Filing for bankruptcy can be a good option if you feel overwhelmed by your debts and you are anxious for a fresh start. However, not all debts are dischargeable in a bankruptcy proceeding. If a debt is non-dischargeable that means that it survives the bankruptcy and you will still be legally responsible for repaying the debt even though you filed for bankruptcy. For example, court fees and criminal fines are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. Therefore, if these debts make up the majority of your debt and are the reason you are considering filing for bankruptcy, you should discuss your situation with a bankruptcy attorney. A bankruptcy attorney will help you decide whether filing for bankruptcy is right for you, and may offer suggestions regarding how to make these debts more affordable to you by negotiating with your creditors to lower your monthly payments.