What is the difference between discharging and writing off a debt?

Discharging a debt and writing off a debt are two different things when it comes to bankruptcy law in Washington. Discharging a debt means that a person does not have to pay back any of the debt or has been completely relieved of the obligation to repay it. This is typically done through a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Writing off a debt means that a creditor has to treat the debt as if it is no longer owed by the debtor. This is not a formal process and the debt isn’t erased, but the creditor must write off the debt, which typically means they will no longer try to collect it. This is typically done by creditors who determine that the debtor has no means to pay the debt back. The creditor can still attempt to collect the debt, but it is no longer an obligation for the debtor. In summary, discharging a debt is a legal process where the debt is no longer owed and the debtor is no longer obligated to pay it back. Writing off a debt is not a legal process and the debt is still owed, but the creditor will no longer try to collect it.

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What is the difference between discharging and writing off a debt?

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