A person more typically consider filing under Chapter 7 instead of under Chapter 13 when

• all or most of their property is “exempt”
• their income is less than median income
• no need to save home from foreclosure
• no need to avoid “underwater” second mortgage

Chapter 13 may be more appropriate than Chapter 7 if a person

• has substantial non-exempt property
• owns a business
• does not pass the “means test”
• needs to save their home from foreclosure
• need to avoid an “underwater” second mortgage