How To Find All the Debts You Owe

How Do You Find All Your Debts and Creditors When Filing Bankruptcy?

Once you’ve decided that you should file for bankruptcy, you have to start collecting the right information. You need to list the names and addresses of every person and business you owe money to on your bankruptcy forms.

It can be hard to remember everyone you owe money to, especially if your debts have gone to collections or been sold to a debt collector. But here are some ways to help with this:

• First, run your credit report from all three bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You can get free weekly reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.

• Next, gather recent mail from creditors and debt collectors. Don't forget to look in your email for online statements as well! It's also helpful to look for mail from medical providers and hospitals if you have medical debt.

• Finally, if you aren't sure where a debt account ended up, consider contacting the original creditor directly.

Remember that the most important information you need is the creditor’s name and mailing address and an estimate of what you owe on the account.

Check Your Credit Report

Almost all of your credit card debts, personal loans, and secured debts like car loans or a mortage will be listed on your credit report, so this is a great place to start.

For older debts that are in default, credit card companies sometimes sell the debt to debt collection agencies. These agencies generally also show up on your credit reports even though you never directly borrowed money from. 

What About Medical Bills and Court Judgment?

Debts like medical debt and court judgements aren't reported to the credit bureaus right away (or at all), so they won’t show up on your credit report.

Medical bills may not show up on your credit report.

To find out the hospitals or doctors you owe, your best bet is to look through any old bills that you may have.

If you can’t find physical copies of the bills you owe, you can call the provider and ask for details on the debt.

You don’t have to tell them that you’re going to file for bankruptcy. You can just say that you’re looking to find out if you owe a balance, and if so, what the details are. 

Court judgments also don't usually appear on credit reports. If you kept any records from the lawsuit, consult those first to find out debt details.

If that's not possible, you can try contacting the court that handled the lawsuit for more information. You may also be able to look the case up online at your local court.

Keep in mind that court websites are often tough to navigate, so don’t feel discouraged if you do not get it right away or you need to contact the court to get the information you need. 

Gather Mail and Emails From Creditors and Debt Collectors

If all your accounts aren't listed on your creditor report or you simply want to cross-reference the information, mail from creditors is one of the best ways to find out who you owe.

If you’ve fallen behind on payments, you’ve probably received letters or notices in the mail. Start gathering any mail you’ve received in the past few months, including bills, past-due notices, and collection letters. Even if a letter is from a company you don’t recognize, hold on to it. Debts are often sold to other companies, so a letter might be from a debt collector who now owns the account.

Don’t forget to check your email, too! Many people get bills and account updates electronically, especially for things like credit cards, personal loans, or online services. Search for terms like “statement,” “bill,” “payment reminder,” or the names of companies you’ve borrowed from.

It's okay if you can't find every single piece of mail or email. These are just tools to help you remember all your creditors. The most important thing is doing your best to list everyone you owe, even if you don’t know the exact balance or account number.

Call Creditors or Debt Collectors if You’re Unsure

If you’re still unsure whether you owe money on a specific account — or if you’re confused about who currently owns the debt — it’s okay to make a quick phone call. You can contact the original creditor or a debt collector to ask if there’s an outstanding balance in your name.

You don’t need to explain why you’re calling. You can simply say something like, “I’m checking to see if I still have a balance on this account.” You’re not required to mention that you’re thinking about bankruptcy.

Make sure to write down the name of the person you spoke with, the date, and what they told you. If they confirm there’s a balance, ask for a mailing address and the total amount due. This helps you get the right information for your bankruptcy forms.

If you’re nervous about calling, just remember—you’re not doing anything wrong by trying to get a clear picture of your finances. You're taking a responsible step to get back on track.

What About money That You Owe Friends and Family?

First, make sure to include the names of the friends and family you owe on your bankruptcy forms. You must include them, even if they haven’t told you that you need to pay them back or if they told you that they don’t want to be listed on your bankruptcy.

The law requires you to list everyone you owe to the best of your knowledge. You can’t choose who you want to leave off your forms.

You can pay back whoever you want after your bankruptcy, including friends and family. Bankruptcy just helps you erase your debts that are eligible to be erased under the Bankruptcy Code. That means that you don’t have to pay back these debts if you don’t want to, but you still can if you do want.