Ronald Wilcox, Esq.
Bankruptcy-Debt Relief Attorney
(408) 296-0400
2160 The Alameda
First Floor, Suite F
San Jose, CA 95126
Question # 13:
Can I go to jail if I can't pay my bills?
Typically, you won't go to jail because you are unable to
pay your bills.
You can not go to jail merely
because you can not afford to pay typical consumer debts. I have
never had a client go to jail because they couldn't pay their
consumer debts.
Historically, American law
has been loosely based on English law. But even England got rid
of their debtor's prisons in1869. A debtor's prison was a jail
where they would put people who couldn't pay their bills.
Since no debtor's prisons exist in America today, you don't have
to worry about going to jail because you can't pay your typical
consumer debts. Also, you will not go to jail simply because
you filed bankruptcy, however, you may go to jail if you lie on
your bankruptcy petition!
But, keep in mind that if you don't file for bankruptcy a creditor may still sue you for the
money you owe them and try to garnish your wages. Also,
failure to follow a court order, or make child support payments, may
still lead to jail time.
By an act of the United States Congress,
I am a debt relief agent helping people file for bankruptcy and/or
protecting them from collection agency harassment. The determination of the need for legal services, or
debt relief services, and the choice of a lawyer are extremely
important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Law changes from place to place and time
to time. This website is not and is not intended to be an
advertisement outside the state of California. This website is helpful, but is not meant to be legal advice.
Thus, it is not a substitute for meeting with an attorney and
obtaining specific legal advice. No
attorney client relationship has or will be established with Attorney
Ronald Wilcox unless and until a written retainer agreement has been
executed. Ronald Wilcox is admitted in California.
For the most part, this web site only discusses chapter 7 bankruptcy. When the word
"bankruptcy" is used in this web site, it is only referring to chapter
7 bankruptcy. There are other chapters of bankruptcy. These other
chapters may be better for you depending on your particular
circumstances. The chapter you choose to file has many consequences.
To determine which chapter is best in your situation, you should speak
with a qualified bankruptcy attorney.
