Filing for bankruptcy can provide powerful relief from overwhelming financial pressure. It can stop collection calls, halt lawsuits, and eliminate many types of unsecured debt like credit cards and personal loans. But not everything disappears after a bankruptcy discharge.

There are certain debts after bankruptcy that remain your legal responsibility—regardless of whether you file Chapter 7 or Chapter 13. These debts can affect your finances, your credit, and your future plans if not properly understood or managed.

If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, it’s critical to know what’s included and what’s not. In this guide, we’ll walk through the excluded debts list, explain why certain obligations survive bankruptcy, and help you plan for the post bankruptcy bills you may still need to handle.

What Does Bankruptcy Erase?

Let’s start with the good news: bankruptcy can eliminate a significant portion of your unsecured debt, especially if you file under Chapter 7. The following are typically dischargeable:

• Credit card balances
• Personal loans
• Collection accounts
• Medical bills
• Payday loans
• Utility arrears
• Unpaid rent from prior leases
• Some old tax debt (in specific situations)

For many filers, this kind of relief provides a fresh start and a chance to rebuild. But not all debts go away, and understanding which ones don’t is key to making a smart decision.

Common Debts You Still Owe After Bankruptcy

Even after your case is discharged, some obligations continue—either because they’re legally protected from discharge or because you choose to reaffirm them. Here’s a breakdown of the most common debts after bankruptcy that remain:

1. Student Loans (Usually)

Student loans are one of the most common debts that survive bankruptcy. They’re typically not dischargeable unless you can prove “undue hardship,” which is a high legal standard in most courts.

Most people continue paying these loans post bankruptcy unless they qualify for forgiveness or income-based repayment. If your student debt is weighing you down, talk to a counselor before filing to explore other relief strategies that don’t rely solely on bankruptcy.

2. Recent Taxes and Government Debts

While some older tax debts can be erased, most recent IRS debt—especially from the last 3 years—is non-dischargeable. The same goes for:

• Unpaid child support or alimony
• Government fines and penalties
• Court restitution
• Certain overpayments from government benefits

These appear consistently on any excluded debts list, and you’ll need to arrange payment after your bankruptcy case closes.

3. Child Support and Alimony

Domestic support obligations are never erased by bankruptcy. Whether it’s child support, spousal maintenance, or alimony, these obligations continue post bankruptcy in full.

If you’re behind on support, Chapter 13 can help you catch up through a structured repayment plan—but it won’t eliminate the balance.

4. Debts Incurred Through Fraud or Malice

If a creditor proves that your debt resulted from fraud, theft, or intentional harm, the court may decide that it cannot be discharged. This includes debts from:

• Lying on a credit application
• Writing bad checks intentionally
• Causing willful or malicious injury
• Driving under the influence and causing damage

These are case-specific, but if your bankruptcy involves questionable transactions, you may still owe those amounts afterward.

5. Secured Debts You Want to Keep

If you want to keep your house or car and are still making payments, you may choose to reaffirm the loan. This means agreeing to continue paying the secured debt (like a mortgage or auto loan) even after filing.

These post bankruptcy bills continue just like before and must be paid to avoid foreclosure or repossession. Bankruptcy gives you the option to walk away—but if you choose to keep the asset, the debt remains.

The Complete Excluded Debts List

To summarize, here’s a general excluded debts list—obligations you still owe after filing bankruptcy:

• Student loans (in most cases)
• Recent tax debt (within 3 years)
• Court fines and criminal restitution
• Child support and alimony
• Debts related to fraud or willful harm
• Certain personal injury claims (especially from DUI)
• Secured debts you reaffirm (mortgage, car loans)
• Debts not listed in your bankruptcy paperwork

If a debt isn’t included in your filing, the court won’t discharge it. That’s why it’s so important to review every account with a certified counselor or attorney before submitting your petition.

Planning for Post Bankruptcy Bills

Filing for bankruptcy doesn’t mean you’re done with financial responsibilities. It just resets the game. If you’re left with ongoing post bankruptcy bills, you’ll need a plan to manage them responsibly.

Here’s how to prepare:

1. List Your Remaining Debts

Once your discharge is finalized, review your bankruptcy paperwork and make a list of everything that remains. Include balances, payment amounts, and due dates.

Focus especially on:

• Student loan servicers
• Child support enforcement
• IRS or state tax agencies
• Mortgage or auto lenders (if reaffirmed)

This list will be your roadmap moving forward.

2. Set a New Monthly Budget

One of the best outcomes of bankruptcy is breathing room in your monthly finances. With fewer payments to make, you can now allocate more toward debts after bankruptcy that still exist—without falling behind again.

Set a realistic monthly budget, including rent/mortgage, food, transportation, and any surviving debts. Consider using the envelope method or a budgeting app to stay on track.

3. Focus on Credit Rebuilding

Even though bankruptcy may impact your credit initially, it’s also a chance to start fresh. Begin rebuilding by:

Paying all post bankruptcy bills on time

Keeping balances low if you get a secured card

Avoiding unnecessary credit for at least 6–12 months

Monitoring your credit report regularly

Our team at APFSC can guide you through this process with personalized action steps.

4. Don’t Fall for Quick Fixes

After bankruptcy, you may be targeted by high-interest lenders and credit repair scams. Be wary of anyone promising to erase your debts after bankruptcy or “fix” your credit overnight. Stick to proven, legal strategies with nonprofit guidance.

When to Talk to a Counselor

Filing for bankruptcy is not a decision to make alone. Whether you’re trying to decide if it’s the right move or you’ve already filed and are unsure how to handle remaining debt, our counselors at APFSC can help.

We can help you:

• Review your full debt picture before you file
• Understand your rights under bankruptcy law
• Prepare a realistic post-discharge budget
• Manage remaining obligations and rebuild wisely
• Create a long-term plan for financial stability