If you've filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, you probably know it will take between 3 and 5 years to receive your bankruptcy discharge if you statisfy all the requirements of your Chapter 13 plan (and in the meantime, you enjoy an automatic stay protecting you from any harassment from creditors. But in order to get to the finish line, it's a good idea to stay involved in the process, and tracking the progress of your case.
The easiest tool you can use to track your Chapter 13 bankruptcy case is the National Data Center.
Because you'll be entering personal information to the website, it's important that you take precautions to prevent identity theft, make sure you have a secure internet connection.
To see your Chapter 13 case updates, enter your first and last names, your case number, and your Social Security number. When you've done this, you will be asked to answer some security questions. For example: who is your Trustee? What is your mailing addres?. If you have your 341 Notice (which you received from the Courts) you will be able to easily find the answers. If you cannot locate your copy, ask for one from your bankruptcy attorney. Fair warning: this part may take a minute or two for your computer to process. After it's all been cleared, you will be asked to pick a username and password.
Depending on where you are in your case, you will want to check and verify that all of your creditors on secured debts have filed a Proof of Claim (which debts are secured? Here's an easy refresher. If you are ever in doubt about what debts are secured, contact your bankruptcy attorney. Why? If they don't file a Proof of Claim the debt won't be paid through your Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan. Sounds good? Not so much. Say you owe the IRS taxes, and they don't file a claim. They won't be paid. Did you just get a free pass? Since they were not paid back through your plan, you'll still owe them when your plan is back through. If there are any discrepencies it's important to let your bankruptcy attorney know immediately.
Once you've verified that your file is correct, check on it every month to ensure that your payments are going through. I generally recommend that my clients check the 5th of every month. This way, the previous month's payment will have been processed, so you can ensure it was received. You can also print a copy of the documents for your records, it's like getting a receipt for your Chapter 13 payments.
Again, if you have any questions about any part of this process, you should contact your bankruptcy attorney's office right away. A good bankruptcy attorney will always be happy to take a call from a client, no matter what.