Bankruptcy is a proceeding under federal law that allows partial or total relief from the repayment of your debt obligations.  The relief initially comes in the form of an “automatic stay” Order effective immediately upon the filing of the bankruptcy petition.  This Stay Order stops most creditors from commencing or continuing collection action against you.  Indeed, the stay is so pervasive that it sometimes requires creditors to return recently repossessed property to you.  If all goes well, the Court will enter a “discharge” Order at the end of the case eliminating your responsibility to pay certain debts.