Can an already dismissed ch7 BK be reopened?

First of all, let's try to clarify some terms you are using because they affect the answer to your questions. When you say your bankruptcy case was dismissed, that means that you did not receive a discharge of debts.  Thus, why would your creditors want to reopen your case at all?  They have no restrictions on trying to collect on your debts if you did not receive a discharge. If you DID receive a discharge, then your case was NOT dismissed as you stated.  In that event, I would think that YOU would want to reopen the case to add any omitted creditors, if necessary. In the Ninth Circuit (which includes California), there is no need to add omitted creditors in a "no-asset" chapter 7 case.  You should check with an experienced bankruptcy attorney in your district as to whether it is necessary for you to reopen your case to add any omitted creditors. Mark Markus has been practicing exclusively bankruptcy law in California since 1991.  He is a Certified Specialist in Bankruptcy Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization,  AV-Rated by martindale.com, and A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau.