What you should know before you file for chapter 7 bankruptcy. If someone has filed bankruptcy in the previous 7 years, they may not do so again. Chapter 7 bankruptcy laws require that the debtor attend a court approved credit counseling course and receive a certificate. There are several forms which must be filed for a chapter 7 bankruptcy. These forms will list the debts, income, expenditures, and creditors for each debtor. One must be extremely careful while completing these because any debt or creditor left out will still be able to try to get their money. Different states have different lists of items that the debtor is able to keep. All non-exempt items must be sold by a court appointed trustee, although 99% of individuals that file chapter 7 have no non-exempt property. Chapter 7 is considered one of the quickest means of bankruptcy but like all other forms, it will affect credit ratings. There are times when filing chapter 7 can be voluntary and there are times when it is court ordered. More often than not, it is court ordered because a debtor was non-compliant or deceitful when filing for Chapter 13 or one of the other bankruptcy laws.