Short answer: Chapter 7 bankruptcy can be filed multiple times, but there are waiting periods before you can receive another discharge, and those periods depend on which chapter you file in the next case and what happened in your prior case. Key points to understand

• You can file another Chapter 7 case, but you generally must wait at least eight years from the filing date of the first Chapter 7 case to receive another Chapter 7 discharge. If your second case is Chapter 13, the wait may be shorter (often four years or more), depending on specifics of the prior case and plan payments. Exact timing can vary by jurisdiction and case details. [8-year rule and related timing guidance are commonly cited across practitioner resources; verify with a local attorney for your situation]
• If your first case was Chapter 13, you can often file Chapter 7 after a certain period (commonly around six years from the Chapter 13 filing date) to obtain a discharge, but completing the Chapter 13 plan (or paying a substantial portion to unsecured creditors) can modify that waiting period. [Two-to-six year ranges appear in general guidance]
• If the prior case ended in a dismissal (not a discharge), you may be able to file again sooner, but other conditions can apply, and a dismissal for cause (e.g., failure to appear) may restrict filing for a period. [Dismissal consequences are discussed in bankruptcy resources and court FAQs]
• Filing again after discharge or dismissal does not erase the need to qualify under means tests, credit counseling, and court-imposed requirements; eligibility depends on current income, assets, and the nature of debts. [General bankruptcy eligibility criteria apply across cases]

Why this matters

• The discharge timing matters because it determines when you can treat new debts as dischargeable and how the new case will be treated by creditors and the court. Getting precise, case-specific timelines requires reviewing the details of the prior case, the chapters involved, and any completed or unpaid plan payments.

What to do next

• Consult a bankruptcy attorney in your jurisdiction who can map out the exact waiting periods based on your specific prior case (chapter, discharge status, payments made, and plan completion) and help you plan the best path for relief.
• If you’d like, provide the following details, and I can outline the applicable timelines in a more tailored way: (1) the chapter of your previous case, (2) whether that case ended in a discharge or was dismissed, (3) the filing dates for the prior case and any subsequent case you’re considering, (4) whether the prior case involved a Chapter 13 repayment plan and, if so, how much was paid to unsecured creditors.