Discharge

One of the main reasons people file bankruptcy is to get a “discharge.”  A discharge is a Court order that states that you do not have to pay most of your debts. 

There are some debts that cannot be discharged.  Examples of these are: most taxes, child support, alimony, most student loans, Court fines, criminal restitution and personal injury caused by driving drunk or under the influence of drugs.

The discharge will apply to the debts that arose before the date you filed.  A Judge can deny a discharge if he or she finds that you received money or property by fraud, or if you are dishonest with regard to filing your bankruptcy.

You can only receive a Chapter 7 discharge once every eight years.