You must disclose all your debts in your bankruptcy documents. However, once you have obtained a discharge of debts in bankruptcy there is nothing to prevent you from voluntarily choosing to pay a discharged debt. If you have secured debts, you can sometimes choose to reaffirm them in your bankruptcy case. But regardless of your intentions, when you file for bankruptcy the law requires that you make a complete financial disclosure, including details about all your debts. You must disclose debts you intend to pay and debts that will not be discharged, such as student loans and child support. You must disclose debts to family members and friends. And you must disclose debts that you cosigned for someone else. You must also disclose all assets, income, and expenses, and answer many questions about your financial affairs.
The documents a debtor files under Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 include separate schedules containing detailed information about three general categories of debts. The first category is secured debts, such as home mortgages and car loans, where the creditor has a right to take the property if you fail to make payments. The second is priority claims, including some tax debts and domestic support obligations. The third and typically largest category is unsecured debts, such as credit card debts, medical bills, utility bills and personal loans. Some of these debts may not be discharged by a bankruptcy, but they must be disclosed when you file.
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