"Filing Bankruptcy On Credit Cards" Discussion

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Dennis, It depends on which bills you're asking about- this article can help describe what to do about different types of bills you might have: https://upsolve.org/learn/bills-to-pay-after-bankruptcy/ Here is an additional article on credit cards to give you some guidance: https://upsolve.org/learn/should-i-keep-paying-my-credit-cards-if-i-am-going-to-file-bankruptcy/

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Dennis! I am Upsolve alumni and received my discharge in the summer of 2020. Everybody's financial situation is different, to be sure, but IMO, one of our objectives from a personal finance standpoint is to have a "clean" credit report. 

Upsolve Community Member
When we emerge from Chapter 7, there will be a Public Record (Bankruptcy) on the reports, and all creditors listed in our bankruptcy will be deleted. However, LATE PAYMENTS will remain which figure into your credit score. So, IMO, the more you are able to keep payments on time until filing, the better! :-)

Upsolve Community Member
The Upsolve Community has a new "Room" called [Managing Personal Finances]](https://my.upsolve.org/rooms/19) where these kinds of conversations will be taking place! I hope to see you there! :-) 

Upsolve Community Member
Dennis, you might also be interested in reading https://upsolve.org/learn/stop-using-credit-cards/ to learn more about the court's point of view on your credit card use. 

Upsolve Community Member
What is the billing payment you are referring to? Have you already filed you BK?

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Nicole, It depends on which bills you're asking about- this article can help describe what to do about different types of bills you might have: https://upsolve.org/learn/bills-to-pay-after-bankruptcy/ Here is an additional article on credit cards to give you some guidance: https://upsolve.org/learn/should-i-keep-paying-my-credit-cards-if-i-am-going-to-file-bankruptcy/

Upsolve Community Member
Since you're filing for bankruptcy soon, you might also be interested in the article https://upsolve.org/learn/stop-using-credit-cards/. 

Upsolve Community Member
This article describes the information it sounds like you're wanting to know, Dawn- glad you asked https://upsolve.org/learn/stop-using-credit-cards/ 

Upsolve Community Member
Generally speaking, the most important thing is that you can't make charges that you intend to erase in bankruptcy- that could be considered bankruptcy fraud 

Upsolve Community Member
If you’re getting ready to file and recently used your credit card, it's often a good idea to review what the charges are for. Some expenses are reasonable and won't raise a red flag, but others aren't. Hope that article Travis shared helps!

Upsolve Community Member
I got gas and paid insurance but I’ve made the 2 payment that we’re due

Upsolve Community Member
Hope those articles help you, Dawn! 

Upsolve Community Member
Hi Jennifer, That is not a silly question. It is quite common. It depends on which bills you're asking about- this article can help describe what to do about different types of bills you might have: https://upsolve.org/learn/bills-to-pay-after-bankruptcy/ Here is an additional article on credit cards to give you some guidance: https://upsolve.org/learn/should-i-keep-paying-my-credit-cards-if-i-am-going-to-file-bankruptcy/

Upsolve Community Member
Although it sounds like you already decided to file bankruptcy, you might some more information on credit card debt and bankruptcy in the article https://upsolve.org/learn/file-for-bankruptcy-for-credit-card-debt/. It lists some types of credit card debt that might not get discharged. 

Upsolve Community Member
Jennifer, the articles mentioned above are very helpful. While everyone has different circumstances, when I filed, I had kept current on my credit card payments because "late payments"  take a big chunk out of credit scores, and remain on your credit report for 7 LONG YEARS, regardless of filing bankruptcy or not. (more)

Upsolve Community Member
(cont.) Today, after filing Chapter 7 using Upsolve's software, my credit report is squeaky clean except for two weaknesses: 1) Age of credit (because of loss of cards after bankruptcy) and 2) Bankruptcy itself. In many cases, after filing Chapter 7, credit scores will go up dramatically because, for one, 35% of your credit score is based on UTILIZATION and many of us will have maxed out our credit cards prior to filing. So utilization goes from ~100% to 0% when we file! But late payments will remain if we have them.. 

Upsolve Community Member
Upsolve has a "Room" in this community called https://my.upsolve.org/rooms/19 It's also a good place for conversations about Rebuilding Credit. After filing and receiving my Discharge using  Upsolve in 2020, I have researched, studied, and documented my road back so I hope to see you there! FYI I was at 563 when I filed. a year and a half later, I am around 700. Beware of hucksters out there in CREDIT REPAIR because like Upsolve, you can rebuild your credit for free. Good luck! :-)

Upsolve Community Member
Hello Sarah, The most important thing is that you don’t make any charges with the intention of erasing those debts through bankruptcy. Here is an Upsolve article about using credit cards before filing: https://upsolve.org/learn/stop-using-credit-cards/ Please reach out with any further questions. We are here to help.

Upsolve Community Member
It may prompt the creditor to file an https://upsolve.org/learn/objection-to-discharge/ of the debt.