To discharge a bankruptcy means to end it. In order for a bankruptcy to be discharged, the terms of the bankruptcy must be met in full including any repayment to creditors as assigned by the Trustee. The time length for a discharge is dependent upon how much debt is incurred within the bankruptcy, the debtor's ability to make repayments, and the overall length of monthly repayments. Debtors may pay in advance of the monthly installment if they are so able and the discharge would be effected earlier than envisioned in the court process.
The formal declaration that a bankruptcy is over and that a debtor has completed the terms of the bankruptcy is referred to as discharge. It means that the bankruptcy process is complete.