Fresh Start
Life happens. We make it easy to get back on track.
Bad credit, a turn-down at another dealer or a high-interest loan: how the main program works at Bud Clary Ford.
Fresh Start Finance Program
Bankruptcy Doesn't Have to Mean No Car.
Need a dependable truck to reach the job that pays your Chapter 13 plan, or starting over after a Chapter 7? The court papers come first, and our finance office in Longview will help you line them up.
Which papers fit your case
| Your case | Lenders generally want | Check first with |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter 7, discharge entered | Your case number and the court's discharge order. U.S. Courts puts the discharge at roughly 60 to 90 days past the first scheduled date of the creditors' meeting. | Our finance office |
| Chapter 7, not yet discharged | Most often the discharge itself. Don't sign for new credit before asking. | Your bankruptcy attorney |
| Chapter 13, making plan payments | The trustee's written approval, or the court's. U.S. Courts warns Chapter 13 filers against new debt without first consulting the trustee. | Your attorney and trustee |
| Chapter 13, finished | Your Chapter 13 discharge order | Our finance office |
This is general information, not legal advice. Your bankruptcy attorney or trustee is the one to ask about your own case.
Chapter 13 in Cowlitz County: getting a vehicle loan cleared
Cowlitz County belongs to the Western District of Washington, one of the state's two federal bankruptcy districts (28 U.S.C. 128). After a Chapter 13 plan is confirmed, that district's Local Bankruptcy Rule 3015-2 allows you to ask the trustee, in writing, to approve financing a vehicle.
When the trustee signs off, no separate court order is required; when the trustee doesn't, your attorney can take it to the court by motion. Lenders have their own stake in this step. 11 U.S.C. 1305(c) says that when a lender knew, or should have known, that asking the trustee first was practicable and nobody did, its claim in the case for that new consumer debt can be disallowed. Expect a lender to ask for that approval before it funds anything.
Get ready in five moves
Your attorney's advice comes first. These steps simply help a lender see where you stand today.
- Gather the court papersClosed case: the discharge order. Chapter 13 still running: the written OK to take on new debt. Misplaced the discharge order? Your attorney's office can send another.
- Check all three credit reportsThey're free at AnnualCreditReport.com. See that every account from your case shows the right status. A bankruptcy may appear on reports for as long as 10 years under federal law, counted from the order for relief that started the case (15 U.S.C. 1681c).
- List every source of incomeWages, overtime, a second job, self-employment, benefits and a pension all belong on the application. Regulation B keeps a lender from discounting income because it's part-time or a pension, though each lender settles how much of it to rely on.
- Keep the loan leanA truck sized to the work, cash down or a trade all trim what you borrow, and if you're mid-plan, expect the trustee to check that the new payment leaves the plan intact.
- Compare inside one windowSeveral auto lenders checking your credit inside 14 to 45 days generally adds up to one inquiry for scoring (CFPB), so keep your shopping short.
What a lender sees besides the bankruptcy
A bankruptcy is one entry in a larger file. According to the CFPB, lenders also weigh income and existing debts, the amount borrowed, the down payment next to the vehicle's value, and whether the vehicle is new or used.
There isn't a fixed wait after a discharge; lenders decide that for themselves. Our finance office asks where your case stands before anything goes out, so the application lands with lenders that take bankruptcy files. Approval isn't guaranteed.
Bankruptcy terms you'll run into
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Discharge | The court order that ends your personal responsibility for most of the debts covered by the case (U.S. Courts). Keep a copy handy for the lender. |
| Trustee | The person appointed to administer the case. While a Chapter 13 runs, you pay the trustee, and you consult the trustee before taking on new debt. |
| Confirmation | The court's approval of a Chapter 13 repayment plan. In the Western District, the written vehicle request under LBR 3015-2 comes after it. |
| Chapter 13 plan | A court-approved schedule of payments, typically lasting three to five years, while you hold on to your property (U.S. Courts). |
| Reaffirmation agreement | Signing on to keep paying a debt that a Chapter 7 would otherwise erase, like an existing car loan. Decide on one with your attorney. |
Buyers who started over with us
★★★★★800+ five-star Google reviewsRead our Google reviews for Bud Clary Ford
“I was uneasy because I had a small budget and had a bankruptcy a few years ago, Travis was very optimistic and calmed my nerves! And he treated me like VIP.”
