Can I File for Bankruptcy After a Lawsuit?

Once a debt collection lawsuit is filed, it’s almost impossible to stop it. Your options are pretty much limited to: 

• fighting the lawsuit (and winning), 

• settling or paying off the debt, 

• filing a bankruptcy petition

Will filing bankruptcy stop a civil lawsuit?

Yes. As soon as a bankruptcy case is filed, the automatic stay protections kick in. The automatic stay stops legal actions like debt collection lawsuits. 

Pending lawsuits a bankruptcy filing won’t stop

The Bankruptcy Code does put certain limitations on the automatic stay protections. The types of civil lawsuits that continue even after a bankruptcy proceeding is filed include: 

• proceedings to establish paternity, 

• proceedings to establish or modify child support or alimony, 

• child custody and visitation matters.

A bankruptcy filing also doesn’t stop criminal cases from moving forward. 

Foreclosures and Evictions

Both foreclosures and evictions typically involve a lawsuit in the state court. Filing bankruptcy will temporarily stop a foreclosure or eviction, but it’s not a permanent solution. 

For more, check out these articles in our Learning Center: 

• Can Bankruptcy Stop Foreclosure?

• Can Bankruptcy Stop Eviction?

If I can fight the lawsuit why wouldn’t I do that instead of filing bankruptcy? 

If you’re sued for an unpaid debt, whether that’s a credit card or a car loan, fighting the lawsuit typically just delays the inevitable. If you borrow $2,000 and then don’t pay it back, you don’t have much in the way of defenses. If you don’t think the debt collector is owed the money, definitely make them show their proof. 

Keep in mind that as long as the debt collector can show that you incurred the debt that’s owed to them, there aren’t many legal defenses to non-payment. If there’s no reason to believe that the debt you’re being sued for is invalid, it’s probably more effort than it’s worth.

What about filing bankruptcy after losing a lawsuit? 

Whether you’ve just been served with a summons and complaint or the case has been concluded and a judgment entered against you, filing Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy will stop the lawsuit and related collection actions. This also works if a default judgment has been entered. 

Getting garnished? Bankruptcy will stop that too.

Typically it doesn’t take long for judgment creditors to ask the court for authorization to garnish your wages. If a bankruptcy filing is already in the works, it usually makes sense to submit your petition to the bankruptcy court before a garnishment starts. Stop it before your employer even hears of it and - more importantly - before any of your wages are garnished.

If the garnishment has already started, bankruptcy law stops it and protects your future wages. 

Does Bankruptcy Clear lawsuit debt?

Generally speaking, yes. As long as the underlying debt is dischargeable, the lawsuit debt is dischargeable also. If the debt you got sued over was not dischargeable before, it’ll still be nondischargeable once it’s reduced to a judgment. 

Exceptions for Fraud

If the lawsuit was based on a claim of fraud or other bad acts, the lawsuit debt may not be dischargeable in bankruptcy. If you’re subject to a fraud complaint, your best bet is to get a knowledgeable bankruptcy lawyer to advise you on your best course of action. 

What’s a judgment lien and why should I care?

A judgment is a court order. This court order can be turned into a judgment lien that can attach to real estate like your home. The process for this depends on state law. Judgment liens can turn your unsecured debt (like credit card debt) into a secured debt. A bankruptcy judge can make a judgment lien go away if the only real property you own is covered by an exemption. 

What happens if I sue someone before I file bankruptcy?

If you have a lawsuit pending against someone else, the lawsuit is considered an asset of your bankruptcy estate. The most common situation where this happens is for personal injury cases. The bankruptcy trustee handling your Chapter 7 bankruptcy will step in your shoes and take over the personal injury suit. 

The federal bankruptcy exemptions and some of the states protect personal injury claims, at least to a certain amount. If you’re in an opt-out state and have a personal injury case against someone (even if it’s not been filed yet), make sure you speak to a bankruptcy attorney. They’ll be able to explain how bankruptcy law may or may not affect your case. This is especially important if you have ongoing medical bills you’re hoping to pay with money from the lawsuit.

What happens if you sue someone and they file bankruptcy?

If you bring a civil case against someone and they file bankruptcy, your lawsuit is stopped by the automatic stay. Since the bankruptcy judge can sanction you for violating the automatic stay, it’s important that you stop your collection actions against that person.

Exception: Child support and related family court matters. As noted above, the automatic stay doesn’t stop certain family court proceedings. 

Let’s Summarize

If you’ve been sued by a creditor because you can’t pay your debts, filing bankruptcy will stop the lawsuit. You can also file bankruptcy after you’ve already lost the lawsuit and a judgment has been entered against you.