[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/utility-bills-in-bankruptcy#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/utility-bills-in-bankruptcy","headline":"How Are Utility Bills Treated in Bankruptcy?","name":"How Are Utility Bills Treated in Bankruptcy?","description":"If you\u2019re struggling with unmanageable debts, you might consider filing for bankruptcy. But you may also have questions about the practical effects \u2013 particularly when it comes to bankruptcy and utility bills. So what happens to the utility bill debt you owe? And can utility bills be included in Chapter...","datePublished":"2023-04-05","dateModified":"2025-09-19","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/attorneys\/matis-h-abarbanel#Person","name":"Matis Abarbanel","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/attorneys\/matis-h-abarbanel","identifier":55,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/matis-abarbanel_avatar-96x96.png","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/matis-abarbanel_avatar-96x96.png","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Loan Lawyers, LLC","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/icon-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/icon-logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Utility-Bills-in-Bankruptcy.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/Utility-Bills-in-Bankruptcy.jpg","height":600,"width":600},"url":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/utility-bills-in-bankruptcy","about":["Bankruptcy"],"wordCount":651,"articleBody":"If you\u2019re struggling with unmanageable debts, you might consider filing for bankruptcy. But you may also have questions about the practical effects \u2013 particularly when it comes to bankruptcy and utility bills.So what happens to the utility bill debt you owe? And can utility bills be included in Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcies? The answers to those questions depend on several factors, including what chapter you file under.What Happens to Past-Due Utility Bills in Bankruptcy?Past-due utility bills are unsecured debts \u2013 debts you owe that aren\u2019t tied to collateral. There are no physical items for your creditor to take possession of if you don\u2019t pay these debts. Unsecured debts are the opposite of secured debts, such as mortgages and auto loans backed by collateral like homes and vehicles. If you fail to pay your loans for secured debts, your lender can take away the collateral \u2013 for example, by foreclosing on your house or repossessing your car.Unsecured debts can be discharged under both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. However, each chapter’s process \u2013 and what that means for the filer \u2013 varies considerably.How Are Utility Bills Treated in Chapter 7?In a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, your non-exempt possessions are liquidated to pay off your unsecured debts. Creditors of secured debt can also take back the collateral in your possession. Any debt left over \u2013 including your utility debt \u2013 is discharged, meaning you no longer have to pay it.However, you must pay your new monthly bills throughout the process to retain service. The utility company can also require you to provide \u201cadequate assurance of payment,\u201d such as prepayment for service or cash deposits.How Are Utility Bills Treated in Chapter 13?When you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you create a three- to five-year repayment plan to pay back some or all of your debts \u2013 including unsecured debts like past-due utility bills. During your repayment plan, you must make regular payments to a bankruptcy trustee. The trustee then distributes the money to your creditors, including utility companies. You might not need to repay 100 percent of your past-due utility bills or other unsecured debts during Chapter 13. However, these debts will not be fully discharged unless you complete your court-approved repayment plan.As with Chapter 7, you will need to pay your current utility bills throughout the bankruptcy process to keep your service.Can You Still Get Services from Utility Companies that You Owe?In most cases, you can still receive services from utility companies even if you owe them money \u2013 if you can pay your monthly bills after filing for bankruptcy. The utility company is required to treat you as though you are a new customer. They also\u00a0can\u2019t try to collect past debts\u00a0while you are in bankruptcy.Contact an Experienced Bankruptcy Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale TodayAre you interested in making a fresh financial start through bankruptcy? If so, the bankruptcy attorneys\u00a0at Loan Lawyers are ready to provide the support and guidance you need. Contact our Florida bankruptcy lawyer\u00a0now to discuss the specifics of your situation in a free case review.About the AuthorLatest PostsMatis AbarbanelMatis Abarbanel is the founding partner and senior attorney at Loan Lawyers in South Florida. He focuses his practice on consumer rights, helping homeowners navigate issues such as foreclosure and financial hardship. Matis also brings a wealth of experience from his previous work in personal injury law. As a devout Chasidic Jew, he is committed to making a positive impact in his community and dedicates his efforts to charitable initiatives through his non-profit organization, The Center, which aids at-risk Jewish youth. Matis actively serves clients across South Florida and is passionate about empowering individuals to secure their rights and achieve a better future.When Foreclosure Errors by Lenders Lead to Legal Remedies for Homeowners in Fort LauderdaleWhat Homeowners Can Do When Loan Documents Contain Forged or Altered SignaturesUnderstanding Florida\u2019s Debt Forgiveness Programs and IRS Rules"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"How Are Utility Bills Treated in Bankruptcy?","item":"https:\/\/www.fight13.com\/utility-bills-in-bankruptcy#breadcrumbitem"}]}]