The Federal Bankruptcy Code provides for protection from creditors. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 of the Code are designed to help consumers get a fresh start, free from debt.

The automatic stay is a very powerful tool providing protection from creditors. The automatic stay stops many creditor actions, including:

- Foreclosure

- Vehicle repossession and repossession of other property

- Garnishing of wages

- IRS and other tax liens and levies

- Creditor phone calls and other communication

- lawsuits

The claims of creditors will still exist, but they cannot take action to collect on those claims. Unsecured debts will usually be eliminated through discharge. Those creditors that have a security interest in property will be treated differently depending on whether you wish to keep the property.