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A decision to file for bankruptcy should be made only after determining that bankruptcy is the best way to deal with your financial problems. This web page cannot explain every aspect of the bankruptcy process. If you still have questions after reading it, you should speak with our attorneys. Bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which a person who cannot pay his or her bills can get a fresh financial start. The right to file for bankruptcy is provided by federal law, and all bankruptcy cases are handled in federal court. Filing bankruptcy immediately stops all of your creditors from seeking to collect debts from you, at least until your debts are sorted out according to the law. Bankruptcy may make it possible for you to: - Eliminate the legal obligation to pay most or all of your debts. This is called a ''discharge'' of debts. It is designed to give you a fresh financial start. - Stop foreclosure on your house or mobile home and allow you an opportunity to catch up on missed payments. (Bankruptcy does not, however, automatically eliminate mortgages and other liens on your property without payment.) - Prevent repossession of a car or other property, or force the creditor to return property even after it has been repossessed. - Stop wage garnishment, debt collection harassment, and similar creditor actions to collect a debt. - Restore or prevent termination of utility service. - Allow you to challenge the claims of creditors who have committed fraud.