What is a dischargeable debt?

A dischargeable debt is a debt that can be written off legally when filing for bankruptcy. In Washington, debtors can eliminate certain unpaid debts such as credit card bills, medical bills, utility bills, and personal loans through the discharge process. To be eligible for discharge, the debt must meet certain criteria set by the law. The most common form of dischargeable debt is unsecured debt, which is debt not backed by any collateral. Unsecured debt includes credit card debt, medical bills, utility bills, and personal loans. Debts that are secured by collateral, such as a car loan or home mortgage, are not considered dischargeable. In addition, some debts may not be dischargeable even if they are unsecured. These types of debts include student loans, child support or alimony payments, and certain taxes. Debts arising from intentional fraud or injury are also not dischargeable. When filing for bankruptcy, debtors must list all of their debts. From there, the court will decide which debts can be discharged and which will still need to be paid. Once the court has issued a discharge, the debtor is no longer responsible for the discharged debts. The creditor can no longer attempt to collect on the discharged debt.

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