Struggling with debt you can't repay? There's a way out.
Straight, judgment-free answers about your options for a fresh start — free tools, plain-English guides, and a no-obligation review with a licensed attorney who handles cases in your state.
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Is bankruptcy right for you?
Answer a few quick questions about your debt and income. Get a personalized read on your options — no email required to see your result.
Start the free assessment →General information only, not legal advice. Using this site doesn't create an attorney-client relationship.
You're not the only one — and it's fixable
Falling behind on payments is stressful and isolating, but it's more common than you think, and there's a clear, legal path forward. Whatever you're facing — collection calls, a lawsuit, a garnishment, or just numbers that no longer add up — the first step is simply understanding your options. That's what this site is for.
What's really on your mind?
Most people don't arrive knowing legal terms — they arrive with a worry. Start where you are.
Should I file for bankruptcy?
Weigh the pros, cons, and alternatives before you decide.
Get clarity →Can it actually erase my debt?
What gets wiped out — and what usually doesn't.
Find out →How do I stop debt collectors?
The automatic stay and your rights under the FDCPA.
Stop the calls →Can I keep my house and car?
How exemptions and Chapter 13 protect what matters.
See how →What happens afterward?
Life, credit, and rebuilding after your case ends.
Look ahead →Which type is right for me?
A plain-English map of every bankruptcy option.
Compare options →The full picture — not just Chapter 7 & 13
Bankruptcy isn't one thing. Different chapters exist for different situations. Here's the complete map, in plain English — a licensed attorney can tell you which fits you.
Chapter 7
"Liquidation." Erases qualifying unsecured debt in a few months if you pass the means test. Learn more →
Chapter 13
A 3–5 year repayment plan that lets you catch up while keeping your home or car. Learn more →
Chapter 11
Reorganization used mainly by businesses (and some high-debt individuals) to keep operating while restructuring debt. Learn more →
Chapter 12
A tailored repayment plan for family farmers and fishermen with regular annual income. Learn more →
Chapter 15
Handles international insolvency cases that involve more than one country. Learn more →
Other options
Debt settlement, debt management plans, and negotiation may fit smaller balances. Compare alternatives →
Get a personalized read on your options
Answer a few questions for a general sense of which path may fit your situation. It's an educational estimate, not a determination — but it's a clear place to start.
A general educational estimate — the real means test weighs household size, expenses, and disposable income, which only a licensed attorney can apply. Using this tool doesn't create an attorney-client relationship.
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Chapter 7 vs Chapter 13 vs debt settlement
| Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | Debt settlement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best when | Income is lower; mostly unsecured debt | Income is steady; want to keep property | Balances are smaller; want to avoid filing |
| How long | A few months | 3–5 years | Varies (often 2–4 years) |
| Stops collectors | Yes — automatic stay | Yes — automatic stay | No legal stay |
| Keep home/car | If within exemptions | Yes — catch up over time | Not directly affected |
| Credit impact | Significant, fades over years | Significant, fades over years | Negative; possible tax on forgiven debt |
A simplified overview — your situation may differ. A licensed attorney can tell you which path actually fits.
Plain answers, any time
Ask how bankruptcy works, whether it can stop a garnishment, or what happens to your car. For your specific situation, the guide will point you to a licensed attorney.
General information · not legal advice
Get your finances organized
Books and tools we genuinely rate for anyone facing debt — for taking stock, budgeting, and rebuilding. As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Bankruptcy self-help guides
Plain-English books that walk through filing, exemptions, and the process step by step.
View on Amazon →Budgeting & money planners
Simple planners and workbooks to map income, bills, and a payoff plan.
View on Amazon →Credit repair & recovery books
Practical guides to rebuilding your credit score after a financial reset.
View on Amazon →Document folders & storage
Keep pay stubs, statements, and filings organized for your case.
View on Amazon →Identity protection
Monitoring and protection tools while your finances are in flux.
View on Amazon →Personal finance books
Bestselling guides to building a stable financial future.
View on Amazon →Connect with a licensed bankruptcy attorney
We're not a law firm — we help connect you with independent, licensed attorneys. Browse our local guides, or get a free case review now.
Everything you need to know about bankruptcy
From deciding whether to file, to picking a chapter, to rebuilding years later — explore the full library.
How to Avoid Bankruptcy
Warning signs and realistic options to try first.
Read guide →How to File for Bankruptcy
A general step-by-step overview, including the means test.
Read guide →Exemptions by State
What you keep varies significantly by where you live.
Read guide →Individuals vs. Businesses
How Chapter 7/13 differs from Chapter 11.
Read guide →Managing Debt After Filing
Habits that keep you from falling back into debt.
Read guide →Financial Recovery Strategies
A staged plan: stabilize, protect, then grow.
Read guide →Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before, during, and after your filing.
Read guide →Checklists & Resources
Document checklists plus our free starter guide.
Read guide →Bankruptcy FAQ
Every common question, answered in plain English.
Read guide →Bankruptcy & debt relief FAQ
Should I file for bankruptcy?
Can bankruptcy really erase my debt?
How do I stop debt collectors from calling?
Can I keep my house and car?
Will everyone find out I filed?
The Debt Relief & Bankruptcy Starter Guide
A clear, no-jargon guide: how to tell if bankruptcy fits, what each option means, a document checklist, and the exact questions to ask an attorney. Yours instantly.
- Your options at a glance — every chapter, plus alternatives
- How to stop collectors and protect your paycheck
- A document & checklist to prepare
- 10 questions to ask a bankruptcy attorney
Get the free guide
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