Chapter 7 debt can be almost eliminated. There are exceptions such as alimony and child support, along with a few others, but for the most part it means wiping the slate clean. Once chapter 7 has been filed, creditors are not allowed to contact or harass the debtor. The exception to that is if a creditor gets a stay lifted such as in the case of a debtor having a house with a lien on it. There are federal guidelines as to what can be exempt from being sold and in some states there is an alternate list that can be used. Besides what is on these lists, all of the debtor's assets are liquidated and the money goes to pay off the creditors. Chapter 7 is often called the liquidation bankruptcy. A debtor's spouse may or may not be affected by one's filing of bankruptcy. Much of it depends on what contracts their name is on. If they have their own individual accounts for things, they probably will not be affected. What one is allowed to keep varies from state to state even though there are federal guidelines that can be used. It is something that is best discussed with a good bankruptcy attorney.