1 An example of a deficit is when you owe $100 and only have $90.  An example of a deficit is when a child in 9th grade reads at a 4th grade level.
Generally, there is no limit to the number of personal bankruptcies a person may file, but there is a required period of time a person must wait between bankruptcy discharges. 1  A person must wait eight years between two Chapter 7 bankruptcies.  A filer may only wait two years between two Chapter 13 bankruptcies.
Chapter 7, the most common type of personal bankruptcy, typically takes a few months, while Chapter 13 generally lasts three to five years. While time is important, there are several other factors that should help guide your bankruptcy decision.