Can I go to jail if I can't pay my bills?
The Quick Answer
Typically, you won't go to jail because you are unable to pay your bills.
The Long Answer
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.