How fast does credit recover after bankruptcy?

The honest version: bankruptcy shows on your credit report for 10 years (Ch 7) or 7 years (Ch 13). BUT your score often RISES within 12-18 months after discharge because the debt-to-income ratio collapses and the late-payments stop. Most clients qualify for a secured credit card 60 days post-discharge, an unsecured card by 12 months, an auto loan by 18-24 months (at higher rates), and a mortgage by 2-4 years (FHA allows 2 years post-Ch 7, sometimes less). The people I see five years out are often in better shape than they were the year BEFORE filing. The 'credit ruined forever' fear is mostly disinformation pushed by debt-settlement companies.

Free credit report checks at annualcreditreport.com. Watch out for paid 'credit repair' services that promise to remove a bankruptcy — they can't, and most are scams.