Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal status of a person or entity that cannot repay the debts it owes to creditors. It is a process initiated by an individual or business seeking relief from some or all of their debts. In many jurisdictions, bankruptcy occurs through court proceedings, which can help eliminate or restructure debts and provide a fresh financial start.

The most common types of bankruptcy for individuals in the United States are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Chapter 7 involves liquidating assets to pay creditors, while Chapter 13 allows individuals to create a repayment plan to pay back debts over time. For businesses, bankruptcy can enable reorganization while continuing operations or liquidation of assets to repay creditors.

Bankruptcy is designed to protect both debtors and creditors. It allows debtors to eliminate or reorganize debts and gives creditors a chance to recoup some of their losses. However, it also has long-term consequences on credit ratings and can affect future borrowing ability. In essence, bankruptcy serves as a legal mechanism to address insolvency and provide relief for debtors in financial distress.