What Is Chapter 13 Bankruptcy? Chapter 13 bankruptcy helps a person reorganize debts. Over a 3-5 year period debtors make payments to a trustee, who disburses the funds to creditors. Unpaid debts remaining at the end of the plan period are discharged, just as they would be in a Chapter 7. Secured creditors may be paid by the trustee or directly by the debtor. Unsecured creditors may receive payments if there is income left over each month beyond what isRead more