Should I Pay My Bills Before Filing for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?
Posted on Oct 23, 2015 1:25pm PDT
Chapter 7 bankruptcy is designed to help people clear out debts which they
can’t afford to pay off. Due to the very nature of this process,
many people wonder if they should even bother paying their creditors if
they plan on filing for Chapter 7. In this blog, our Atlanta bankruptcy
attorneys discuss what debts you can ignore, and which ones should always be paid.
Nondischargeable Debts
Some debts cannot be discharged in any bankruptcy case, unless the debtor
can prove that they have some sort of extraordinary circumstance. You
should always prioritize paying off these debts, as they will follow you
even after the completion of your bankruptcy case. These include, but
are not limited to:
- Certain tax debts
- Debts related to child or spousal support
- Student loans
- Debts related to a DUI injury case
- Criminal restitution payments
Dischargeable Debts
If a debt is dischargeable, it may not be in your best interests to make
payments prior to filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. However, this will
depend on the type of debt, as well as how soon you plan to actually file.
For example, you will likely want to continue making your mortgage or
car payments, unless you expect that it will be sold during the bankruptcy
process. For credit cards, on the other hand, making payments can be a
waste of money.
However, this does NOT mean that you now have free license to rack up credit
card bills. If the court suspects that you used the cards to purchase
luxury items, or that you were attempting to charge money with no intention
of paying it back, they may choose not to discharge these debts.
Don’t Take Unnecessary Risks
While paying certain creditors prior to filing bankruptcy can be a waste
of money, you should always seek counsel from an experienced Atlanta bankruptcy
lawyer before making this decision. When you retain Purcell Law Firm,
P.C., our attorneys can educate you on the best course of action, and
help guide you to debt relief.
Considering bankruptcy? Call (978) 853-6497 today for seasoned counsel.