Do You Qualify for Chapter 13?
Chapter 13 is usually a fit for people who have steady income and want a court-approved plan to catch up on debts over time. Qualification depends on your income, your budget, your debt levels, and whether a realistic monthly plan payment can be built.
- Regular income: Wages, self-employment, benefits, or other reliable income can support a monthly plan payment.
- Budget and plan payment: Your income minus allowed living costs helps determine what you can afford each month.
- Priority debts: Some debts may need to be paid in full through the plan (for example, certain taxes or support obligations).
- Past filings: Recent bankruptcies can affect timing and, in some cases, how protections apply.
If you tell us your income, household size, and main debts, we can give you a clear next step. Schedule a free consultation.
Will You Lose Your House or Car?
Many people file Chapter 13 specifically to try to keep a house or car and catch up on missed payments. Whether that works depends on your equity, your loan status, and whether the monthly payment fits your budget.
- Catching up on missed payments: Past-due mortgage or car payments are often paid back over time through the plan.
- Staying current going forward: In many cases you keep making regular payments while the plan handles the catch-up amount.
- Automatic stay: Filing usually pauses most collection activity, which can give you breathing room while the plan is reviewed.
- Equity and exemptions: Exemptions still matter, and non-exempt value can affect how much the plan must pay.
- Surrender is still an option: If keeping the payment is not realistic, you may be able to surrender the property and handle any remaining balance through the case, depending on the debt type.
We can look at your loan terms, equity, and payment history and explain the most realistic options. Schedule a free consultation.
How Long Does Chapter 13 Take?
Most Chapter 13 plans run three to five years. The early part of the case moves faster, then you complete the plan payments over time. Exact timing depends on documents, the court schedule, and how quickly the plan is confirmed.
- Review: We gather your information, confirm goals, and map out a workable plan payment.
- File: The case is filed and most collection activity is paused right away in many situations.
- Trustee meeting: You attend a short meeting to confirm your information and answer basic questions.
- Plan confirmation: The court reviews the plan. This often happens within the first few months, but timing can vary.
- Plan payments: You make regular payments for the length of the plan, usually 3 to 5 years.
- Discharge: After the plan is completed and requirements are met, remaining eligible debts may be discharged.
We can give you a simple timeline based on your facts and what a plan would likely look like.
See What Past Clients Have Said:
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is unique.
Schedule your Free Initial Consultation
Making a Steady Plan in Des Moines
Money stress can pile up fast in Des Moines. If you’re searching for a Chapter 13 Bankruptcy lawyer in Des Moines, this section helps you decide if Chapter 13 may fit and what working with Zisman Law is like. We work with clients across Iowa by phone and video (and in-person when helpful). Call 641-472-5141 for a free, confidential consult.
When Chapter 13 May Make Sense
Chapter 13 can be a good fit for people who have income coming in, but need a structured way to deal with several debts at once. If you’re looking for a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney in Des Moines, it helps to start with a simple question: what outcome are you aiming for, and what can you realistically afford each month?
Situations People Often Bring Up
- Falling behind on bills after a layoff, reduced hours, or a big family expense
- Stacked payments across credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, or old balances that never seem to shrink
- Irregular income (like commissions, seasonal work, or self-employment) that makes planning hard
- Life changes such as divorce, a new baby, or caring for a parent
- Small business pressure where personal and business money start to blur
Chapter 13 is not one-size-fits-all. The best way to see whether it fits is a full review of your income, debts, assets, and goals, plus any recent changes in your household.
Getting Ready for a Clear Conversation
A consult usually feels better when you don’t have to guess at numbers. If you can, gather a few basics so the conversation stays focused and practical.
A Simple Checklist to Bring
- Recent pay stubs (or proof of income for self-employment)
- Last two years of tax returns (if you have them)
- A list of monthly bills and living expenses (rent, utilities, insurance, childcare)
- Statements for credit cards, medical bills, and personal loans
- If relevant, mortgage or car statements that show the current balance and recent payment history
It also helps to think about your top priorities before we talk. Some people want a plan they can stick to. Others want fewer moving pieces and less day-to-day stress. Either way, the goal is to leave the call with clear options, not more confusion.
What Working With Zisman Law Feels Like
Most people do not want a “lecture.” They want straight answers, a calm guide, and a plan that matches real life. Zisman Law keeps communication simple and steady, so you always know what happens next on your side.
How We Support You Over Time
- One clear starting point: a phone or video consult to hear your story and look at the numbers
- Simple document sharing: secure ways to send what’s needed without a lot of back-and-forth
- Plain-language updates: what’s happening, what matters, and what can wait
- Check-ins when life changes: job changes, new expenses, or surprises that may affect your plan
If you decide to move forward, we will explain the next steps and provide a written engagement agreement. If you want to read client feedback, you can also visit our reviews page.
