Facing Creditor Contact During or After Bankruptcy?
Tim Helbing • February 22, 2024
February 22, 2024

If you’re struggling with debt, you’re likely familiar with protections against creditor harassment. But what happens if they contact you during or after bankruptcy? Here’s what you need to know:
Protections during bankruptcy:
- Automatic Stay: Filing triggers a court order prohibiting creditors from collection activities like contacting you, suing you, or repossessing collateral.
- Violation Remedies: If a creditor violates the stay:
- You can request the court to order the return of repossessed property.
- You may be entitled to compensation for losses, attorney fees, and emotional distress.
- The court can impose sanctions like fines for contempt of court.
Protections after bankruptcy:
- Discharge: Completing bankruptcy discharges most debts, meaning you legally don’t owe them anymore.
- Discharge Violation: If a creditor attempts to collect discharged debts:
- You have similar rights as during stay violations, including seeking compensation and attorney fees.
- The creditor may face court sanctions.
Things to remember about creditor contact:
- Most creditors respect the law, but violations can occur.
- Fighting back against violations typically doesn’t cost you anything upfront, as attorney fees may be recovered.
- Seek legal advice: An experienced bankruptcy attorney can guide you on your options and ensure your rights are protected.
We can help you navigate the legal landscape and enforce your rights effectively. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you’ve experienced creditor harassment during or after bankruptcy.
The post Facing Creditor Contact During or After Bankruptcy? appeared first on Helbing Law Office, LLC.

June 27, 2025
Your finances should be able to help you live the life you deserve. They shouldn’t be a source of constant stress. If you never have enough money to cover your bills, it is probably time for you to make some tough choices. One of these is whether you are going to continue to struggle to pay off debts or if you are going to file for bankruptcy. Just to be clear, bankruptcy isn’t an easy answer to your money woes. Instead, this is something that is going to take time and effort. You will have to go through counseling and take other steps before you will have the case finished. There are several considerations that you need to think about before you file. These can impact your life now and might have longer-lasting ones. For example, your credit report will reflect the fact that you did seek bankruptcy relief. This alone can make it more difficult for you to get credit in the future. We understand that you might feel like you don’t have any options right now. While bankruptcy isn’t usually anyone’s first choice, it can certainly help you regain control of your finances. Once you have this handled, your stress may decrease so that you can enjoy your life again. If you are ready to file, be prepared to provide an accurate account of your financial situation. The court requires you to do this so that it can determine if you are eligible to file. Don’t worry – we are here to help you with this part of the case, as well as any others that need to be addressed.




