Chapter 13 Bankruptcy is a scheduled repayment of your debts over a period of three to five years. This type of bankruptcy is used when a debtor makes too much money to qualify for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, if they have too many assets, or if they have a secured debt (like a mortgage on a home they want to keep) with delinquent payments.  Chapter 13 allows for a past due amount on a secured debt to be caught up through the Chapter 13 Plan.  Payments on the Plan are calculated using the debtor's monthly disposable income.  The debtor will make a monthly payment to a trustee, who will then pay the outstanding debts.  Plans typically last from 36 to 60 months, depending on the amount of debt and assets.