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Last Modified on Sep 05, 2026
If you have found that debt is becoming unmanageable, you may be hesitant to file bankruptcy because you fear losing your home, vehicle, retirement funds, or personal possessions. This leaves many people wondering, “What can you keep in a Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Connecticut?” Different chapters of bankruptcy treat property differently.
Ambrogio, Pletter & Associates, LLC Can Help You
Tim Pletter has helped Connecticut residents free themselves from debt since 1995. We will review your income, debts, property, and budget to explain how bankruptcy would impact your assets. Tim Pletter will assess your situation and help you understand your options. Once you know more about Chapter 7 and Chapter 13, you can decide if bankruptcy or another debt solution is right for you.
Connecticut Law Allows You to Keep Certain Property
Filing bankruptcy should not mean giving up all of your possessions. Federal law 11 U. S. C. § 522 gives individual debtors the ability to claim exemptions. Exemptions allow you to keep certain property under bankruptcy law. In Connecticut, residents may be able to use exemptions provided by federal bankruptcy law or Connecticut law.
Connecticut exemptions are primarily located in Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-352b. There, you can find exemptions for many categories of property, including:
- Basic clothing
- Furniture and appliances
- Retirement accounts
- Disability payments
- Workers’ compensation
- Engagement rings
- Alimony
- Equity in your home up to $250,000.00 per owner
According to data from federal courts, bankruptcy is still a legitimate option for individuals and companies who are struggling with debt. U.S. bankruptcy courts received 542,529 total bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025. Of those filings, 200,290 were Chapter 13 filings, and 333,321 were Chapter 7 filings. These numbers show that both chapters are still popular methods for dealing with debt.
What You Can Keep in Chapter 7
When you file Chapter 7, a bankruptcy estate is created. The trustee is responsible for administering your bankruptcy estate. As part of this process, you list your property and claim exemptions you believe apply. Exemptions that cover equity in property allow you to keep it. For example, if your car is worth $10,000 and you still owe $9,000 on your loan, you have $1,000 in equity.
Chapter 7’s purpose is to liquidate non-exempt property to create funds that pay creditors. Most Chapter 7 bankruptcies have no non-exempt assets. These cases are called no asset Chapter 7s. Any debts that are considered dischargeable may be eliminated at the conclusion of your bankruptcy case.
What Can You Keep Under Chapter 13?
Under Chapter 13, debtors receive a discharge at the conclusion of their case, but in a different manner. Chapter 13 debtors propose a repayment plan that lasts either 36 or 60 months. The debtor makes monthly payments to the Chapter 13 trustee, and creditors are paid from this fund. There is no liquidation of your property like in Chapter 7.
Chapter 13 allows people to keep property that may have required surrendering under Chapter 7. As a Connecticut bankruptcy attorney, Tim Pletter will evaluate all of the factors to recommend the most appropriate solution.
When filing bankruptcy in West Haven, residents get their Chapter 13 and Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases handled through the federal bankruptcy court. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut has a New Haven office located at Connecticut Financial Center, 157 Church Street, on the 18th Floor. This courthouse is located near downtown New Haven and is easily accessible from West Haven through I-95. Most bankruptcy hearings called 341 hearings, are conducted on Zoom.
Speak to a Bankruptcy Lawyer at Ambrogio, Pletter & Associates, LLC
Your selection of exemptions can impact which property is protected. It’s important to have someone accurately review your situation before you file. Tim Pletter offers to determine the equity in your home and vehicles, examine your remaining possessions, select the most beneficial exemptions, review your Chapter 7 qualifications, and prepare the schedules mandated by the bankruptcy court.
If Chapter 13 would be a better option, Tim Pletter will explain Chapter 13 bankruptcy laws and how keeping property can impact your proposed repayment plan and what payments you might expect. Speak with a bankruptcy lawyer today.
FAQs
Can I Keep My Credit Cards After Filing for Chapter 13 Bankruptcy in Connecticut?
You may be able to keep your credit cards after filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, do not count on an existing credit card remaining accessible. The credit card company could close or restrict your account once it learns about the bankruptcy, even if the card has a zero balance. Getting permission from the bankruptcy court is often necessary for taking on new debt during a Chapter 13 filing.
Does Chapter 7 Hurt Your Credit More Than Chapter 13?
Both filing Chapters hurt your credit. Chapter 7 bankruptcies generally tend to stay on your credit report for 10 years, while Chapter 13 bankruptcies generally stay on your report for seven years. Your credit score depends on your entire credit history, so the chapter you file does not determine how many points your credit score drops.
Will I Lose My House if I File for Bankruptcy?
If you file for bankruptcy, it does not mean you will automatically lose your house. Whether or not you can keep your house depends on factors such as the type of bankruptcy you file, the amount of equity in your home, your mortgage payment status, and the exemptions available to you. Tim Pletter will assess your situation to determine if losing your home is a possibility.
Can One Spouse File for Bankruptcy Without the Other Spouse in Connecticut?
Yes. One spouse can file for bankruptcy without making the other spouse a part of the bankruptcy case. Keep in mind, the filing spouse’s income and jointly owned property and debts are still considered when reviewing your property and debts. Tim Pletter will analyze your household income and assets to determine how an individual Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 case would analyze debts and property.
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Contact Ambrogio, Pletter & Associates, LLC, Today
If you are considering filing for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, Ambrogio, Pletter & Associates, LLC, will help you in the process. Contact us today to begin speaking with our team.
