The 2025 BAPCPA report says that **65,810 of 204,165 Chapter 13 cases**, or **32%**, reported a prior bankruptcy petition within the preceding eight years. The measure is based on what debtors reported on the petition, and reopened cases are excluded.
What this statistic can do
It provides a defined national context for repeat-filing research. It does not identify the assets of a debtor, explain why a prior case ended, or show whether a particular estate property was involved. A researcher should never use the 32% figure as a probability for an individual matter.
Matter-level checklist
For a possible match, preserve both cases' numbers, districts, filing dates, chapter, debtor identity evidence, schedules, and disposition. Treat a name-only match as a lead. Check for abbreviations, middle names, business entities, and address history before reporting an identity conclusion.
The U.S. Courts BAPCPA 2025 report explains that prior-filing data are debtor-provided and captured at filing. Those limits belong in the research note.
Professional disclaimer: General research only, not legal, bankruptcy, title, or fiduciary advice.