Title 11 › CHAPTER 12 — ADJUSTMENT OF DEBTS OF A FAMILY FARMER OR FISHERMAN WITH REGULAR ANNUAL INCOME › SUBCHAPTER I — OFFICERS, ADMINISTRATION, AND THE ESTATE › § 1208
A person who filed under this chapter can switch their case to chapter 7 at any time, and they cannot give up that right. If the filer asks to end the case at any time, and it has not already been converted under section 706 or 1112, the court must dismiss the case. That right to dismiss also cannot be waived. On request by someone with an interest in the case, and after notice and a hearing, the court can dismiss the case for cause. “Cause” includes ten things, such as unreasonable delay or serious mismanagement that hurts creditors; not paying fees required under chapter 123 of title 28; missing the plan-filing deadline under section 1221; failing to start plan payments on time; denial of plan confirmation under section 1225 and denial of more time to file or change a plan; major breach of a confirmed plan; revocation of confirmation under section 1230 or denial under section 1229; a plan ending because a condition happened; ongoing losses with no reasonable chance to recover; and failing to pay a domestic support obligation that first becomes due after filing. After notice and a hearing, the court may also dismiss or convert the case to chapter 7 if the filer committed fraud related to the case. A case cannot be converted to another chapter unless the filer would qualify under that chapter.
Full Legal Text
Bankruptcy, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
11 U.S.C. § 1208
Title 11, Bankruptcy
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102