In Arizona, persons who pursue their chapter 13 case without an attorney have a failure rate of at least 98 percent.
Petition, Schedules, Statements of Affairs, and other documents are filed with the Bankruptcy Court by the debtors. The Chapter 13 Trustee and other creditors examine these documents. The Debtors also file a Plan of Reorganization in addition to the documents. The plan is for the Debtors to pay all of their disposable income (income minus allowed expenses-some trustees have expense guidelines and Census Bureau and IRS data) to their creditors through the Bankruptcy Trustee over the next 3 to 5 years. Unless their debts are non-dischargeable, their remaining debts will be discharged at the end of their Plan period.
Chapter 13 varies greatly from district to district, based on local customs and opinions regarding what is “fair” and in “good faith” as determined by trustees and judges. A successful Chapter 13 case always requires the assistance of an experienced bankruptcy attorney who is knowledgeable with the district’s prevailing court attitudes as well as the plethora of unwritten local norms.
Bradley’s Bankruptcy Basics – Chapter 13 Bankruptcy (this takes you to another website)