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Accounts in bankruptcy deleted before the bankruptcy public record

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Topics addressed on April 1, 2009:

Accounts in bankruptcy deleted before the bankruptcy public record

Dear Max,

When they say bankruptcy information will be removed from your credit report after seven years, does that mean all of the information related to the bankruptcy will be removed?

- NMC

Dear NMC,

A chapter 13 bankruptcy court filing will remain on your credit report for seven years from the filing date. That applies only to the public record item, not the accounts included in the bankruptcy.

However, accounts included in the bankruptcy typically are deleted before the public record item. In most instances, accounts included in the bankruptcy are already delinquent before the bankruptcy filing. The original delinquency date of the account is, therefore, earlier than the bankruptcy filing date.

Because accounts are deleted seven years after the original delinquency date, the accounts will likely be deleted prior to the bankruptcy public record. If the accounts included in the bankruptcy were not delinquent when you filed, the accounts will be deleted at the same time as the bankruptcy public record.

The seven year rule also is true for accounts included in chapter 7 bankruptcy, but the bankruptcy public record will remain 10 years from the filing date.

Thanks for asking.

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