A debtor whose discharge is denied or revoked in a Chapter 7 case cannot discharge in a later Chapter 7 case claims incurred before the prior case. 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(10). However, for individuals who qualify for Chapter 13, the denial or revocation of discharge in an earlier Chapter 7 case might not preclude the granting of a so-called “super-discharge” in a later-filed Chapter 13 case.

The Bankruptcy Code describes certain types of claims that are not discharged in Chapter 13 cases. For example, certain taxes, alimony and child support, and debts found by the bankruptcy court to have been incurred through fraud are not dischargeable in Chapter 13. See 11 U.S.C. 1328 (incorporating 11 U.S.C. §523(a) (1)(B & C), (2), (3), (4), (5), (8), and (9), but not sub-sections (6), (7), and (10)).

But what about debts scheduled in a prior Chapter 7 case in which the discharge was revoked or denied? Can those be discharged in a Chapter 13 case? The answer depends on whether or not the debtor completes her plan payments. If the debtor receives a so-called “hardship” discharge under Chapter 13 prior to completing her plan payments, then the earlier Chapter 7 claims are will not be discharged. 11 U.S.C. §523(a)(10). However, if the debtor completes her plan payments, then otherwise dischargeable claims (and even some otherwise non-dischargeable claims) from the prior Chapter 7 case can be discharged by much more encompassing “super-discharge” available in the later-filed Chapter 13 case. 11 U.S.C. §1328(a).

At least one appellate court agrees with our reasoning and has held that a “prior declaration of non-dischargeability does not per se . . . prevent discharge of the debt” in a subsequent Chapter 13 case. In re Chaffin, 816 F.2d 1070, 1071 (5^th Cir. 1987). In Chaffin, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed two lower courts and allowed a debtor to discharge in his Chapter 13 case a debt that could not be discharged in his earlier Chapter 7 case. Rejecting a creditor’s bad faith argument, the Fifth Circuit Panel wrote:

“The debt from which Chaffin now seeks discharge is not of the kind stated to be non-dischargeable by § 1328. Congress could have easily added more exceptions to the list in § 1328(a) had it so intended.”

Thus, although a bankruptcy court may revoke or deny a discharge in a Chapter 7 case unless the debt is not explicitly excepted from discharge in Chapter 13, it can be discharged upon consummation of a Chapter 13 plan in a later-filed Chapter 13 case.

Mr. Alan W. Forsley is a highly experienced Los Angeles bankruptcy attorney in FLP Law Group with over 20 years of experience on individuals, businesses, and trustees in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases and adversary matters. He can evaluate your financial situation, determine if bankruptcy is right for you, and which chapter you best qualify for at this time.

Mr. Forsley has been a Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law, whenever you are in need of help in a bankruptcy matter, call us for a free consultation or fill out the contact form to get one of the best bankruptcy lawyers in Los Angeles to review your case.

© Alan W. Forsley, Esq. 2015