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There are many reasons debt can catch up to a person, including job loss and illness to the individual or family provider. Many of these reasons are beyond the control of the individual.

Once a debtor has filed bankruptcy, the act of the filing puts an automatic stay on debt collection. This means that no debt collector can continue to harass the debtor. Upon filing, a notification is sent to all creditors. If for some reason a creditor has not received or ignores the notice, the debtor should notify the creditor that he or she has filed bankruptcy and all communications should be ceased. If the debtor has a bankruptcy lawyer, communication may be re-routed to the lawyer.

The free Bankruptcy Worksheet is a good place to start for anyone considering the legal issues surrounding personal or business bankruptcy.  Or, you can Consult a Legal Pro to help you with credit and bankruptcy legal information and bankruptcy filing.

Please note: This page offers general legal information, not but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. Rocket Lawyer Incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. For further information on this topic, you can Ask a Legal Pro.


Written and Reviewed by Experts
Written and Reviewed by Experts
This article was created, edited and reviewed by trained editorial staff who specialize in translating complex legal topics into plain language.

At Rocket Lawyer, we believe legal information should be both reliable and easy to understand—so you don't need a law degree to feel informed. We follow a rigorous editorial policy to ensure every article is helpful, clear, and as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

About this page:

  • This article was written and reviewed by Rocket Lawyer editorial staff
  • This article was last reviewed or updated on Feb 11, 2025

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