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Can you refinance your mortgage if you are in Chapter 13?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Updated on January 25, 2026

With Chapter 13, FHA and VA loan borrowers may be able to refinance while they’re still in bankruptcy, after they’ve made a year of on-time payments according to their repayment plan. On conventional loans, you’ll need to wait 2 years after Chapter 13 discharge to qualify for a loan.

Does Chapter 13 wipe out unsecured debt?

The majority of debts discharged in Chapter 13 bankruptcy are nonpriority unsecured debts. Credit card balances, personal loans, medical bills, and utility payments fit here. Because student loans are long-term debts, you won’t have to repay them fully in your plan.

What happens to secured debt in Chapter 13?

Secured claims are secured by collateral. If you don’t pay a secured debt, the creditor can take the collateral and sell it to obtain payment. If you file a Chapter 13 and intend to keep the property securing the loan, you must stay current on the payments while paying off any arrearages over the repayment plan period.

Can I refinance if I did not reaffirm my mortgage?

No Legal Requirement to Reaffirm a Mortgage to Refinance You can refinance your mortgage even if you did not reaffirm it. The solution is easy. Work through an experienced mortgage broker who can submit your refinance package to multiple lenders. The broker can find a lender willing to refinance your mortgage loan.

What happens to unsecured debt if Chapter 13 is dismissed?

Once chapter 13 ends successfully with discharge, your remaining non-secured debts (except student loans) are forgiven. Chapter 13 gives the debtor a time frame of 3-5 years to repay the agreed amount of discounted loans in installments.

How soon after Chapter 7 can I refinance?

Chapter 7: You must wait at least 2 years after the discharge or dismissal date before you can refinance your loan. The 2-year standard only applies to government-backed loans like FHA loans and VA loans. Most lenders require that you wait 4 years after your discharge date for a conventional loan.

Can you refinance your mortgage during Chapter 13?

It is possible to do a Refinancing During Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Repayment Plan while your mortgage while in an active Chapter 13 bankruptcy. There is no law governing this It is entirely up to the individual(s) to find a willing lender

What kind of refinance can I get after bankruptcy?

The process you’ll go through to refinance after bankruptcy depends on the type of bankruptcy you’ve filed. Let’s go over the differences between the main types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7: Chapter 7, sometimes called a traditional bankruptcy, discharges your debts.

What happens when you file Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy does not mean that you are ineligible for new credit. This form of bankruptcy allows you to keep personal property and even the debts you have. The program simply restructures the debts so that you can pay them off within the next 3 to 5 years.

Can you get a FHA loan after Chapter 13 bankruptcy?

The program simply restructures the debts so that you can pay them off within the next 3 to 5 years. There are a few loan programs you can apply for a few years after filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but FHA loans only require that you wait 12 months before applying.