What to Expect Before, During, and After Bankruptcy

Credit Counseling
One of the most drastic reforms in the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) of 2005 is the requirement that the debtor consult

Notice of Discharge
If there is no trouble with the debtor's Chapter 7 Petition, or once the debtor has paid creditors under a Chapter 13 plan, and assuming that all adversary proceedings have been resolved, the debtor will receive a Notice of Discharge. There may be some forms required to get a judgment removed, but other than bookkeeping matters the debtor has at this point been given a fresh start.

Timeline
The length of the bankruptcy process varies from case to case. It can range from a few months to four or five years. Chapter 13 plans typically call for a three- or five-year timeline. Adversary proceedings are uncertain, though most bankruptcy courts attempt to quickly move them through the system.