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Chapter 13 can write off some or all of the non-support debts included in your divorce. But it comes with some potential disadvantages.

Chapter 13 enables you to discharge—legally write off—some or all of any non-support debts included in your divorce. Chapter 7 does not do this.

Chapter 13 can be the best way to deal with a nondischargeable tax debt with a recorded lien: it buys more time, protection, and flexibility.

A recorded tax lien on a tax that already doesn’t qualify to be discharged makes you all the more want to pay that tax. Chapter 7 might help.

Chapter 13 protects you from a recorded tax lien in crucial ways, and can reduce how much you pay on the underlying dischargeable tax debt.

Under certain circumstances a recorded tax lien does NOT require you to pay a dischargeable tax after Chapter 7, or at least not in full.

Chapter 7 and 13 can both prevent the recording of a tax lien. But if the tax qualifies for discharge Chapter 7 is quicker and less risky.

The recording of a tax lien often immediately turns an unsecured debt into a secured one, forcing you to pay what you could have written off.

Being accused of defrauding a creditor is unusual in consumer bankruptcy cases. A creditor would have to jump through significant hoops.

Qualifying for “undue hardship” to discharge (write off) student loans is not easy. But Chapter 13 gives you powerful help over the timing.