Can you use credit cards during bankruptcies?
Emma Miller
Updated on January 26, 2026
You can keep a credit card in bankruptcy, but there are some considerations you need to be aware of. If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, can you keep a credit card so you can use it afterward? While it generally is not a good idea to keep a credit card in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, in most cases you can do it.
What happens if I use my credit card before bankruptcy?
If you run up your credit card balances right before filing for bankruptcy, the debt might not be wiped out by your bankruptcy. You can generally discharge credit card debt in bankruptcy.
What can you not do after filing bankruptcies?
After you file for bankruptcy protection, your creditors can’t call you, or try to collect payment from you for medical bills, credit card debts, personal loans, unsecured debts, or other types of debt. Wage garnishments must also stop immediately after filing for personal bankruptcy.
Should you max out cards before bankruptcy?
The answer to this question is “no.” The bankruptcy law says that if you incur a debt with the intention of discharging it in bankruptcy, the debt is fraudulent and can’t be discharged.
Will I lose my tax refund if I file Chapter 7?
A tax refund is an asset in both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve already received the return or expect to receive it later in the year. As with all assets, when you file for bankruptcy, you can keep your return if you can protect it with a bankruptcy exemption.
Can you use a credit card before filing for bankruptcy?
If you use your credit cards shortly before filing for bankruptcy, your credit card company might have grounds to argue that the recently incurred charges shouldn’t be eliminated by your bankruptcy discharge. Whether a credit card company will ask the court to declare the charges nondischargeable will depend on: when you incurred the new debt.
When to stop using credit cards before filing Chapter 7 in?
Let’s Summarize… It’s time to stop using your credit cards once you know that you’re going to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy and at least 90 days before filing, if possible. You can’t max out credit cards before bankruptcy just because you’re about to file.
Can a credit card company object to discharge in bankruptcy?
Learn more in Why a Creditor May File an Objection to Discharge in Bankruptcy. If you use your credit card to purchase expensive luxury items shortly before filing for bankruptcy, you can expect the credit card company to contest the discharge of the debt in bankruptcy court.
What should I not buy before filing bankruptcy?
Things like jewelry, dinners out, electronics, furniture, unneeded clothing and shoes, plane tickets, tickets to sporting events or concerts, and even holiday gifts are not considered necessities. Cash advances before filing bankruptcy are also a big no-no.