Discharge in Bankruptcy — Bankruptcy Law Basics
What is a discharge in bankruptcy?
A bankruptcy discharge releases the debtor from personal liability for certain specified types of debts. In other words, the debtor is no longer legally required to pay any debts that are discharged. The discharge is a permanent order prohibiting the creditors of the debtor from taking any form of collection action on discharged debts, including legal action and communications with the debtor, such as telephone calls, letters, and personal contacts.
Although a debtor is not personally liable for discharged debts, a valid lien (i.e., a charge upon specific property to secure payment of a debt) that has not been avoided (i.e., made unenforceable) in the bankruptcy case will remain after the bankruptcy case. Therefore, a secured creditor may enforce the lien to recover the property secured by the lien.
Bankruptcy Law Center Contents
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Bankruptcy Law Center
- Automatic Stays Under Bankruptcy Law
- Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Law
- Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Law
- Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Law
- Chapter 12 Bankruptcy Law
- Repeat Bankruptcy Filings & Legal Requirements
- Business Bankruptcy Law
- Emergency Bankruptcy Filings & Legal Requirements
- Involuntary Bankruptcy Filings & Legal Requirements
- Credit Counseling and Debtor Education Courses Legally Required for Bankruptcy
- Joint Bankruptcy Petitions for Married Couples & Legal Implications
- Bankruptcy Exemption Laws
- Collections Laws and Bankruptcy
- Bankruptcy Legal Procedures
- Eviction Legal Issues Related to Bankruptcy
- Foreclosure Legal Issues Related to Bankruptcy
- Lien Avoidance Under Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Law
- Lien Stripping Under Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Law
- How Unemployment Can Legally Affect Filing for Bankruptcy
- Protecting Your Assets During the Bankruptcy Legal Process
- Tax Law Issues Related to Bankruptcy
- Alternatives to Bankruptcy Under the Law
- Bankruptcy Legal Forms
- Elderly People Filing for Bankruptcy & Distinctive Legal Concerns
- Divorce Law Issues Related to Bankruptcy
- Preparing for the Bankruptcy Legal Process
- Employment Discrimination Laws Related to Bankruptcy
- Working With a Bankruptcy Lawyer
- Bankruptcy Law FAQs
- Find a Bankruptcy Lawyer
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