Question On Chapter 7

Question:
I recently filed a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It was successfully discharged. Lately I have been receiving bills from a hospital that was included in the discharge. I suspect that they are creating new account numbers and transferring the balances from the discharged accounts to the new account numbers. Does the Chapter 7 discharge only the account numbers specifically listed, or does it cover all debts owed to that hospital? I am still also receiving bills from a credit card that was also discharged. Should I write them a letter reemphasizing that my debt to them has been discharged? Or should I have my attorney do it? Thank you for your help,

Answer:
The bankruptcy covers all debts owed by you (and your spouse, if included) to the hospital. It doesn't matter how many account numbers the hospital's account receivable department gives you (and, of course, it also wouldn't matter if they changed your account number.) Your old account numbers should be shown on your bankruptcy paperwork. That should help you determine if the hospital is in fact creating new account numbers. You don't have to pay the bills, if the debt was discharged in the bankruptcy. Occasionally debtors (Sears is notorious for this) will try to convince you to keep paying the debt. In both both the hospital's and credit card issuers' case, your debt technically still exists, and (probably) is still shown on their books. However, thanks to your bankruptcy discharge, you are no longer obligated to pay these debts off (although you can pay them off if you are able to at some point in the future.)





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