Debtor FAQ's

What does “bankruptcy” mean?

Bankruptcy is a legal process designed to help a person or company repay debts under the protection of the courts. Everyone has the right to file for bankruptcy, and filing generally stops most creditors from seeking to collect debts. The goal of most debtors is to obtain a discharge order from the bankruptcy judge. The discharge order has the effect of releasing the debtor from many forms of debt that were incurred prior to the bankruptcy filing.

Bankruptcies generally fall into two categories: liquidation (Chapter 7) and reorganization (Chapter 13). Under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you ask the bankruptcy court to wipe out (discharge) the debts you owe. Under a Chapter 13, you file a plan with the bankruptcy court proposing how you will repay your creditors.

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