Time Frame

• You can file bankruptcy before, during or after a lawsuit. This is true even if the lawsuit results in a court judgment against you.
  
  

Discharge

• The main purpose for filing bankruptcy is to receive a discharge of your debts, which means you are no longer legally obligated to pay those debts.
  
  

Types

• Some types of court judgments are discharged in bankruptcy, but some are not. The general rule is that bankruptcy discharges all judgments. However, bankruptcy does not discharge judgments for family support obligations, government-imposed fines or penalties, or taxes.
  
  

Family Support Obligations

• Family support obligations include decrees such as court orders that require payment of child support or alimony. They also include orders to pay debts in a divorce decree. These judgments will not be discharged in bankruptcy.
  
  

Government Fines

• If you broke a law and were ordered by the court to pay a fine or penalty, your financial obligation will not be discharged in bankruptcy.
  
  

Taxes

• Judgments for unpaid income taxes and property taxes are not discharged in bankruptcy.