If you filed bankruptcy you need to be aware of what to expect. Initially, the filing of bankruptcy papers will place an automatic stay on your assets. This injunction will immediately stop any lawsuit, threats of foreclosure, garnishing of wages and collections. Once you have filed bankruptcy, the claims or rights to payment from your creditors will be dealt with through a trustee. This is particularly true if you are in Chapter 7 or 13 in the United States. A filed bankruptcy will take care of many debts but not those considered by the court as non-dischargeable. In the case of paying off the debts, secured claims will be dealt with before the priority. Priority ranks unsecured claims to determine the order in which they will be paid. Your dischargeable debts will be taken care of within a number of months. Record of the filed bankruptcy, however, will remain part of your credit record for 10 years.