You generally must wait at least 4 years after receiving a discharge from a Chapter 7 bankruptcy before you can file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. This waiting period is a key rule to prevent abuse of the bankruptcy system by quickly switching bankruptcy types to avoid debt repayment. However, you can file Chapter 13 without a discharge after Chapter 7, but you would not receive a discharge in the new case. There are some exceptions related to good faith filing and debts that were not discharged in Chapter 7, which Chapter 13 may address (like certain taxes or arrears).