Your Debt in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Before you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it's important to understand what will happen to your property. For many filers, Chapter 7 bankruptcy will wipe out most or all of their debts. But some debts won't be discharged (wiped) out in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
Below you'll find overview articles explaining what happens to your debts (both secured and unsecured), articles on specific types of debts, and a link to articles focused exclusively on secured debts.
Your Debt: Overview Articles
Your Debt: Overview Articles
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Which Debts Can You Discharge in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy clears debt like credit card balances, medical bills, past-due rent payments, payday loans, overdue cellphone and utility bills, car loan balances, and even home mortgages in as little as four months. Learn more about the debts that are "discharged" or eliminated when filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.
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Nondischargeable Debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Although most debts are discharged (cancelled) in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, some cannot be. Learn about these nondischargeable debts.
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Priority Debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Priority debts get paid first in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
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Will My Cosigner Be Liable for Debt if I File Bankruptcy?
Find out if your cosigner or guarantor will be on the hook for your debt if you file for bankruptcy.
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Can I Repay Debts That Were Discharged in Bankruptcy?
When your bankruptcy case is over, you can voluntarily pay off debts that your bankruptcy discharged.
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Discharging Cosigned Student Loans in Bankruptcy
If you are the cosigner on someone else’s student loan, in most courts you cannot discharge your obligation to repay that loan unless you meet bankruptcy’s undue hardship standard.
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Discharging Social Security Overpayments in Bankruptcy
Unless you've committed fraud, you can discharge Social Security overpayments in bankruptcy.
How Specific Debts Are Treated in Chapter 7
How Specific Debts Are Treated in Chapter 7
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Which Debts Can You Discharge in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Chapter 7 bankruptcy clears debt like credit card balances, medical bills, past-due rent payments, payday loans, overdue cellphone and utility bills, car loan balances, and even home mortgages in as little as four months. Learn more about the debts that are "discharged" or eliminated when filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection.
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Credit Card Debt in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
In most cases, you can get rid of credit card debt in Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
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Eliminating Tax Debts in Bankruptcy
Most taxes can't be eliminated in bankruptcy, but federal income tax can be erased if it meets bankruptcy discharge requirements. Find out how to determine if bankruptcy will clear tax debt or if you'll remain responsible for paying federal income taxes after your bankruptcy case.
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Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy
Yes, you can file for bankruptcy on student loans, and it's getting easier to "discharge" or erase student loans in bankruptcy. But debtors can’t wipe out student loan debt in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy without filing a separate litigation matter. You must prove to a bankruptcy judge that repaying your student loans would cause you undue hardship. If successful, you can get rid of your student loans in bankruptcy.
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Tax Debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
You can discharge recent income tax debt in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, but most other types of taxes are not dischargeable. Here are the details.
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Nondischargeable Debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Although most debts are discharged (cancelled) in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, some cannot be. Learn about these nondischargeable debts.
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Find out how to keep or surrender your timeshare in Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy, as well as what happens to timeshare mortgage debt and maintenance fees if you file for bankruptcy.
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Child Support Debt in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Chapter 7 bankruptcy does not get rid of your obligation to pay ongoing child support and back child support.
Questions on Debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
Questions on Debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
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Do I have to surrender credit cards at my bankruptcy 341 hearing?
Generally, you aren't required to surrender your credit cards to the bankruptcy trustee. Depending on where you live, certain bankruptcy courts or trustees might ask you to turn them over. Learn about filing for bankruptcy on credit cards, keeping credit cards in bankruptcy, and applying for a credit card after bankruptcy.
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Can I Repay Debts That Were Discharged in Bankruptcy?
When your bankruptcy case is over, you can voluntarily pay off debts that your bankruptcy discharged.
More Chapter 7 Debt Articles
More Chapter 7 Debt Articles
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Do I have to surrender credit cards at my bankruptcy 341 hearing?
Generally, you aren't required to surrender your credit cards to the bankruptcy trustee. Depending on where you live, certain bankruptcy courts or trustees might ask you to turn them over. Learn about filing for bankruptcy on credit cards, keeping credit cards in bankruptcy, and applying for a credit card after bankruptcy.
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Will My Cosigner Be Liable for Debt if I File Bankruptcy?
Find out if your cosigner or guarantor will be on the hook for your debt if you file for bankruptcy.
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Using Your Credit Cards for Luxury Purchases Before Bankruptcy
If you use your credit card to buy luxury goods before you file bankruptcy, you run the risk of having to repay the debt.
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When Will the Trustee Abandon Property in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
If the trustee abandons your property Chapter 7 bankruptcy , you get to keep it. Find out more.
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Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy
Yes, you can file for bankruptcy on student loans, and it's getting easier to "discharge" or erase student loans in bankruptcy. But debtors can’t wipe out student loan debt in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy without filing a separate litigation matter. You must prove to a bankruptcy judge that repaying your student loans would cause you undue hardship. If successful, you can get rid of your student loans in bankruptcy.
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Discharging Cosigned Student Loans in Bankruptcy
If you are the cosigner on someone else’s student loan, in most courts you cannot discharge your obligation to repay that loan unless you meet bankruptcy’s undue hardship standard.
Secured Debt & Property in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
MoreSecured Debt & Property in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
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Learn about secured debts and how creditors can collect them.
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Surrendering Secured Property in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, if you don’t want to keep an item of property that serves as collateral for a secured debt, you can “surrender" it.
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Secured Debts in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: An Overview
Learn about secured debts, what happens to them in bankruptcy, and your options for keeping or giving up the property that serves as collateral for secured debts.
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Redeeming Secured Property in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
You might be able to keep financed personal property in Chapter 7 by paying the creditor its value in one lump sum, a process known as Chapter 7 redemption. Often, people find they pay significantly less than what they owe.
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Reaffirming Secured Debt in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy
In Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you can keep property secured by collateral (such as your car) by reaffirming the debt.
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