Bankruptcy Discharge

A bankruptcy discharge gives rise to an injunction prohibiting a creditor from attempting to collect most pre-bankruptcy debts as a personal liability of the debtor. 11 USC 524(a).

Table of contents for this topic:

Cases

Inadequate notice precludes discharge of a claim in bankruptcy. In re Grossman's, Inc., 607 F.3d 114, 126 (3rd Cir. 2010). But see 11 USC 523(a)(3) (no "no notice" exception to discharge if no dividend paid to creditors with notice).

Commentary

While the discharge prevents creditors from attempting to collect, it does not prohibit debtors from voluntarily making payment. 11 USC 524(f). In addition, debtors may enter into reaffirmation agreements which except otherwise dischargeable debt from the general discharge.

The types of debts discharged varies between Chapter 7, Chapter 11, Chapter 9, Chapter12, and Chapter 13. See also the comparison at Bankruptcy Chapter 7 And Chapter 13 Discharge.

A discharge of debt by bankruptcy does not result in taxable income. However, the taxpayer/debtor may be required to reduce certain tax attributes. See 26 USC 108 for more on this topic.

Violation

The discharge is an injunction. So a debtor who believes a creditor is violating the discharge should – after attempting to mitigate (by, for example, sending the creditor a cease and desist letter) - request an order to show cause why the creditor should not be held in civil contempt.(1) Alternatively, consider an action under Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Practice pointers

As a general rule, liens survive bankruptcy. So if your debtor client has a basis to avoid a creditor's lien then you should seek lien relief while the case is still open. More about this at Bankruptcy Lien Avoidance.

Because a bankruptcy discharge reduces tax attributes, 26 USC 108, if your client is considering a sale of assets it may make sense to time the sale to occur before the bankruptcy filing.

See also

• Bankruptcy Chapter 7 And Chapter 13 Discharge - a comparison
• Bankruptcy Discharge Exceptions - certain debts excepted from discharge
• Bankruptcy Discharge Objections - denying a discharge of all debts
• Bankruptcy Reaffirmation
• 26 USC 108 - Income from discharge of indebtedness (Internal Revenue Code)

External links

• Judge Margaret Dee Mc Garity, Community Property, Divorce And Bankruptcy, September 2008.

Footnotes

Notes

1 : See Barrientos v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., No. 09-55810 (9th Circuit 2/10/11) (adversary to enforce discharge dismissed; proper procedure is motion).

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