Overwhelmed by debt? Bankruptcy isn't the only route. These options may provide faster and less damaging relief.

If you're overwhelmed by student loan debt and can't make ends meet, you may be wondering if you can file for bankruptcy on student loans. The truth is that federal and private student loans ...

*Chapter 7 bankruptcy, also known as “liquidation bankruptcy,” allows people to discharge most unsecured debts. This includes medical bills, payday loans, and credit card balances. A trustee may sell ...

Debts are divided into two categories: dischargeable and nondischargeable. Dischargeable debts are those that the debtor is no longer personally liable to pay after the bankruptcy proceedings are ...

Elysse Bell is a finance and business writer for Investopedia. She writes about small business, personal finance, technology, and more. Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, ...