What debts cannot be discharged in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case?

Under the bankruptcy laws, there are several types of debts that you cannot cancel or discharge. Foremost, bankruptcy will not discharge a “secured debt.” In other words, if you have loan to pay for your house or car, it will not be cancelled if you want to hang on to that house or car. Furthermore, if you do not list the debt when you file for bankruptcy, it cannot be discharged; likewise, if you fail to provide adequate contact information, the debt will not be released if the creditor cannot be reached.

You cannot discharge student loans except in extremely rare cases where a student loan debt will cause “undue hardship.” (Undue hardship includes persistent poverty and a good faith effort to try to pay off the debt.) Neither can you discharge tax debts (including income tax or property tax), except in extreme cases. Also, you cannot discharge alimony or child support, court ordered fine or fees, debts resulting from intoxicated driving, nor debts that couldn’t be discharged in a previous bankruptcy.