One of the most important concepts of bankruptcy is the “automatic stay” provided by the bankruptcy code. The automatic stay is the legal protection a person receives after they file for bankruptcy. The day a bankruptcy is filed the automatic stay goes into effect, and this protects debtors from garnishments, repossessions, foreclosures, creditor phone calls, and other collection efforts.

If you have received a summons or been notified of a judgment against you, or had your wages garnished, the filing of bankruptcy will stop those lawsuits and garnishments from continuing.