Legal Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult with a qualified bankruptcy attorney for advice specific to your situation.

Bankruptcy Help & Resources

Answers to common questions and helpful resources for your bankruptcy journey

Need Immediate Help?

Attorney Support

Contact your attorney for case-specific questions

Emergency Situations

Foreclosure/Eviction:

File immediately for automatic stay protection

Wage Garnishment:

Filing stops most garnishments immediately

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don\'t transfer assets

Transferring property before filing can be considered fraud

Don\'t pay family/friends first

Preferential payments can be reversed by the trustee

Don\'t incur new debt

New debt before filing may not be discharged

Don\'t forget any creditors

Unlisted debts may not be discharged

Don\'t drain retirement accounts

Most retirement accounts are protected in bankruptcy

Don\'t file without an attorney

Pro se filers have much lower success rates

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on any question to see the answer

Eligibility

Do I qualify for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

Eligibility

What's the difference between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13?

Process

How long does the Chapter 7 process take?

Process

What happens at the 341 Meeting of Creditors?

Costs

Can I pay attorney fees in installments?

Costs

What if I can't afford the filing fee?

Assets

Will I lose my car in Chapter 7?

Assets

Can I keep my home in Chapter 7?

Debts

Which debts are NOT discharged in Chapter 7?

Debts

What happens to my student loans?

Credit

How will bankruptcy affect my credit score?

Credit

Can I get credit after bankruptcy?

Documents

What if I can't find all my bills?

Documents

Why do I need my spouse's income if filing alone?

Helpful Resources

External resources and tools for your bankruptcy process

Summit Financial Education

course

Approved provider for both pre-filing credit counseling and post-filing debtor education courses. $15 per course.

U.S. Courts - Bankruptcy Basics

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Official information about bankruptcy from the federal court system.

Means Test Calculator

calculator

Calculate whether you qualify for Chapter 7 based on your income and expenses.

Free Credit Reports

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Get free credit reports from all three bureaus to identify all creditors.

Bankruptcy Forms

form

Official bankruptcy forms from the U.S. Courts.

State Exemptions

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Find out what property you can keep in bankruptcy based on your state.