Chapter 13 Versus Other Routes
Many people in Des Moines are choosing between Chapter 13, Chapter 7, and non-bankruptcy options. A lawyer can help compare these paths based on your facts, not a generic checklist.
- Chapter 13 can work well when you need a structured payment plan over time and have income to support it.
- Chapter 7 is different and may be a fit for people who cannot reasonably fund a repayment plan. You can compare on our Des Moines Chapter 7 page.
- Non-bankruptcy options like negotiated payment arrangements or budgeting plans may help in some cases, but they can come with tradeoffs and may not stop every type of collection activity.
For neutral background reading, you can review Bankruptcy Basics and general Iowa court information at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Iowa.
If you want a broader overview of Chapter 13 across the state, visit our Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Iowa page. If bankruptcy may not be the right fit, you can also see our debt relief options in Des Moines.
Staying Steady During and After the Plan
Life does not pause just because you’re in a Chapter 13 case. A plan works best when it matches your real budget, with room for normal surprises.
Practical Habits That Often Help
- Use a simple budget: focus on housing, food, transportation, insurance, and a small cushion when possible
- Keep a “money folder”: pay stubs, key notices, and monthly statements in one place
- Stay organized: set reminders for due dates and keep notes from calls in a single spot
- Be cautious with new credit: avoid taking on new monthly payments unless you understand how it may affect your plan
- Check your reports later: look for errors and keep track of progress over time
For general education on the bankruptcy system and oversight, you can also visit the U.S. Trustee Program resources.
Talk Through Options With a Real Person
If you want Chapter 13 bankruptcy help in Des Moines, we can talk through what you’re dealing with and what outcomes may be realistic. The consult is free, and it’s fine to start with questions.
Call 641-472-5141 or use our contact page to request a callback. We’ll help you compare options and decide on a next step that fits your situation.
Local Touchpoints for Des Moines Chapter 13
For people in Des Moines, the “official paperwork trail” usually comes through federal court notices, trustee requests, and scheduled meeting information, so it helps to watch your mail and email closely and keep your contact details current.
If anything needs your live attendance, it is usually limited to a required meeting and any court hearing that gets set, and your notice will tell you whether it is by video or in person.
If you want a statewide overview alongside this Des Moines-specific section, you can review Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Iowa.
Polk County Court and Trustee Details
This information can change, including meeting format, locations, and trustee assignments. For the most current details, rely on your court notice and confirm using the official links below.
- Polk County is listed in the Central division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa on the court’s Divisional Map by Counties.
- The court’s published 341 meeting location list for Des Moines includes Room 783, Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 on its 341 Current Calendars page.
- The U.S. Trustee Program lists Carol F. Dunbar as the standing Chapter 13 trustee covering the Southern District of Iowa.
- For required credit counseling, use the U.S. Trustee Program’s approved credit counseling agencies for Iowa to confirm you are taking a qualifying course. If you need help finding legal resources in Polk County, Iowa Legal Aid lists a Central Iowa Regional Office in Des Moines and explains how to apply for help.
Des Moines Economy Pressures and Paychecks
Des Moines is a big metro for steady-paycheck industries as well as hourly work, and money stress can hit fast when hours drop, commissions slow down, or a second job disappears.
Iowa Workforce Development’s Des Moines–West Des Moines MSA profile says the area’s largest supersector is finance, insurance, and real estate, which can mean income that looks “stable” on paper but still gets squeezed by rising household costs over time in a way people can feel week to week in the budget, especially when a surprise expense lands in the data.
At the same time, the labor market can shift across sectors, and the BLS tracks local employment and unemployment trends for the metro on its Economy at a Glance page.
When the budget gets tight in a city like Des Moines, Chapter 13 can be one option to talk through, alongside the other alternatives already described above, with the goal of building a plan that matches your real income and real monthly bills.
Practical Des Moines Chapter 13 Questions
1. If I live in Des Moines, where will my 341 Meeting of Creditors usually be held?
Locations and formats can change, so confirm using your court notice and the official link below.
The court’s published 341 meeting location list for Des Moines includes Room 783, Federal Building, 210 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309 on its 341 Current Calendars page.
Many meetings may be handled by video, so your notice is the safest place to confirm the format and the exact connection details.
2. Which bankruptcy court usually handles cases from Polk County?
Polk County is listed in the Central division of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
3. How much travel is involved if I file Chapter 13 from Des Moines?
For most Des Moines filers, travel is limited because many steps can often be handled through phone calls, video meetings, and secure document sharing.
If anything must be in person, it is usually in the Des Moines area, and your court notice will spell out the date, time, and whether you need to appear.
Zisman Law works with clients across Iowa, including Des Moines, by phone and video (and in-person when helpful).