How long does it take and who will be told?
The Quick Answer
Typically, you can expect your case to take three to four months from the day you file your papers (known as the bankruptcy petition) 'till the day your debt is discharged. For the most part, notices will only be sent to those you owe money.
The Long Answer
But, that doesn't mean that you have to go to court every day for four months. In fact, most likely you will go to court only once. The four month period is basically just processing time and a waiting period. So if you file your bankruptcy petition in January, the case should be over by April or May. It also doesn't mean that you have to keep paying all of your bills until the day the court actually wipes out your debts. You'll read more about this a little later.
A notice will be mailed by the court to those people you owe money to. The notice will tell them that a bankruptcy case has begun, and that they should leave you alone. The court does not send a notice to your boss, your friends, or your relatives, unless you owe money to them. The bankruptcy law states that an employer may not discriminate against you just because you filed for bankruptcy protection.