Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is something that more people consider as the economy toughens, yet few people who use Chapter 7 know how they can use the advantages of this legal tactic. Filing a petition under chapter 7 “automatically stays” (stops) most collection actions against the debtor or the debtor’s property. 11 U.S.C. § 362. But filing the petition does not stay certain types of actions listed under 11 U.S.C. § 362(b), and the stay may be effective only for a short time in some situations.