Charisse W., Google review, May 2025
“Enjoying my experience at Bud Clary. First purchase 2 years into bankruptcy and they really came through for me.”
Rustel K., Bud Clary Subaru, Longview, Google review, January 2023
“...They treated me with respect, explained every detail, and never once made me feel judged because of my credit.”
Lindsey B., Bud Clary Hyundai, Longview, Google review, October 2025
Excerpts from 5-star Google reviews, quoted as written. Every buyer's situation is different, and lenders make every credit decision.
A work truck that fits the plan
Buying used keeps the amount borrowed down. Every used vehicle on our lot has passed a 137-point inspection and carries 3-month / 3,000-mile limited warranty coverage, its CARFAX report at no charge and a 3-day / 300-mile exchange. Your first 2 oil changes and 2 tire rotations come free with it (only the tire rotations on an electric vehicle).
Browse used vehicles under $20,000 or the whole used inventory. Found it at a different Bud Clary store? We'll move it to our Longview lot for free, and it can be here the same day.
Other guides in the program
First-time buyers
No credit isn't bad credit. It's a starting point.
After a discharge, a credit file can look a lot like a first-time buyer's, short on open accounts. Here's what lenders weigh when there's little to read.
Bring these to 700 7th Ave
- Case closed? The discharge order. Chapter 13 still open? The written approval from your trustee or the court.
- Your case number, plus your attorney's office phone
- A valid driver's license
- Pay stubs, benefits letters, or (if you're self-employed) tax returns with your 1099s
- Proof of address such as a utility bill or lease
- Insurance details or your agent's phone number
Court papers in hand?
Use the quiz above, send the full application online, or call (360) 423-4321 and our finance office will pick it up from there.
Visit Bud Clary Ford
Bud Clary Ford700 7th Ave
Longview, WA 98632
Sales
- Mon - Fri
- 8:30 AM - 7:00 PM
- Saturday
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Sunday
- 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Service
- Mon - Fri
- 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
- Saturday
- 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Sunday
- Closed
Frequently asked questions
When can I buy a truck after my Chapter 7 discharge?
Once the court enters the discharge, you can apply; bring the order with you. There's no one waiting period, because each lender writes its own rules.
Can I finance a vehicle before my Chapter 7 is discharged?
Ask your bankruptcy attorney first. Taking on credit before the case closes is their call to advise on. Lenders generally ask to see the discharge anyway.
Can I buy a truck while in Chapter 13?
Yes, with the trustee involved. The federal courts' Chapter 13 guide says to consult the trustee first. In the Western District of Washington, LBR 3015-2 then allows a written request once your plan is confirmed.
Why does the lender want the trustee's approval?
Partly to protect itself. Federal bankruptcy law (11 U.S.C. 1305(c)) can disallow the lender's claim for that debt if it knew, or should have known, that getting the trustee's OK first was practicable and it was skipped.
How long does a bankruptcy stay on my credit report?
Credit bureaus may report it for as long as 10 years under federal law. Recent or old, a lender will likely ask about it, and each one weighs it differently.
Will a Ford dealer work with me after bankruptcy?
Bud Clary Ford accepts applications whether your case is discharged or a Chapter 13 plan is still running, and our finance office routes them to lenders open to bankruptcy files. Each lender decides, and approval isn't guaranteed.
Does the Fresh Start Finance Program have anything to do with my bankruptcy case?
No. The phrase 'fresh start' comes up in bankruptcy law, but this program is only Bud Clary Ford's label for the way we work with buyers whose credit has taken a hit. It plays no part in the case itself and doesn't stand in for your attorney.
Related pages
The Fresh Start Finance Program is Bud Clary Ford's name for how our finance team handles applications from buyers with bad credit, no credit or a past bankruptcy. Financing comes from outside lenders, which decide approval and terms, and approval isn't guaranteed. This page is general information, not legal advice. A negotiable documentary service fee of up to $200 may be added to the sale price.