The minute you file bankruptcy,all pending repossession activity against you must stop. With limited exception, bankruptcy’s automatic stay creates a legal bar to all creditor activity. Of course stopping the repossession is only the first step. Once you have a little breathing room, you and your lawyer will need to decide if you intend to use Chapter 13 bankruptcy to keep your vehicle and restructure your loan, or if you want to use Chapter 7 to surrender your vehicle (on your terms) and walk away from any obligation on the loan.

The minute you file bankruptcy, you have the right to demand that all creditor harassment must cease.  The automatic stay of bankruptcy, which goes into effect the instant you file, makes all forms of debt collection illegal. Until your bankruptcy is dismissed or discharged, you are protected and no creditor is allowed to contact you.