A chapter 7 bankruptcy usually lasts a certain number of months from start to finish, if there are no issues.  In many cases the greatest cause for delay is the client.  Although many clients are timely in their responses to our questions and requests for documents, some tathan inordinate amount of time to get the information to us.  However once, we have all of their information a bankruptcy petition can be filed in a matter of days. After a bankruptcy petition is filed, the debtor is required to attend the Meeting of Creditors (aka the 341a meeting) approximately one month thereafter.