Data from 91,497 Chapter 13 cases across both Kansas City districts, analyzed from the Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database (2008-2024).
If you are considering Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Kansas City, these statistics should inform your decision:
Source: Federal Judicial Center Integrated Database, 2008-2024. Analysis by Open Bankruptcy Project.
| Metric | W.D. Missouri | D. Kansas | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ch. 13 cases | 46,548 | 44,949 | 91,497 |
| Cases dismissed | 16,844 | 11,748 | 28,592 |
| Cases discharged | 21,878 | 25,615 | 47,493 |
| Dismissal rate (2008-2019) | 40.4% | 31.4% | -- |
| Prior filer rate | 28.6% | 26.1% | -- |
| Pro se rate | 3.8% | 1.6% | -- |
| Est. 1328(f) violations | 2,134 | 2,421 | 4,555 |
| 2024 preliminary rate | 93.5% | -- | -- |
The Western District of Missouri's dismissal rate has risen from 35.5% in 2010 to a preliminary 93.5% in 2024. Even accounting for the fact that recent years overcount dismissals (because successful plans are still running), the trend line is unmistakable. Something is going wrong on the Missouri side.
28.6% of Missouri-side filers had a prior bankruptcy case. Nearly 1 in 3 people filing Chapter 13 in W.D. Mo. have been through this before. This cycling through the system suggests the first filing failed to provide lasting relief -- and raises questions about whether filers were properly screened under section 1328(f).
An estimated 4,555 cases across both districts may involve potential eligibility violations under 11 U.S.C. section 1328(f) -- filings where the debtor had a prior discharge within the statutory time bar and could never have received a new discharge. These cases consume court resources and cost consumers time and money for a legally impossible outcome.
Between 2008 and 2024, the Kansas City metro area saw 91,497 Chapter 13 filings. W.D. Mo. had 46,548 cases and D. Kansas had 44,949. Filing volumes peaked around 2010-2011 following the financial crisis.
The success rate (discharge rate) is about 59.6% in W.D. Mo. and 68.6% in D. Kansas (2008-2019 mature data). About 4 in 10 Missouri-side filers and 3 in 10 Kansas-side filers have their cases dismissed.
Chapter 13 plans run 3-5 years. Cases filed 2020-2024 are still active if succeeding -- only early dismissals are counted. The 93.5% rate for 2024 does not mean 93.5% will ultimately fail; most successful plans have not finished yet. The 2008-2019 data is most reliable. Methodology details.
Use the free 1328(f) screener to check whether a prior discharge affects your eligibility.
Free Discharge Screener