Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal process through which individuals or businesses that are unable to repay their outstanding debts can seek relief from some or all of their liabilities. It is designed to provide a fresh start for debtors by either liquidating their assets to pay creditors or restructuring their debts to make repayment more manageable. In the U.S., bankruptcy proceedings are primarily governed by federal law, through the Bankruptcy Code, and are typically categorized into different chapters—most notably Chapter 7 (liquidation) and Chapter 13 (reorganization).

When a bankruptcy petition is filed, it generally triggers an automatic stay, which halts most collection actions against the debtor. The process involves a thorough assessment of the debtor’s financial situation, including assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. Ultimately, bankruptcy aims to balance the interests of both the debtor and creditors, allowing debtors to regain financial stability while ensuring creditors receive some compensation for the debts owed to them.