Chapter 13 Payment Calculator
Estimate your monthly Chapter 13 repayment plan payment by entering secured arrears, priority debt, attorney fees, unsecured debt paid through the plan, and trustee percentage. The calculator shows a full plan composition waterfall and compares 36-month vs 60-month payment side by side — instantly.
Enter your Chapter 13 plan details
Add the debts and fees you expect to pay through the plan. The calculator totals these, adds the trustee fee, and divides by plan term.
What to do next
Want to understand Chapter 13 calculations?
Step-by-step
Tips & important notes
What this calculator does
The Chapter 13 Payment Calculator adds together the four main categories of debt paid through a Chapter 13 plan — secured arrears, priority debt, attorney fees, and specified unsecured debt — to produce the plan base total. It then adds the trustee fee (as a percentage of the base) and divides by plan months to produce the estimated monthly payment.
Unlike most tools that show only the final monthly number, this calculator renders a full plan composition waterfall showing exactly how each debt category contributes, and a 36 vs 60 month side-by-side comparison so you can see the monthly payment difference without re-entering your data.
Chapter 13 payment formula
Note: this formula does not include interest on secured claims paid through the plan (typically Till rate + 1–3%), which can add meaningfully to the total in longer plans.
How to use this calculator
- Secured arrears: Enter past-due mortgage or auto loan amounts you want to cure through the plan. If paying a vehicle at its fair market value (cramdown), use FMV instead of loan balance.
- Priority debt: Include back taxes owed to the IRS/state, child support arrears, and other priority claims that must be paid in full.
- Attorney fees: Include the portion of legal fees paid through the plan rather than up front.
- Unsecured in plan: Enter the total amount of unsecured debt (credit cards, medical) your plan will pay — often a fraction of the total balance.
- Trustee fee: Enter the district rate. If unknown, 10% is a common default for estimation.
- Click Calculate and review the waterfall and 36 vs 60 comparison in the result panel.
Example calculations
Plan base = $12,000 + $8,000 + $3,500 + $6,000 = $29,500
Trustee fee = $29,500 × 10% = $2,950
Total plan = $29,500 + $2,950 = $32,450
Monthly (60 mo) = $32,450 ÷ 60 = $540.83/mo
Plan base = $5,000 + $2,000 + $3,000 + $2,000 = $12,000
Trustee fee = $12,000 × 8% = $960
Total plan = $12,000 + $960 = $12,960
Monthly (36 mo) = $12,960 ÷ 36 = $360.00/mo
Plan base = $24,000 + $4,000 + $4,000 + $7,000 = $39,000
Trustee fee = $39,000 × 10% = $3,900
Total plan = $39,000 + $3,900 = $42,900
Monthly (60 mo) = $42,900 ÷ 60 = $715.00/mo
Frequently asked questions
How is a Chapter 13 monthly payment calculated?
Add all debts to be paid through the plan (secured arrears + priority debt + attorney fees + specified unsecured). Multiply by (1 + trustee %) to get the total plan amount. Divide by 36 or 60 months for the monthly payment. This is the minimum — your actual payment may be higher based on disposable income and best-interest-of-creditors tests.
Is this an official or legally accurate Chapter 13 calculator?
No. This is an educational estimate only. It does not model means testing (Forms 122C-1 and 122C-2), disposable income schedules, interest on secured claims, district-specific rules, or court confirmation requirements. Always work with a licensed bankruptcy attorney for a legally accurate plan.
Should I use 36 months or 60 months?
Plan length is generally determined by your income relative to your state's median income. If your current monthly income is below the state median, you may qualify for a 3-year (36-month) plan. Above the median, the court typically requires a 5-year (60-month) plan. Your attorney will confirm which applies based on the means test.
What is the trustee fee and how much is it?
The Chapter 13 trustee receives a commission on all payments disbursed through the plan. This is set by the U.S. Trustee Program and varies by district — commonly between 6% and 10% of disbursements. Enter the rate for your district, or use 10% as a conservative estimate if unknown.
Why might my real payment be higher than this estimate?
This calculator only covers the minimum plan payment (debts that must be paid in full). Your payment could be higher if: (1) you have disposable monthly income the court requires you to contribute, (2) you hold non-exempt assets whose value must be paid to unsecured creditors under the best interest test, or (3) your plan includes interest on secured claims.
Does this calculator include interest on secured claims?
No. Secured claims paid through a Chapter 13 plan typically accrue interest at the Till rate (prime + risk premium, often 1–3% above prime). This interest can meaningfully increase the total plan cost for longer plans or larger secured balances, and is not reflected in this estimate.
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Disclaimer
This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only and does not provide legal, financial, or bankruptcy advice. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a complex legal process governed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and local district rules. Actual plan payments depend on many factors not modeled here, including means testing, disposable income calculations, secured claim treatment with interest, non-exempt asset valuation, and court confirmation requirements. Always consult a licensed bankruptcy attorney before making any decisions related to filing bankruptcy.