The Ohio Answer in One Paragraph
Ohio 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 Ohio-specific inputs drive the choice: (1) the Ohio means test median of $63,564 for a 1-person household, (2) the Ohio homestead exemption of $161,375, 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 Ohio
Chapter 13 in Ohio
Ohio Means Test Thresholds (April 2026)
Ohio's single-person median of $63,564 is below the national average. Most filers here clear Part 1 of the means test on income alone and qualify for Chapter 7 without running the full Part 2 expense deduction.
| Household Size | Ohio Median Income |
|---|---|
| 1-person household | $63,600 |
| 2-person household | $82,600 |
| 3-person household | $96,600 |
| 4-person household | $112,500 |
| 5-person household | $122,000 |
| 6-person household | $131,600 |
For household sizes above 6, add $11,100 per additional member. Full details at the Ohio means test calculator. For a general discussion, see our means test overview.
Ohio Homestead Exemption and the Chapter Choice
Ohio's homestead exemption protects $161,375 of primary-residence equity under ORC 2329.66. If your home equity is below that amount, Chapter 7 can usually wipe out your unsecured debt without putting the home at risk. If your equity exceeds the exemption, Chapter 13 is typically the right tool to keep the home while cramming down or curing mortgage arrears over 3-5 years.
Ohio is a state-exemptions-only jurisdiction. The federal exemption scheme under 11 U.S.C. Section 522(d) is not available. Review the full exemption list at bankruptcyexemptionsbystate.com/ohio before assuming any specific asset is safe.
Homestead amount (Ohio): $161,375. Statute: ORC 2329.66.
Ohio's Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 Filing Mix
Ohio follows the national pattern: 89.0% of its 3,971 consumer cases are Chapter 7, and 11.0% are Chapter 13. Most filers who qualify for Chapter 7 choose it, and Chapter 13 is reserved for filers who need to save a home from foreclosure or cannot pass the means test.
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 Ohio's mix matches the economics of the typical filer's situation.
Ohio Federal Court Data
Numbers below come from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database, covering 3,971 consumer bankruptcy cases filed in Ohio's federal bankruptcy courts.
| Chapter | Cases Filed | Discharge Rate (resolved) |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7 | 3,535 | 98.2% |
| Chapter 13 | 436 | 51.1% |
Outcomes in Ohio differ sharply between the chapters. Of resolved Chapter 7 cases in the FJC database, 98.2% end in discharge. Of resolved Chapter 13 cases, only 51.1% end in discharge; the remaining 48.9% are dismissed before the plan completes. If you are physically able to file either chapter, this gap is a reason to think hard before committing to a 3-5 year Chapter 13 plan in Ohio.
Which Chapter Fits Which Ohio Filer?
- If your income is below the Ohio median ($63,564, 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 Ohio 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 Ohio: if you qualify for Chapter 7 on the means test AND your home equity is within the $161,375 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 Ohio?
For most Ohio 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 Ohio?
There is no hard dollar limit. The means test compares your 6-month average income (annualized) to the Ohio median for your household size. One person: $63,564. Four person: $112,500. Above-median filers can still qualify by running Part 2 expense deductions.
Can I use federal bankruptcy exemptions in Ohio?
No. Ohio opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemption scheme. Filers must use state exemptions exclusively.
How much home equity is protected in Ohio bankruptcy?
Ohio's homestead exemption protects $161,375 under ORC 2329.66. 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 Ohio?
Chapter 7 takes 3 to 4 months from filing to discharge in Ohio 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 Ohio?
Yes. Under 11 U.S.C. Section 1307(a), a Chapter 13 debtor in Ohio 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 Ohio 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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