 TITLE: What Is Chapter 7 Bankruptcy? CONTENT: Who Qualifies For Chapter 7 Bankruptcy\n--------------------------------------\nThere are a few requirements you'll need to meet to file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy:\n*   You generally must complete an individual or group credit counseling course from an approved credit counseling agency within 180 days before filing.\n*   Either the average of your monthly income during the previous six months must be less than the median income for the same-sized household in your state or you must pass a means test, which determines if your disposable income is high enough to make partial payments to unsecured creditors. If you don't pass the means test, you may still be able to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.\n*   You can't have filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy during the past eight years.\n*   You can't have filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy during the past six years.\n*   If you tried to file a Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy and your case was dismissed, you have to wait at least 181 days before trying again.\n*   You may be eligible to file, but a court could dismiss your case if it determines you're trying to defraud your creditors. For example, if you take out a loan or use credit cards with the intent of then declaring bankruptcy to avoid repaying the debt. END