligibility was properly calculated
• Whether strategic timing could change qualification

Bankruptcy law is not just two chapters.

But the right chapter depends heavily on:

• Income
• Debt structure
• Type of debt
• Assets
• Business involvement

📌 The Bottom Line

Yes — there are other chapters beyond 7 and 13.

For most individuals, the only realistic alternatives are:

• Chapter 11
• Subchapter V (if business-related debt is involved)

If you’ve been told you don’t qualify for 7 or 13, don’t assume bankruptcy is impossible. It may simply require a different approach.

The key is getting a full legal analysis of your numbers before ruling anything out.