Dischargeable debt is a debt obligation that is erased when a person files for bankruptcy. In the United States, the debts that qualify as dischargeable depend on whether a person is filing for a Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
When an individual's debts are discharged, he or she is no longer required to pay it back. When a person files for bankruptcy, his or her debt obligations are classified into two categories: dischargeable and nondischargeable. In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, all or almost all of a person's debts are often discharged. Common types of dischargeable debts include personal loans, credit card bills, and health care bills. Common examples of nondischargeable debt include student loans, fines, alimony, and child support.