You may have all types of debts that are weighing heavily on you. Most of these debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy, but there are a few exceptions.
The most common dischargeable debts are credit cards, medical bills, obligations under leases and contracts, personal loans and promissory notes.
The most common debts that are not dischargeable are alimony and child support payments, certain tax debts, and criminal fines and penalties (like parking tickets or moving violations) imposed on you by the government.
The most common debts that are sometimes dischargeable are student loans, some IRS income taxes, and debts from prior lawsuits. The term "sometimes" is used because it depends on the circumstances of the debt. For instance, if your student loans are causing a tremendous burden and you have made a good faith effort to pay them back, they may be discharged. In regards to regular income taxes, if the taxes have been owed for more than three years, and the IRS has not reassessed the amount in the last 240 days, they may be discharged.
You should consult with a LegalZoom-provided attorney on all of your debts to determine whether or not they can be discharged in bankruptcy.
