The “automatic stay” stops almost all actions that a creditor may have initiated against you before filing for bankruptcy relief, including garnishment of your wages, attempts to repossess your car, collection phone calls, foreclosure of your real estate, and suits filed in state court.

Many creditors will voluntarily cease collection activity after you inform them that you are filing a bankruptcy petition. After your creditors have confirmed that you have retained a bankruptcy lawyer, it doesn’t make much sense for them to keep paying lawyers and collection agencies to collect on a debt that is about to be discharged in an upcoming bankruptcy filing.