The basic rule is that all debts are discharged unless they fall into one of the several exceptions found in 11 USC § 523, including, but not limited to:

  • Fraud/theft. Debts resulting from a successful effort to obtain money, property, services, or credit using pretenses, fraud, or a false financial statement 
  • Child support/alimony. Debts for alimony, maintenance, or child support.
  • Intentional injury. Debts for intentional or malicious injury to the person or property of another.
  • Taxes. Debts for certain taxes such as income and property taxes.
  • Fines and penalties. Debts for certain fines or penalties, including traffic tickets, payable to and for the benefit of a governmental unit.
  • Student loans. Debts for student loans (unless not discharging the debt would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor’s dependents).
  • Intoxication. Debts arising from a judgment or court decree entered against the debtor for damages resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle while legally intoxicated.
  • Credit card/taxes. Credit card balances to the extent that the balance on the card is the result of paying otherwise nondischargeable taxes.
  • Certain spousal debts: Debts owed by a debtor to a former spouse that qualifies as a “domestic support obligation.” This includes child support, alimony, and property settlements, including a debtor’s obligation to pay certain debts for the ex-spouse.
  • AFDC. Debts owed to a governmental entity to reimburse AFDC payments made to a dependent.