These files document the fact that a client, former client, employee, former employee, or other individual who owes money to the Department of Human Resources has filed for bankruptcy, the type of debt (food stamp overissuance, Aid to Dependent Children overpayment, or educational stipend), and amount owed to the department. The files may contain notices, orders, plans, or other documents from the bankruptcy court; documents from the county department, such as overpayment forms, payment history, repayment agreements, and criminal conviction orders; completed proofs of claim filed by the Legal Office; and correspondence between the above entities, the trustee of the bankruptcy court, and the probation officers. The file may also contain complaints objecting to discharge, motions, default judgments, and other orders. Some cases fall under Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy law. In these cases, a debtor has the court handle the repayment of his debts, usually on a pro rata basis. The court will handle them for not more than five years, then issue a discharge order. In cases falling under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy law, the court issues a discharge order after a few months and all of the debtor's listed debts are cancelled.
