A business or an individual can declare bankruptcy once they have ascertained that it has become impossible to pay off one’s creditors. It can give you a chance to start over from a financial point of view, as most of debts are relieved after bankruptcy as been filed.

Chapter 7, or liquidation bankruptcy, means that your “estate” (i.e., your assets) is sold in order to pay off your creditors. A reorganization bankruptcy can also involve the selling of assets, but more often than not you can retain a majority of your assets while your creditors’ needs are assessed.

Reorganization bankruptcies can be filed under the following guidelines:

• Chapter 9 – municipalities
• Chapter 11 – businesses and individuals with many assets
• Chapter 12 – farmers, fisherman
• Chapter 13 – individuals with steady income
• Chapter 15 – international cases