Some debtors confuse the terms bankruptcy dismissal and bankruptcy discharge; however, those terms have very different meanings and consequences for a debtor.  Dismissal means that the bankruptcy case has been closed without a discharge – – creditors can begin collection actions against the debtor as if the bankruptcy case had never occurred.  On the other hand, a bankruptcy discharge means that the debtor has been relieved of most, if not all, of his debts and creditors are barred from collecting these debts.

For more information about discharge in bankruptcy or dismissed bankruptcy cases read, “Bankruptcy Discharge, Dismissal Are Very Different.”