My son's father filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy and listed my childbirth expenses as a debt. Can these be discharged in bankruptcy?

Generally, child support can't be discharged in bankruptcy. The federal bankruptcy code states that debts in the nature of support that are to be paid to a spouse, former spouse or child aren't dischargeable. Several bankruptcy courts have ruled that birthing expenses to be paid to a debtor's child's mother, while not being paid to a spouse, former spouse or child, are still "in the nature of support" and can't be discharged. These courts have concluded that the amounts to be paid to the child's mother are debts actually owed to the child and that the nature of the debt is far more important than to whom the debt is to be paid.

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