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Credit cards and bankrupcy - here's everything you need to know about the two in combination
10 min read
Realizing that you cannot pay off credit card debt can be gut-wrenching. Minimum payments go mostly towards covering accrued monthly interest charges, while the principal barely gets touched. You have no extra disposable income and have no way of getting ahead in payments.
Bankruptcy can be a way to regain control of your personal finances and create a fresh start. This guide explains what happens to your credit cards if you decide to file, and how filing can affect your future credit prospects.
By and large, most credit card debt can be discharged by filing for bankruptcy. The way these balances get discharged depends on which type of filing you make – Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy ensures that almost all credit card debt gets erased. This is the best option to file for if you absolutely think you cannot pay off your debt in a timely manner, or if you owe more money than you can reasonably afford to repay. The vast majority of people that file bankruptcy file Chapter 7 and have their debt eliminated in about 90 days, tax-free.
In order to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you must meet income requirements. In other words, if you make less income than the average income for the state you live in, you most likely will be able to file. Note that if your income surpasses the state’s average income, you may need to get advice from an expert.
Filing for bankruptcy and receiving a discharge will not remove any accounts from your credit report. Instead, they will be noted as “discharged through bankruptcy.” While Chapter 7 filing will be noted in the public records section of your credit report for ten years, the accounts will be removed after seven.[1]
Chapter 13 bankruptcy is more along the lines of a repayment plan. To file Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will have to pay back a portion of your debts on a schedule. This takes between 36 months and 60 months. Chapter 13 bankruptcy is the best option to file if you cannot pay back all your debt but do not qualify for Chapter 7.
You may also choose Chapter 13 if your assets do not qualify for exemptions in Chapter 7. If you don’t want to lose your car, home, or other assets to discharge credit card debt during your bankruptcy, then you may choose to file Chapter 13.
As you work your way through a Chapter 13 repayment plan, the accounts included in your bankruptcy will be noted as “included in bankruptcy.” After the three to five years when you complete the payments and receive a discharge, the status will be updated to “discharged through bankruptcy” for the remainder of the seven years. The Chapter 13 filing itself will also be removed from your credit report seven years from the filing date.[1]
Ensuring that as much of your credit card debt can be discharged is all about timing. If your credit card was used for unnecessary expenses within 90 days of your filing date, there’s a chance that balances will not get discharged.
There is also a possibility that you could get in trouble for fraudulent activity if you run up balances just before you file. Credit card companies can make a case to the bankruptcy court that your debt was fraudulent if you made luxury purchases of $600 or more in the 90 days before you filed. Such luxury goods can include things like:
However, if you use your credit card for necessary expenses that you simply cannot afford on your income, the debt will be discharged. Examples include essential car or house repairs, gas, medical bills, groceries and other things you or your dependents need to survive.
The best course of action is to talk to a local bankruptcy attorney that is licensed in your state. They typically offer free consultations and can help you come up with the best timeline to file.
Cash advances on your credit card can also be a negative factor when you file for bankruptcy. The debt is not discharged if you take out over $950 in cash advances 70 days prior to filing for bankruptcy. This stands regardless if you use that advance for essentials or luxury purchases.
There is an exception for the cash advance penalty. For example, let’s say you took out a cash advance to repay student loans. You then get diagnosed with a severe medical condition that renders you unable to work, so you file for bankruptcy. Because you are unable to repay this debt due to extreme hardship, it will be discharged. Note that if you took out the cash advance to pay your student loans intending to discharge the debt in bankruptcy, you can be sued for nondischargeability.
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