The District of Columbia Answer in One Paragraph
District of Columbia filers choose between Chapter 7 (liquidation, 3-4 months, strong discharge rate) and Chapter 13 (3-5 year repayment plan, better for saving a home from foreclosure or for filers above the means test). Three District of Columbia-specific inputs drive the choice: (1) the District of Columbia means test median of $99,636 for a 1-person household, (2) the District of Columbia homestead exemption of Unlimited, and (3) the local filing mix and outcome data below. Everything else on this page is elaboration on those three factors.
Quick Side-by-Side
Chapter 7 in District of Columbia
Chapter 13 in District of Columbia
District of Columbia Means Test Thresholds (April 2026)
District of Columbia's single-person median of $99,636 is well above the national average. A larger share of would-be filers here land above the means test threshold on Part 1, which pushes them into Part 2 expense calculations or away from Chapter 7 entirely.
| Household Size | District of Columbia Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1-person household | $99,600 |
| 2-person household | $129,500 |
| 3-person household | $151,400 |
| 4-person household | $176,400 |
| 5-person household | $191,300 |
| 6-person household | $206,200 |
For household sizes above 6, add $11,100 per additional member. Full details at the District of Columbia means test calculator. For a general discussion, see our means test overview.
District of Columbia Homestead Exemption and the Chapter Choice
District of Columbia has an unlimited (or nearly unlimited) homestead exemption under DC Code 15-501. That is a powerful Chapter 7 protection: you can keep a home with very substantial equity and still wipe out your unsecured debt. Federal BAPCPA restrictions (11 U.S.C. Section 522(p) -- $214,000 cap for property acquired within 1,215 days) can limit this in a narrow set of cases. Homeowners in District of Columbia should almost always model Chapter 7 before considering Chapter 13.
District of Columbia lets filers choose between state exemptions and the federal bankruptcy exemption scheme (11 U.S.C. Section 522(d)). Review the full exemption list at bankruptcyexemptionsbystate.com/district-of-columbia before assuming any specific asset is safe.
Homestead amount (District of Columbia): Unlimited. Statute: DC Code 15-501.
District of Columbia's Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Filing Mix
The Federal Judicial Center does not report enough consumer cases from District of Columbia to characterize local Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 filing patterns. National averages (about two-thirds Chapter 7, one-third Chapter 13) are the best available proxy.
Why does filing mix matter? Attorney fee structures often favor Chapter 13 (paid through the plan rather than up-front), which can produce local-market bias toward Chapter 13 that is not driven by individual debtor facts. FJC data lets you see whether District of Columbia's mix matches the economics of the typical filer's situation.
Which Chapter Fits Which District of Columbia Filer?
- If your income is below the District of Columbia median ($99,636, 1-person) and you own little non-exempt property: Chapter 7 is almost certainly the right choice. Fast, cheap, and the highest discharge rate in consumer bankruptcy.
- If you are behind on your mortgage or car loan and want to keep the collateral: Chapter 13 lets you cure arrears over 36 to 60 months while the automatic stay blocks foreclosure and repossession.
- If you have high home equity and District of Columbia caps the homestead exemption: run the numbers on Chapter 13 cramdown, lien stripping (for wholly underwater junior liens), and the federal BAPCPA homestead cap before assuming Chapter 7 is safe.
- If you have filed before within the lookback windows: use the 1328(f) discharge screener first -- a prior Chapter 7 discharge bars another Chapter 7 for 8 years, and a prior Chapter 13 discharge bars another Chapter 13 for 2 years.
Rule of thumb for District of Columbia: if you qualify for Chapter 7 on the means test AND your home equity is within the Unlimited homestead, Chapter 7 is almost always the right choice. Chapter 13 is the right answer when specific facts (arrears, non-exempt equity, prior Chapter 7 within 8 years) rule Chapter 7 out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 better in District of Columbia?
For most District of Columbia filers who pass the means test, Chapter 7 is faster, cheaper, and succeeds more often. Chapter 13 is the right choice if you need to save a home from foreclosure, cure arrears, catch up on priority taxes, or cannot qualify for Chapter 7.
What is the Chapter 7 income limit in District of Columbia?
There is no hard dollar limit. The means test compares your 6-month average income (annualized) to the District of Columbia median for your household size. One person: $99,636. Four person: $176,400. Above-median filers can still qualify by running Part 2 expense deductions.
Can I use federal bankruptcy exemptions in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia is an opt-in state -- filers may choose federal exemptions under 11 U.S.C. Section 522(d) instead of state exemptions. Compare both schedules before filing; federal can offer a larger wildcard while state may offer a larger homestead.
How much home equity is protected in District of Columbia bankruptcy?
District of Columbia's homestead exemption protects Unlimited under DC Code 15-501. Federal BAPCPA limits (11 U.S.C. Section 522(p)) can cap this at approximately $214,000 for a residence acquired within 1,215 days of filing.
How long does bankruptcy take in District of Columbia?
Chapter 7 takes 3 to 4 months from filing to discharge in District of Columbia federal bankruptcy court. Chapter 13 takes 3 years (below-median) or 5 years (above-median) of monthly plan payments before discharge.
Can I switch from Chapter 13 to Chapter 7 in District of Columbia?
Yes. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 1307(a), a Chapter 13 debtor in District of Columbia generally has the right to convert to Chapter 7 at any time, as long as the case was not previously converted from Chapter 7. You must still pass the means test at the time of conversion.
Related District of Columbia Resources
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Last updated: 2026-04-18. Not legal advice. Statutory homestead and median-income figures are reproduced from public sources and may lag statutory amendments -- verify against current state statute before relying.
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