Filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Tennessee can feel daunting at the beginning but the good news is that it does not last forever. After your case was initially filed, a payment plan was worked out whereby you would repay all of your debts covered by the bankruptcy. Once you successfully complete all of those payments, your bankruptcy can be discharged.
The discharge will apply to all of the debts that were covered under your repayment plan. However, according to the United States Courts website, certain kinds of long term debts, such as student loans, alimony payments and mortgages may continue, as they are generally not dischargeable under Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Once your bankruptcy is discharged, creditors are prohibited from contacting you about those debts.
In order for your discharge to be filed, a few criteria will have to be met. For instance, your current case cannot be concluded if another Chapter 13 discharge was filed by you in the previous two years. It also cannot be discharged if you have any domestic support obligations that remain unpaid. Some trustees may also require you to complete an educational course on managing your finances prior to discharge.
If for some reason, you are unable to fully complete your repayment plan, you may qualify for a limited discharge due to hardship. For example, if you are severely injured and are no longer able to work enough to even modify your plan, you may qualify for a hardship. This information is general in nature and is not intended to be legal advice.
