CHAPTER 13 BANKRUPTCY IN VIRGINIA
How to File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Virginia:
14 STEPS TO KNOW
A step-by-step guide from our experienced Chapter 13 bankruptcy lawyer on How to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Virginia — stop foreclosure, keep your property, and repay debt through a manageable plan.
Updated 2026 · 7 min read
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Steps in Virginia: A Complete Guide
Buried in debt? You're not alone, and you have options. Chapter 13 bankruptcy lets Virginia families catch up on debt while keeping what matters most — your home, your car, your peace of mind.
Instead of selling off assets, you repay debt through a 3- to 5-year plan. The plan fits your income and your budget. It takes some patience and paperwork, but thousands of people have used Chapter 13 to get a fresh start. You can too.
Who qualifies for Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Chapter 13 works well for people who:
- Have regular income
- Want to keep property, like a home or car
- Need to catch up on a mortgage or car loan
- Earn too much to qualify for Chapter 7
Federal law sets debt limits for Chapter 13 eligibility. These limits change from time to time. A free consultation is the easiest way to find out if you qualify.
What Does Chapter 13 Do?
Once you file, the court puts an automatic stay in place right away. This stops most creditor calls, wage garnishments, repossessions, and foreclosure actions immediately.
From there, Chapter 13 helps you catch up on missed mortgage or car payments over time. In many cases, you keep your property while you pay.This makes Chapter 13 different from Chapter 7. Chapter 7 wipes out debt through liquidation. Chapter 13 restructures your debt into a plan you can manage.
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The 14 Steps: How to File Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Virginia
Below are the 14 steps you should know before filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Virginia, from your first document and the meeting with creditors to your confirmation hearing and final discharge. We also address life changes that you need to notify officials about and some of the most Frequently Asked Questions about Chapter 13 in Virginia.
1. Gather Your Required Documents
Collect the documents listed on your pink sheet. Drop them off at our office. There’s a mail slot in the front door for after-hours drop-offs. You don’t need an appointment to drop off paperwork.
2. Pay the Filing Fee
The Chapter 13 filing fee is currently $313. You can pay in person or by mail with cash, check, or money order. Our office is open 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Thursday, and 9 am to 3 pm on Friday. You can also mail a check or ask about an after-hours appointment. Debit card payments are available by phone or in person, but you’ll need to call our office directly first.
3. Complete Your Credit Counseling Course
Go to MoneySharp.org before you file. Use attorney code “Chesterfieldbk.” Pay the $10 course fee. MoneySharp sends your certificate straight to our office.
4. Sign Your Bankruptcy Petition
Meet with our office to review and sign your paperwork. Once signed, we file your case with the court.
5. Watch for Court Notices
After filing, we’ll send you details about your trustee meeting. The court sends the same notice by mail. Look for the meeting date and time in Section 7 of the court notice. We’ll also send two follow-up emails before your meeting.
6. Provide Your Bank Statements
Send in statements for every account. They need to show your balance on the exact date you filed. Screenshots work only if they show your name, account number, and the correct date. Most screenshots miss one of these, so an actual statement is safer.
7. Make Your First Trustee Payment
Your first plan payment is due within 30 days of filing. Don’t wait on this one — missing it can put your entire case at risk.
8. Attend Your Meeting of Creditors
This meeting happens in person at the federal courthouse in downtown Richmond. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Bring proof of your Social Security number, too — only a Social Security card or W-2 will work. Can’t make the date? Call us early so we can reschedule or, in rare cases, arrange a phone meeting.
9. Attend Your Confirmation Hearing
After your creditor meeting, a judge reviews your repayment plan at a confirmation hearing. Creditors can raise objections at this stage. Sometimes the plan gets adjusted before it’s approved. Once confirmed, your plan terms are locked in.
10. Provide Any Extra Documents
Sometimes the trustee asks for more paperwork after your meeting. Send it to our office as soon as you can.
11. Complete Your Debtor Education Class
This is your second required class. Complete it online through MoneySharp for another $10 fee.
