One of the main reasons people file bankruptcy is to obtain a “discharge.”
A discharge is a court order stating that a debtor does not have to pay most of his/her debts. The discharge will only apply to debts incurred prior to the date on which the debtor’s petition is filed.

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However, some debts cannot be discharged. For example, the following debts are not dischargeable in bankruptcy:

• Most taxes
• Child Support
• Alimony
• Most Student Loans
• Court Fines and Criminal Restitution
• Personal Injury Damages caused by driving drunk or while under the influence of illegal drugs

A debtor may only receive a chapter 7 discharge once every eight (8) years. Other rules may apply if the debtor previously received a discharge in a chapter 13 case.