Will I be forced to close all credit accounts in a

[Jakob B]

Will I be forced to close all credit accounts in a bankruptcy?

I'm getting ready to file a chapter 13 bankruptcy (due to medical & divorce) and I still have 4 or 5 open credit cards with a $0 balance, 1 that I'm using and paying in full, and the others are going to be in the bankruptcy. Once I file I'm sure 1 or 2 of them will probably close the cards automatically due to credit reasons, but if by chance they don't will the court make me close them or will I be able to keep them open?

[Firestorm]

If you have a zero balance then they don't have to be included in the bancruptcy. The only ones you really have to report are the ones you want to have the courts dismiss for you the ones with a balance.

[mndapa1]

Don't include any cards with azero balance in the bankruptcy.

Only include debts that you want discharged. Lets say you have an automobile installent loan - if you include it in the bankruptcy you should file an affimation request so that you can keep the car. But, still make the payments.

There are debts you might not want to include in bankruptcy, such as a personal loan from a friend or relative. YOU decide what you want to write off. Just remember it will take three years to start improving your credit and ten years for it to come off your credit report. So keeping cards with zero balances out of the bankruptcy might be a good idea since getting credit will be difficult in the near future.