What type of debt cannot be discharged?

Asked by: Deontae Heller  |  Last update: June 29, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (37 votes)

Debts that generally cannot be discharged in bankruptcy include domestic support (alimony/child support), most student loans, certain taxes, debts from fraud or willful/malicious injury, court-ordered fines/restitution, and debts from DUI accidents, along with those not listed or secured by property, due to public policy protecting families, government, and victims of misconduct.

What types of debt are not discharged?

What debts are not dischargeable?

  • most taxes.
  • domestic support obligations.
  • most student loans.
  • most fines, penalties, forfeitures or criminal restitution obligations.
  • debts for personal injuries or death caused operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
  • debts which were not properly listed by the debtor.

What debt cannot be erased?

Special debts like child support, alimony and student loans, will not be eliminated when filing for bankruptcy. Not all debts are treated the same. The law takes some debts very seriously and these cannot be wiped out by filing for bankruptcy.

Which of the following cannot be discharged?

The following types of debts are not discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy: Criminal fines, fees to a government agency and court-ordered restitution. Some categories of taxes (this is usually trust account taxes such as payroll taxes, sales tax, etc) Child support, spousal support and maintenance will not be ...

Which of the following debts cannot be discharged?

Back child support, alimony obligations and other debts dedicated to family support. Debts for personal injury or death caused by driving while intoxicated. Student loans, unless it would be an undue hardship for you to repay.

What Type of Debt Cannot Be Discharged in Bankruptcy?

16 related questions found

What debt can be discharged?

Most unsecured credit card debt can be discharged. Medical bills – Whether it's a single ER visit or years of unpaid treatment, medical debt is often eligible for discharge. Personal loans – Including payday loans or installment loans from finance companies.

What types of debt usually cannot be erased or reduced?

A: Some types of debt cannot be wiped out in bankruptcy. Common examples include student loans, child support, alimony, and most tax debts. Additionally, debts from fraudulent activity or fines from criminal cases are not discharged.

What are three examples of a nondischargeable debt?

Examples include a home mortgage, debts for alimony or child support, certain taxes, debts for most government funded or guaranteed educational loans or benefit overpayments, debts arising from death or personal injury caused by driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, and debts for restitution or a ...

What is not discharge?

Non-Discharge is the treatment of wastewater and disposal/reuse. Non-Discharge is NOT the discharge to surface waters of the state or utilization of a sub-surface disposal system (i.e. septic system with leach field) Types of Non-Discharge Permits: Wastewater Irrigation.

What debt is erased with bankruptcies?

Filing for bankruptcy forgives most unsecured debts, like credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, and past-due utilities/rent, offering a financial fresh start by eliminating your personal liability, but it generally doesn't forgive secured debts (mortgages, car loans) unless you surrender the property, and common exceptions include recent taxes, child/spousal support, student loans (usually), criminal fines, and debts from fraud. 

What type of debt can be forgiven?

Examples of debts that a lender may forgive include credit cards, student loan debt, medical debt, a mortgage (through foreclosure), or even a personal loan.

What's the worst debt you can have?

The Worst Kinds of Debt to Have

  • Credit Card Debt. Credit cards are convenient. ...
  • Student Loan Debt. The biggest problem with student loan debt is the amount borrowed. ...
  • Tax Debt. Tax debt is especially painful due to the consequences that occur if you cannot pay off your tax debt. ...
  • Mortgage debt.

What debts become uncollectible?

For debts arising from written contracts, such as loan agreements or other formal agreements, the statute of limitations is four years. This period starts from the date the contract was breached, typically when a payment is missed.

What type of debt cannot be erased?

Types of debt that cannot be discharged in bankruptcy include alimony, child support, and certain unpaid taxes. Other types of debt that cannot be alleviated in bankruptcy include debts for willful and malicious injury to another person or property.

Which debts are discharged upon death?

Debts That May Be Discharged or Forgiven

  • Federal student loans. Federal student loans are typically discharged upon your death, once your family provides proof of death. ...
  • Private student loans. Whether these are forgiven depends on the lender. ...
  • Certain private loans or lines of credit. ...
  • Military service–related debts.

Can a creditor collect on discharged debt?

The discharge is a permanent order prohibiting the creditors of the debtor from taking any form of collection action on discharged debts, including legal action and communications with the debtor, such as telephone calls, letters, and personal contacts.

What kind of debts cannot be discharged?

The most common types of nondischargeable debts are certain types of tax claims, debts not set forth by the debtor on the lists and schedules the debtor must file with the court, debts for spousal or child support or alimony, debts for willful and malicious injuries to person or property, debts to governmental units ...

How to legally discharge a debt?

Courts can issue a discharge ruling when the debtor meets the discharge requirements under Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 of federal bankruptcy law, or the ruling is based on a debt canceling. A canceling of debt happens when the lender agrees that the rest of the debt is forgiven.

What is a non-dischargeable debt?

Nondischargeable Debts are debts that cannot be extinguished in bankruptcy. As a threshold matter, regardless of the type of bankruptcy, 11 U.S.C. § 523 categorizes certain debts as nondischargeable.

What debt never goes away?

The IRS has substantial authority to collect on debts such as student loans or unpaid taxes. It could intercept your tax refund or take your paycheck or bank account. Consumers often can work out a repayment plan to resolve these debts. Like child support, they generally never go away, even in bankruptcy.

Which of these types of debts can be forgiven?

Debt forgiveness is when a lender or creditor agrees to wipe out all or part of a debt. You may be able to apply if you have unsecured debts, like credit cards, student loans or tax debt. Medical debts and mortgages may also qualify for some types of relief.

What bills go away with bankruptcies?

Bankruptcy is a great way to get rid of credit card debt, medical bills, and personal and payday loans. But bankruptcy can't wipe out recent income tax you owe, alimony, child support, or debt incurred from illegal acts (embezzlement, larceny, etc.).

What is a debt that Cannot be recovered?

bad debt. Bad debt refers to debt such as a loan or advance that a creditor can no longer recover. A debt cannot be recovered for a variety of reasons such as insolvent debtors.

What are the worst types of debt?

High-interest loans -- which could include payday loans or unsecured personal loans -- can be considered bad debt, as the high interest payments can be difficult for the borrower to pay back, often putting them in a worse financial situation.

What debt gets erased in bankruptcies?

Most consumer debt is dischargeable in bankruptcy. Chapter 7 bankruptcy wipes out medical bills, personal loans, credit card debt, and most other unsecured debt. Debt that is related to some kind of “bad act,” like causing someone injury or lying on a credit application, can't be wiped out.