(1) to give an honest debtor a "fresh start" in life by relieving the debtor of most debts and
(2) to repay creditors in an orderly manner to the extent that the debtor has the means available for to repay the creditors
Bankruptcy allows debtors to be discharged from the legal obligation to pay most debts by submitting their non-exempt assets, if they have any, to the jurisidiction of the bankruptcy court for eventual dispersal among their creditors. During the bankruptcy proceeding the debtor is protected from most non-bankruptcy legal action by creditors through a legally imposed automatic stay. Creditors cannot pursue lawsuits, garnish wages, or attempt to force payment while the automatic stay is in effect.
