Chapter 13 Plan Explorer
See how a Chapter 13 plan may flow
Adjust the assumptions below to watch where plan payments may go. This is a teaching simulator — it does not calculate a legally sufficient plan and cannot predict what a trustee or court will approve.
Educational simulator only
Plain-English guide
How Chapter 13 payments are calculated
In Chapter 13, you make one monthly payment to a court-appointed trustee, who spreads it among your creditors under a court-approved plan. The size of that payment is not a number the trustee picks — it is driven by a few specific rules.
- Pay certain debts in full. Some debts must be paid 100% through the plan: recent income and certain other taxes, child or spousal support arrears, and the amount needed to cure arrears on a home or vehicle you want to keep. These set a monthly floor — the plan payment must at least cover them spread over the plan.
- Commit your disposable income. Your projected disposable income — monthly income minus reasonable and necessary expenses (reflected on Schedules I & J) — must generally be paid into the plan for the commitment period. Above-median filers usually commit 5 years (60 months); some below-median filers may qualify for 3 years (36 months).
- Pay unsecured creditors at least the Chapter 7 value. Unsecured creditors must receive at least what they would have gotten in a Chapter 7 liquidation — typically the value of any property of yours that is not protected by exemptions.
Your plan payment is the larger of the monthly floor (the debts paid in full) and your monthly disposable income — and it may rise further if you have unprotected assets. Because disposable income grows the pot over the whole plan, a higher income can push you toward paying unsecured creditors a larger share.
When is a 100% plan required?
A 100% plan pays your unsecured creditors in full. It is generally required when your disposable income over the commitment period is large enough to cover everything you owe them, or when the value of your non-exempt assets equals or exceeds your total unsecured debt. In other words: a strong income relative to your debts, or significant unprotected property, can leave little or nothing for bankruptcy to forgive. A lower income or fewer unprotected assets usually means a smaller-percentage plan — but the must-pay-in-full debts and the Chapter 7 value test still apply.
Try estimating your payment
Enter rough monthly numbers to see how the pieces fit together. Nothing here is saved — it stays in your browser memory for this visit only.
Net (after-tax) income from all sources.
Reasonable rent, food, utilities, transportation, etc.
Priority debts + secured arrears you plan to cure (home/vehicle).
Credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, etc.
Above-median filers generally must use 60 months.
Varies by district; often around 10%.
- Disposable income (income − expenses)
- $1,100
- Monthly needed for must-pay-in-full debts
- $275
- Left for unsecured creditors / month
- $825
- Projected paid to unsecured (60 mo.)
- $49,500
- Estimated % paid to unsecured
- 100%
Educational estimate — not legal advice
Try a sample scenario:
Your assumptions
Above-median filers generally commit to 60 months; below-median may qualify for 36.
Used only to show the percentage paid to unsecured creditors.
Trustee compensation varies by district; this is illustrative.
Where the payments may go
Total paid over the plan: $27,000
- Trustee fees & admin$2,70010%
- Priority debts (taxes, support)$00%
- Mortgage arrears$12,00044%
- Vehicle arrears$00%
- Other secured claims$00%
- Unsecured creditors$12,30046%
How to read this
Priority debts and secured arrears are generally paid before unsecured creditors. Increasing arrears shrinks what's left for unsecured claims; increasing the monthly payment or plan length grows the whole pie.
What changes during a plan
Proposed vs. confirmed, missed payments, and completion
Proposed vs. confirmed
You propose a plan; it is not binding until the court confirms it. Creditors may object, and the trustee reviews whether it meets legal requirements.
Trustee payments
You make one monthly payment to the trustee, who distributes it to creditors according to the confirmed plan. Some debts (like an ongoing mortgage) you may pay directly.
Claims
Creditors file proofs of claim. The amounts and priority of claims can differ from your schedules and affect the final distribution.
Missed payments
Missing plan payments can lead to dismissal or conversion. Some plans can be modified; talk to your attorney promptly if your situation changes.
Changes in income
A significant increase may require higher plan payments; a decrease may allow a modification. Disposable income rules apply.
Completion & discharge
When you finish all payments and meet the requirements, the court enters a discharge for remaining dischargeable debts covered by the plan.
Last legal review: 2026-03-01
Sources: U.S. Courts — Chapter 13 Basics
Illustrative simulator; figures do not represent a legally sufficient plan or a prediction of approval.