12. Keep Up with Direct Payments
You’ll keep paying some bills directly during your plan — usually your mortgage or rent, car payment, and utilities. If your car loan runs through the plan itself, stay current. Falling behind puts your vehicle at risk.
13. Set Up Automatic Trustee Payments
Chose automatic payments through TFS Bill Pay? Double-check they’re set up correctly. Using payroll deduction instead? Confirm it starts by your second paycheck after the meeting. If it doesn’t, make a payment yourself and call us. We’ll send a new wage order to your employer.
14. Complete Your Plan and Get Your Discharge
This is the finish line. Once you finish all payments in your 3- to 5-year plan, the court discharges most remaining eligible debt. Your case is complete, and you move forward with a clean slate.
Life doesn’t always go as planned. Job loss or serious illness can change things mid-case. If that happens, a hardship discharge may be available. Call us early if your situation shifts — the sooner we know, the more options you have.
Life changes that need extra steps
Your Chapter 13 plan runs for years, and life happens. Stay reachable by mail, phone, and email the whole time. Courts can dismiss cases when they lose touch with a filer. Tell us right away if any of these happen:
You Change Jobs
Give us your new employer's payroll address and pay schedule, plus when your first paycheck arrives.
You Move
Send us your new address so we can update it with the court. Court notices go out by regular mail.
You Switch Banks
Update your TFS Bill Pay information so payments keep flowing correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Virginia
How long does chapter 13 take?
A Chapter 13 repayment plan lasts 3 to 5 years. The length depends on your income and how much you owe. Once you complete every payment in your plan, the court discharges your remaining eligible debt and your case closes.
Related Articles: Chapter 13 vs. Chapter 7: What’s the difference?
what's the difference between chapter 13 and chapter 7 in virginia?
Chapter 7 clears most debt through liquidation and usually wraps up in about 6 months. Chapter 13 spreads repayment over 3 to 5 years, letting you keep property like your home or car while you catch up on what you owe. People who earn too much for Chapter 7, or who want to stop a foreclosure, often choose Chapter 13 instead.
Will chapter 13 stop foreclosure on my house in virginia?
Filing for Chapter 13 puts an automatic stay in place right away. This stops foreclosure, repossession, and most collection actions the moment your case is filed. Your repayment plan then gives you a structured way to catch up on missed mortgage payments over time.
How much does it cost to file Chapter 13 in Virginia?
The Chapter 13 filing fee is currently $313. You’ll also pay $10 for a required credit counseling class before filing, and another $10 for a debtor education class after filing. Attorney fees are separate and can often be rolled into your repayment plan.
What happens at the Chapter 13 Confirmation Hearing?
The Chapter 13 filing fee is currently $313. You’ll also pay $10 for a required credit counseling class before filing, and another $10 for a debtor education class after filing. Attorney fees are separate and can often be rolled into your repayment plan.
What happens if I miss a Chapter 13 payment?
Missing a payment can put your case at risk of dismissal, so it’s important to contact your attorney right away if you’re falling behind. Depending on your situation, options like a plan modification may be available. If a serious hardship comes up, such as job loss or illness, a hardship discharge may also be worth exploring.
Why Work with Jeanne Hovenden
Jeanne Hovenden has helped Virginia families through bankruptcy for nearly 30 years. She’s a member of the National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees, which keeps her closely tied to how these cases actually get handled — not just how they look on paper.
Before law school, Jeanne worked in banking and bank regulation. That gives her a rare, practical view of how both creditors and trustees see your case. It’s the kind of insight that often catches options other attorneys miss.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHAPTER 3 BANKRUPTCY
Talk to Chesterfield Bankruptcy Law
Life doesn't always go as planned. Job loss or serious illness can change things mid-case. If that happens, a hardship discharge may be available.
Call us early if your situation shifts — the sooner we know, the more options you have.
804-706-1355
3601 W. Hundred Road, Unit 2, Chesterfield, VA 23831
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We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code.