If you owe a great deal of debt, but, at the same time, are determined to pay back debt, then Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be an option for you. If you have sufficient income with which to repay at least a portion of your debts, Chapter 13 can allow you to enter into a three to five year repayment plan in order to pay off priority debts, and pay toward at least some of your other non-priority debts. Additionally, in some cases, Chapter 13 bankruptcy may be the only type of bankruptcy that is available to you. Under new federal laws, debtors seeking to proceed in Chapter 7 bankruptcy face more stringent income requirements; as a result, debtors whose income is above median income levels for their state and family size, and/or who can repay at least a portion of their debts, may not be eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.