Which debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy?

In Washington, certain debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. These include any debts acquired by fraud or deceit, such as credit card fraud or embezzlement; child support, alimony, and other domestic support obligations; student loans; and taxes. Other nondischargeable debts may include some civil court judgments, certain debts not listed in the bankruptcy filing, and debts that are a result of a criminal act, such as restitution payments or fines. In addition, any secured debt such as a mortgage or car loan generally cannot be discharged in bankruptcy. To discharge these debts the property securing them, such as a house or car, must be sold and the proceeds used to pay off the debt. If there is a balance of debt remaining even after the sale of the property, then that portion can be discharged in bankruptcy. Debts that have been previously discharged in bankruptcy are not able to be discharged again. If a debtor has filed for bankruptcy multiple times, then debts from all the previous bankruptcies cannot be discharged in the current bankruptcy proceedings. Overall, bankruptcy should not be the first option for dealing with debt. It is a serious process with long-lasting effects and should only be used when all other options have been exhausted.

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Which debts cannot be discharged in bankruptcy?

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