Before you file the bankruptcy petition, whether you are proceeding under Chapter 7 or Chapter 13, you must under credit counseling at a pre-approved credit counseling agency. If you have not completed the counseling, you cannot file the bankruptcy petition. The next steps in your bankruptcy depend upon the type of bankruptcy petition you have filed. If you have filed under Chapter 7, any of your non-exempt assets will be liquidated and distributed to your creditors. However, if you have filed under Chapter 13, you will enter into a repayment plan that will remain in effect over the next three to five years. At the end of either Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy proceedings, any remaining debts will be discharged, and you will no longer be responsible for them, unless you have chosen to reaffirm certain debts, or continue paying them as agreed.