Federal court data from 52,527 cases exposes a system where 85.6% of Chapter 13 filings in the Eastern District end in dismissal (2008-2019 mature data) -- the worst rate in the entire country.
Source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database, 2008--2024. Analysis by Open Bankruptcy Project.
52,527 cases filed -- 43,991 dismissed, only 5,905 discharged. 53.1% pro se rate. 42.0% prior filer rate. An estimated 374 potential 1328(f) violations. Ranked #1 worst nationally.
25,112 cases filed -- 12,973 dismissed, 9,005 discharged. 18.9% pro se rate. 24.9% prior filer rate. An estimated 457 potential 1328(f) violations.
23,717 cases filed. A significantly better rate than EDNY, but still above the national median.
26,604 cases filed. The healthiest district in New York, with outcomes closer to national averages.
The Eastern District of New York is not merely underperforming -- it is a statistical outlier of extraordinary magnitude. The data tells a story of systemic failure:
When a district reaches 99.2% dismissal, it means the Chapter 13 system has effectively stopped functioning for consumers in that jurisdiction.
42% of EDNY filers have filed bankruptcy before. Many of these prior filers may be ineligible for discharge under 11 U.S.C. section 1328(f), which bars repeat discharges within certain timeframes. An estimated 374 cases may involve filings where discharge was never legally possible -- meaning filers entered the system, paid fees, and were doomed to dismissal from day one.
The E.D.N.Y. has an 85.6% Chapter 13 dismissal rate based on mature 2008-2019 data where most cases have reached final disposition. 52,527 total cases were filed between 2008 and 2024. Recent years show higher preliminary rates because successful 3-5 year plans are still active.
Over 53% of Chapter 13 filers in EDNY have no attorney (pro se), and 42% are repeat filers. The combination of inadequate legal representation and systemic barriers creates a cycle of filing and failure.
EDNY ranks #1 worst nationally for Chapter 13 dismissals. SDNY has a 59.0% rate, WDNY 46.0%, and NDNY 41.8%. The Eastern District is dramatically worse than all other New York districts.
Under 11 U.S.C. section 1328(f), debtors who received a prior discharge within specific timeframes are ineligible for another discharge. When courts fail to screen for this, cases are filed that can never succeed -- wasting time, money, and court resources.
The data shows extreme variation across New York's four districts. If you are considering bankruptcy, consult with a qualified attorney who can evaluate your specific situation. The statistics on this page reflect aggregate outcomes and may not predict individual results.
Use the free 1328(f) screener to check whether a prior discharge affects your eligibility.
Free Discharge Screener