Atlanta Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Data

Q: How many Chapter 13 cases are dismissed in Atlanta?

159,456 out of 245,569 Chapter 13 cases filed in the Northern District of Georgia between 2008 and 2024 ended in dismissal. Only 59,258 resulted in discharge.

Q: What is the prior filer rate in Atlanta bankruptcy?

44.8% of Chapter 13 filers in the Northern District of Georgia have filed bankruptcy before -- nearly half. An estimated 7,815 cases may involve potential 1328(f) eligibility violations.

Q: How does Atlanta compare to other Georgia districts?

NDGA has the worst rate at 70.8% (2008-2019). The Middle District of Georgia has a 50.0% rate and the Southern District has 49.7%. Atlanta is significantly worse than the rest of Georgia.

The Northern District of Georgia processes one of the highest case volumes in the country -- 245,569 filings, 159,456 dismissed. Nearly half of all filers are repeats. The 2024 dismissal rate hit 99.0%.

N.D. Ga.: 99.0% dismissal rate in 2024

NDGA Dismissal Rate by Year (2008--2024)

Chapter 13 Dismissal Rate -- Northern District of Georgia

Source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database, 2008--2024. Analysis by Open Bankruptcy Project.

Methodology note: Chapter 13 plans run 3-5 years. Cases filed 2020-2024 are preliminary -- successful plans are still active, so only early dismissals are reflected. The headline rate uses 2008-2019 data where most cases have reached final disposition. Source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database.

Georgia District Comparison

Northern District (NDGA)

70.8%

245,569 cases filed -- 159,456 dismissed, 59,258 discharged. 44.8% prior filer rate. 11.7% pro se. 7,815 estimated 1328(f) violations. The highest volume of any top-10 worst district.

Richard B. Russell Building (75 Ted Turner Dr SW)

Middle District (MDGA)

50.0%

95,513 cases filed -- 40,978 dismissed, 41,034 discharged. 33.5% prior filer rate. Only 2.5% pro se. 4,587 estimated 1328(f) violations.

Macon -- Columbus -- Albany

Southern District (SDGA)

49.7%

94,058 cases filed. Similar rate to MDGA but covering the southern portion of the state.

Savannah -- Augusta -- Brunswick

Key Statistics

Highest Volume Among the Worst Districts

NDGA processes more Chapter 13 cases than almost any district in America:

245,569 total filings -- one of the largest caseloads nationally
159,456 dismissed -- the majority of all cases filed
Only 59,258 discharges -- a 24.1% success rate
44.8% prior filer rate -- nearly half have failed before
99.0% dismissal in 2024 -- very few cases have reached discharge so far
7,815 estimated 1328(f) violations -- cases that were legally doomed

The Acceleration

NDGA's dismissal rate was relatively stable in the low 70s for over a decade. Post-2020, the preliminary rate rose sharply:

2020: 69.0% -- within the historical range
2021: 79.3% -- a 10-point jump
2022: 92.3% -- among the highest in the database
2023: 97.3% -- continuing to rise
2024: 99.0% -- the highest preliminary rate recorded

In four years, NDGA went from a district where roughly 3 in 10 filers succeeded to one where 1 in 100 does.

The Repeat Filer Machine

44.8% of NDGA filers have filed bankruptcy before -- the highest prior filer rate of any major district. The rate has been near 50% for a decade (peaking at 49.7% in 2017). This creates an enormous cycle:

Consumer files Chapter 13
Case is dismissed (70.8% chance historically, 99.0% now)
Consumer's situation has not improved -- may be worse
Consumer files again, now as a "prior filer"
Many repeat filers are ineligible under 1328(f) time bars
Case is dismissed again, perpetuating the cycle

An estimated 7,815 cases may have been filed in violation of 1328(f) -- meaning those filers paid fees and invested time in cases where discharge was legally impossible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chapter 13 dismissal rate in Atlanta?

The Northern District of Georgia has a 70.8% Chapter 13 dismissal rate based on mature 2008-2019 data where most cases have reached final disposition. 245,569 total cases were filed between 2008 and 2024. Recent years show higher preliminary rates because successful 3-5 year plans are still active.

How many Chapter 13 cases are dismissed in Atlanta?

159,456 out of 245,569 Chapter 13 cases filed in NDGA between 2008 and 2024 ended in dismissal. Only 59,258 resulted in discharge.

What is the prior filer rate in Atlanta bankruptcy?

44.8% of Chapter 13 filers in NDGA have filed bankruptcy before -- nearly half. An estimated 7,815 cases may involve potential 1328(f) eligibility violations.

How does Atlanta compare to other Georgia districts?

NDGA has the worst rate at 70.8% (2008-2019 mature data). The Middle District has 50.0% and the Southern District has 49.7%. Atlanta is significantly worse than the rest of Georgia.

Should I file Chapter 13 in Atlanta?

With a 99.0% dismissal rate in 2024, consult a qualified attorney who can explain their personal track record. Ask about Chapter 7 as an alternative. See our consumer guide for questions to ask before filing.