If you feel overwhelmed by debt, know that there are always options. One course of action to consider is a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. There are many benefits to this legal process, including what is known as the automatic stay. The stay effectively stops most collection actions and lawsuits against you.
However, keep in mind that there are certain actions that will not be paused by the stay. Further, creditors do have the option of asking the court to “lift” the stay, which allows a collection activity or lawsuit to move forward during the bankruptcy.