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What happens to credit card debt when you file Chapter 7?

Author

Sarah Martinez

Updated on January 24, 2026

Chapter 7 Gets Rid of Credit Card Debt and Judgment Debts When you file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition, you include all your debts. A Chapter 7 case discharges most, if not all, unsecured debts, including credit card debts and personal judgments from debt collection lawsuits.

Can credit card debt be forgiven under Chapter 7?

Your problem debts can be discharged, or forgiven, by Chapter 7. These include debts such as medical bills, credit card debt and personal or payday loans.

How long does Chapter 7 stay on your credit card?

10 years
Chapter 7 bankruptcies stay on consumers’ credit reports for 10 years from their filing date.

How long is credit ruined after Chapter 7?

According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a Chapter 7 bankruptcy may stay on your reports for 10 years from the date you file. A discharged Chapter 13 bankruptcy typically stays on your reports for seven years from the date you file, but it could remain for up to 10 years if you don’t meet certain conditions.

Can I get a credit card while in Chapter 7?

You cannot apply for any new lines of credit—including a credit card—while your bankruptcy proceedings are in progress without court approval. The amount of time it takes to settle and complete your bankruptcy proceedings will determine when you can apply for a credit card.

Can Chapter 7 be removed early?

However, contrary to popular belief, you can remove a bankruptcy from your credit report early, and you can get credit after a bankruptcy. You do NOT have to wait up to 7 or 10 years after the bankruptcy filing date to get a mortgage, car loan, or any other type of credit again.

Can a credit card be cancelled in Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

If you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and are hoping to hang onto one of your credit cards, you will likely be out of luck. Once your credit card company learns of your bankruptcy, it will almost certainly cancel your card.

Can you get rid of credit card debt in bankruptcy?

In most cases, you can get rid of credit card debt in Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Updated By Cara O’Neill , Attorney A primary reason many people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to discharge (wipe out) credit card debt.

Why do people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy?

A primary reason many people file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to discharge (wipe out) credit card debt. In most situations, your obligation to pay the balance will go away at the end of your case–except in instances of fraud, that is.

Can a credit card be reaffirmed after bankruptcy?

Reaffirming credit card debt in bankruptcy should be used only as a last resort, however, because once you do that, your debt won’t be discharged. Think hard about whether you really need that card, and read about your other options below. Still, if you have a card with a very low balance, you might consider reaffirming.